We have a number of industry funded projects where there are many opportunities for capstone students. It is possible to formulate projects to suit engineering or IT students specializing in areas of mechatronics, mechanical engineering, computer systems, electrical engineering or software. Potential to combine capstone projects with a vacation scholarships or internships exists for high calibre students. Brief descriptions of the projects are given below. For further information contact Prof Gamini Dissanayake (gdissa@eng.uts.edu.au) or A/Prof Dikai Liu (Dikai.Liu@uts.edu.au).
P1: Precision three‑dimensional localization system for underground mining vehicles, offering improved productivity and personnel safety
Prof G Dissanayake, Dr S Kodagoda and Dr S Huang in collaboration with Pempek Systems Pty Ltd
The advanced machine guidance and monitoring technology developed by this project will significantly enhance the partner organisation's capacity as a leading supplier of mining machine control systems. The deployment of such enhanced machine control systems will offer an immediate national benefit to the Australian Mining Industry by dramatically improving productivity and occupational safety. The national interest will also be served by this project's significant contribution to Australia's leadership position as an innovator in technologies for mining and robotics. Furthermore, the research outcomes will help to solve similar positioning problems in hazardous, GPS‑denied environments such as urban search and rescue.
P2. Use of CT Scanned Data in automation of Carcass Processing
Prof KJ Waldron and A/Prof D Liu in collaboration with Machinery Automation & Robotics Pty Ltd.
Meat production is important to the Australian economy. The industry is threatened by inability to obtain sufficient labor for meat processing. Automation represents a potential solution, but brings challenges. Piecemeal automation has produced haphazard interspersing of automated and manual workstations. In meat processing automation, the greatest benefits are obtained when the process is integrated and data is passed down the process line. The outcomes of this project, a practically deployable robotic system, enabling methodologies and a common database, represent a big step towards integrated meat processing and bring enormous economic and health benefits to Australian community.
P3 Efficient Strategies for Coordinating Autonomous Vehicles for Maximising Australia's Waterfront Productivity
A/Prof Dr D Liu, Dr S Huang and Prof G Dissanayake in collaboration with Mr D Pagac and Patrick Stevedores Holdings Pty Ltd
This project will lift the productivity of container terminals by enabling the effective deployment of autonomous vehicles in large numbers. The project outcomes of practically deployable and scalable algorithms, realised as live software, will significantly enhance Patrick Stevedores Holdings' world leading technology and the potential of such automation systems to revolutionise material handling around the globe. Beyond the benefits of technology commercialisation, the project will also benefit Australia economically through extending its leading role in developing autonomous systems for material handling, enhancing the frontier technologies for building Australian industries, and alleviating looming capacity constraints.
P4. A Robotic System for Steel Bridge Maintenance
A/Prof D Liu, Prof G Dissanayake and A/Prof QP Ha in collaboration with NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (NP, RM & TM Directorate)
This research will bring enormous benefits to Australian community by significantly reducing the environmental impact of civil infrastructure maintenance operations, and improving the working conditions of maintenance workers by minimising their exposure to dust containing hazardous materials. Bridges are a key link that supports rural communities. Besides the 426 steel road bridges in NSW, many hundreds steel road/rail bridges and other steel infrastructure in Australia need regular paint stripping and repainting. Australia will gain significant economic and health benefits from commercialising the advanced technologies developed by this project, and become a world leader in developing autonomous systems for infrastructure maintenance.
P5. Enhancing Mobility and Controllability of Powered Wheelchairs
Prof G Dissanayake in collaboration with Mobility 2000 Pty Ltd.
The project aims to develop technologies to enhance two key capabilities of motorised wheelchairs; mobility and controllability. A prototype mechanical arrangement will be built together with sensing and control algorithms to enable a conventional motorised wheelchair to navigate in uneven terrain including roadside curbs. Control strategies that will allow a user who lacks fine motor control in the hand to maneuver a conventional, joystick controlled, motorised wheelchair in a cluttered environment will also be developed. Project outcomes will form the basis for attracting external funding for commercialisation of these devices.