Post-doctoral position. IBISC/University of Evry/FRANCE

Post-doctoral position
(FP7-European project: DigitalOcean RSME 2011-2012)

Multimodal human robot interaction in mixed reality environments: application to DigitalOcean project.


The IBISC laboratory (University of Evry) is currently offering a post-doctoral researcher to work on an EC funded project entitled "DigitalOcean”. The research topics are:

- Virtual Reality, Augmented and Mixed Reality
- Telerobotics

Post-doctoral position available from 2011/03.

(Remuneration: 2100 ~2500 Euro NET/month).

Mission:
We interested to investigate: the combination of multimodal human robot interaction (audio, video and haptic) with mixed reality to teleoperate underwater robots (ROV or LAUV).

1) Mixed reality content:

This task is to study and develop a mixed reality (MR) module that allows mixing the actual images (sent by a camera on the ROV) with the virtual 3D model of the submarine site to explore. The main objective is therefore the visualization of the mixed reality contents. To do this we will in a first time study and propose algorithms for camera calibration and real-time registration (overlaying) virtual models and real images. Next, we will put forward a generic software architecture that will be used for both two types of demonstrators: WWW-based demonstrator (for the general public) and the multimodal teleoperation through a semi-immersive mixed reality platform.


2) Multimodal human-robot interface (a semi-immersive demonstrator)

The main objective of this task is to propose a more intuitive and multimodal Human-Robot Interface (audio, video and haptic). This multimodal interface will provide a way to interact with a remote robot (ROV) leveraging all of human sensory channels. A stereoscopic displaying (online 3D video) will provide a better visualisation of the remote real site. A virtual stereoscopic visualization (3D virtual model of the underwater site and virtual ROV) will allow learning, preparing exploration paths etc., to explore virtually a submarine environment before exploring the real environment with the real ROV.
A 3D interaction using haptic interfaces such as a SPIDAR (Space Interface Device for Artificial Reality) will allow user to feel the ROV during the exploration. The simulated audio feedback of ROV motors during the real exploration is other sensory information that can be used as a complementary feedback with the video and it is useful to enhance human presence during the tele-exploration missions. The proposed demonstrator will be a mixed reality mobile platform that can be transported during the presentations, meetings, conferences, etc.
It may be connected to an internet network from any place to perform real/virtual or mixed tele-exploration missions.

Candidates profile:
The candidate should have a Ph.D. in Computer Science /Robotics/Computer vision or
equivalent with a good experience in Human Computer Interaction or Human Robot
Interaction. He/She should be motivated by cooperation with our European partners.
Experience with haptic interaction is appreciated.


Contact:

For more information please contact me.

Send your CV and a motivation letter before February 15th, 2011 to:

Samir OTMANE
Samir.Otmane@ibisc.univ-evry.fr
Laboratoire IBISC, 40 rue du Pelvoux 91020 Evry, France
Phone : +33 1 69 47 75 92.