Job Description

CALL FOR PHD STUDENT UNDER ASCRIN SCHEME Date: 15th November 2023 Applications are invited from suitable candidates for PhD admission to work on the following project
sponsored under ASCRIN Scheme, at the Department of CSIS, BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad campus under
the supervision of Dr. Abhijit Das, Dr. Aritra Mukherjee, Dr. Abhishek Sarkar and Dr. Joyjit Mukherjee
(Hyderabad Campus), and Prof.Simon Egerton (La Trobe University Australia). To know more details
about our work please visit: https://sites.google.com/hyderabad.bits-pilani.ac.in/mig/home The Asian Smart Cities Research and Innovation Network (ASCRIN) has been initiated by La Trobe
University, Melbourne Australia, in partnership with premier research institutions in India. Candidates will
be based at BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus throughout his/her candidature and will have the opportunity
to visit La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia for typically one year during the research project. \xe2\x80\x94- Title of the project: \xe2\x80\x9cLow-cost empathetic robotic solution for caregiving (LERSCe)\xe2\x80\x9d. Abstract: Australia and India have an elderly population which is rapidly growing. Studies indicate that almost half
of the current population of over 75\xe2\x80\x99s suffer from physical and/or mental impairments and as a result are in need of a
high level of care. With an increasing elderly population, and limited healthcare professionals, automated AI aided
health caregiving services offer a scalable solution to cope. Moreover, these solutions can be made efficient and
cost-effective. One key service area where need outstrips human resources is in the delivery of
remote-physiotherapy. This project proposes to develop a novel soft-robotic-actuator for the purpose of delivering
remote-physiotherapy in the home. The actuators will be driven by a closed loop edge AI framework to optimize
service delivery. The edge framework will be self-contained to address privacy and security concerns. Control
models will be trained off-line and run locally on edge capable devices. Machine learning methods, such as deep
learning, will be explored to optimize actuator operations for maximum comfort and service efficacy. The feedback
loop may include facial and audio expressions and information from other sensors such as skin resistance and
pressure to measure performance. Hence, there are two distinct aspects of the project: 1) the development of a
lightweight, low cost soft-robotic actuator 2) the development of an actuator control model which factors user
behavior and emotional feedback. Feedback may be derived from a suite of multimodal sensors including, not not
limited to vision, tactile, skin resistance. \xe2\x80\x94- Duration of the project: 4 years. The student would be spending three years at BITS Pilani Hyderabad
campus and one year at La Trobe University, Australia in the PhD tenure. Fellowship and benefits:

• Rs. 37,000 per month for three years from BITS Pilani, and AUD $28,597 p.a. (2021 rate

likely to be increased) for up to one year during residency at a La Trobe University
campus.

• A La Trobe University Full-Fee Research Scholarship, covering tuition fee relief for up to

four years at La Trobe University

• Return economy airfare between Delhi and Melbourne
• Relevant health benefits during candidature

\xe2\x80\x94- Eligibility requirement: ME/ MTech or equivalent with 70% marks or 7 CGPA in Machine
learning/ computer vision/ Robotics or related disciplines. Essential Qualifications: First class in B.E/B.Tech in computer science/Electrical/ electronics
/Mechanical/Instrumentation & Control or related disciplines and First class or equivalent in M.E/MTech
with/without GATE Qualification. Desirable skills: Basic knowledge of computer vision and knowhow of python and pytorch along with
solid foundation of control system engineering especially linear feedback systems How to apply:Interested candidates with the above mentioned qualification and relevant experience
can send their CV giving detailed information about the educational qualifications, research experience
and published research papers if any, positively by November 22nd, 2023 to
abhijit.das@hyderabad.bits-pilani.ac.in. Note: Please note that only qualified and suitable candidates will be called for an online interview by 28th
November 2023. Dates will be communicated to the selected students.