Category: Researchers

Zongyuan Zhang is a PhD Researcher in the Biomimic Program and is currently researching the following problem: how to use robots with a non-rigidly fixed chassis to perform contact tasks on a much larger workpiece that has been placed arbitrarily on the floor of a factory.

We interviewed Zongyuan recently to find out more about why he does what he does.

 

 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your research with the Centre? Include the long-term impact of what you are doing.

I am Zongyuan Zhang from China. I completed my bachelor’s degree in mechatronic engineering (robot manufacturing direction) in China and later pursued an MSc in robotics in the UK. Currently, I am pursuing a PhD at the Australian Cobotics Centre, researching how mobile robots can perform contact tasks such as grinding and assembly. Through this research, I hope to enhance the versatility of robots, enabling them to efficiently and accurately complete tasks in various production environments, just like humans.

Why did you decide to be a part of the Australian Cobotics Centre?

Humans have undergone hundreds of millions of years of evolution, developing highly efficient and stable task execution capabilities. In contrast, robots have only been developing for a few decades. I am particularly interested in how robots can learn strategies from human task execution. The Australian Cobotics Centre conducts extensive research on human-robot collaboration, with many researchers having deep insights into the connections between humans and robots. By joining the Australian Cobotics Centre, I can further explore how robots can be inspired by human behaviour.

What project are you most proud of throughout your career and why?

Although it may not be the most academically impactful, I am particularly impressed by my project on “using a VR system to remotely control a manipulator for massage.” In this project, I used a VR headset and controllers to remotely control a manipulator to massage a patient. I explored how humans can control robots in an immersive way as if they were using their bodies. I am impressed by this project because, using robots, humans can save a significant amount of physical effort in tasks. This potential for human-robot collaboration has fueled my enthusiasm for future robotics research.

What do you hope the long-term impact of your work will be?

Humans can perform tasks in a variety of complex environments. By using mobile robots and learning from the strategies humans use to perform tasks, I hope robots can be more widely applied in various production environments, not just limited to factory settings.

Aside from your research, what topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?

For example, “The future relationship between robots and humans.” There has always been considerable discussion about whether robots will take over certain human jobs. In my view, this touches on the essence of human existence, which is that existence is humanity’s primary concern. The arrival of robots has resulted in job losses for some individuals, diminishing their sense of existence. However, it also boosts overall societal work efficiency, thus enhancing the efficiency of existence for everyone. From a historical perspective, this aligns with the transition from individuals in early societies obtaining necessary survival goods through hunting to those in industrial societies relying more on the division of labour to secure necessities. This parallels the second law of thermodynamics— the increasing complexity of human society and the decrease in individual existence is natural but warrants exploration.

Mariadas Roshan is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Quality Assurance and Compliance program and is currently involved in an industrial-based cobot automation project.

We interviewed Mariadas recently to find out more about why he does what he does.

 

 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your research with the Centre? Include the long-term impact of what you are doing.

I am a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Quality Assurance and Compliance program (P4) at the Australian Cobotics Centre, based at Swinburne University of Technology. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering and completed my PhD in Robotics, where I focused on developing autonomous ultrasound imaging systems using computer vision and collaborative robots.

At the Centre, my research focuses on integrating collaborative robotics and intelligent vision systems into real-world manufacturing environments to improve quality control, ensure compliance, and enhance human-robot collaboration. I am currently working on an industry-based project that aims to automate and optimise quality assurance in manufacturing. In parallel, I’m involved in projects exploring how collaborative robots can be used for both autonomous and teleoperated ultrasound imaging in healthcare.

I believe that the potential of robots is still underutilized or not fully understood in many real-world applications. My long-term goal is to help bridge that gap, by driving the adoption of robotics across diverse sectors like manufacturing and healthcare. This will ensure that these technologies are accessible, effective, and aligned with real human needs.

Why did you decide to be a part of the Australian Cobotics Centre?

I’ve always had a passion for robotics, which led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering and later a PhD in Robotics. During my PhD, I became increasingly aware that much of the research being done either didn’t reach industry or lacked practical impact. I’ve always been motivated by research that addresses real-world problems and delivers tangible solutions to industry challenges.

When I was looking for a postdoctoral opportunity, the Australian Cobotics Centre stood out because of its strong focus on implementing collaborative robotics in Australian manufacturing. The Centre’s mission aligns closely with my own values, ensuring that cutting-edge research leads to meaningful, real-world outcomes. What also attracted me was the Centre’s diverse, interdisciplinary team, which considers not only the technical aspects of cobot implementation but also the human, organisational, and design perspectives. It’s an environment where I can contribute while also learning and growing alongside experts from various fields.

What project are you most proud of throughout your career and why?

One of the projects I’m most proud of took place during my PhD, when I worked part-time as a mechatronics engineer at a start-up mask manufacturing company at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, Australia had only one local mask production facility, and the manufacturing machines were imported, which meant we had very limited technical support. I was part of the team responsible for designing and deploying the automation of the mask production process, an effort that was both urgent and technically demanding. Despite the limited resources and high-pressure environment, we successfully established a functioning production line. Even though regulatory compliance wasn’t my core area, I also took on the responsibility of overseeing lab testing and navigating the TGA approval process, as our team lacked expertise in that area. It was a demanding but incredibly rewarding experience, especially knowing the direct impact it had during a national health crisis.

Another project close to my heart is one I’m currently involved in is a teleoperated and autonomous collaborative robot system for ultrasound imaging. The goal is to create a solution that can support healthcare professionals and provide better access to diagnostic services in regional and remote communities. I’ve been contributing to this outside of my main projects because I strongly believe in its potential to make a real impact in the healthcare sector.

What do you hope the long-term impact of your work will be?

Through my experience working on industry-focused projects, I’ve come to realise that many companies, especially SMEs, are still hesitant to adopt robotics due to factors like perceived risk, high initial investment, and a general lack of awareness, particularly in Australia.  I hope the long-term impact of my work will be to bridge that gap by demonstrating the real-world value and practicality of robotics across industries.

I want to support wider acceptance and adoption of robots, not just in manufacturing but also in underexplored areas like healthcare, where robotics can have a significant impact. Ultimately, I aim to contribute to a future where robotics is seen not as a complex or risky investment, but as a valuable and accessible tool that can enhance productivity, improve safety, and create better outcomes for people and businesses alike.

Aside from your research, what topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?

Without a doubt, cricket! I’ve been a huge fan since I was young. While I don’t get as much time these days to watch full matches, I still closely follow scores, player stats, and expert analyses. I especially enjoy watching podcasts and technical breakdowns of games, where strategies, player skills, and match dynamics are discussed in depth. Whether it’s team strategies, player performance trends, or predicting outcomes based on pitch conditions and line-ups, I could easily give a detailed and passionate talk on any aspect of the game.

Valeria Macalupú is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Human-Robot Interaction program (P2), sessional educator and interdisciplinary designer at Queensland University of Technology.

We interviewed Valeria recently to find out more about why she does what she does.

 

 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your research with the Centre? Include the long-term impact of what you are doing.

I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Human-Robot Interaction program (P2). I am also an industrial designer at heart, which was my bachelor’s degree in Peru. My research background is in co-designing social robots, particularly for aged care and service environments. Over the last 5 years, my research journey has focused on how design impacts robot acceptance, interaction, and integration in human spaces.

At the Centre, I contribute to shaping how cobots are designed for real-world use, ensuring they align with human needs, habits, workflows, and expectations. The long-term goal is to develop truly integrated robots into workplaces and society, making them more intuitive, accepted, and useful.

Why did you decide to be a part of the Australian Cobotics Centre?
I was drawn to the Centre because of its collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to robotics. My work sits at the intersection of design, robotics, and environment interaction, and the Centre provides a unique space to bridge these fields. The amazing work done at Program 2 allowed me to extend my knowledge across aged care and pedagogical areas to healthcare and manufacturing ones, which fills me with excitement.

Being part of a team that includes engineers, designers, and industry partners allows me to explore how we can design robots that truly work for people, not just technologically but socially and practically.

What project are you most proud of throughout your career and why?

One of my proudest projects is HELPII, where I contributed to researching and designing a social service robot for aged care. The fantastic team at the QUT Centre for Robotics (QCR) created this robot and developed the technology. We were invited to find a real market opportunity in aged care, and through multiple studies and visits to residential aged care facilities, we determined the best applications and tasks for the robot. I highlighted key design decisions that support understanding the real needs of staff and residents and ensuring the technology fits into their daily lives.

What made it meaningful was collaborating across disciplines and bringing the team together to see that robot design comes with many considerations, from colour and material theory to environmental systems and emotional design. Working with roboticists, architects, and aged care professionals to bridge gaps in communication and expectations was a brilliant experience. Particularly visiting and studying a facility with 10 robots in place! This project solidified my passion for HRI and showed me the real-world impact of thoughtful design.

What do you hope the long-term impact of your work will be?

I want to reshape how we design and implement robots in the home, workplaces and public spaces. Technological advancements often drive robotics, but thoughtful design plays a crucial role in ensuring robots are functional, intuitive, and widely accepted.

My goal is to establish better design, adoption, and co-habitation practices, ensuring robots are not just tools but seamlessly integrated into human environments. I hope my work lays the foundation for robots that feel as natural in our world as any other tool we use today.

Aside from your research, what topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?

I could probably talk about design and decor in everyday life and how subtle decisions in design shape our interactions, experiences, and even behaviours. Design is everywhere, from how we intuitively use technology to how spaces influence our emotions. Otherwise, I could go on and on about Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.

We are pleased to welcome Dr Valeria Macalupú as our newest Postdoctoral Research Fellow!

Valeria joins the QUT (Queensland University of Technology) team where she will be working within our Human Robot Interaction program under the supervision of Program co-Lead Associate Professor Jared Donovan!

Valeria will be researching the role of collaborative robots in enhancing manufacturing processes and enabling non-invasive manipulation in surgical settings. Her work aims to bridge the gap between innovative robotic technologies and their practical adoption in industry, with a focus on designing intuitive, user-centered systems.

With a PhD in Interaction Design from QUT and a strong foundation in Industrial Design, Valeria has led multidisciplinary research projects that co-design social and service robots through participatory design, co-design methods, and ethnographic studies. She has collaborated closely with partners in the aged care and robotics industries to create impactful solutions. Valeria’s research interests lie in human-robot collaboration, technology acceptance, and exploring the social dynamics of robotics in real-world environments.

Welcome to the team, Valeria!

Danial Rizvi is a PhD researcher based at the University of Technology Sydney supervised by Gavin Paul on Project 4.4 Data analytics and process validation of collaborative robots and automated processes.

We interviewed Danial recently to find out more about why he does what he does.

 

 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your research with the Centre? Include the long-term impact of what you are doing.

I’m a Robotics researcher working with Collaborative robots in the Quality Control and Quality Assurance Space.

Why did you decide to be a part of the Australian Cobotics Centre?
After completing my undergraduate degree in industrial robotics from Purdue University, I was eager to impact manufacturing. It is astounding how much manufacturing waste contributes to global emissions, and I felt the ACC’s goals closely aligned with mine.

What project are you most proud of throughout your career and why?

The fun thing with my PhD is that I’m constantly working with amazing people on new projects so it’s really hard to pick a favourite. Most notably I was able to improve manufacturing safety by enabling maintenance workers to engage with their tasks more using haptics.

What do you hope the long-term impact of your work will be?

I hope to improve our understanding of traditional manufacturing principles to better leverage robots in reducing manufacturing waste.

Aside from your research, what topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?

I could talk about how Star Trek has consistently improved our understanding of technology and its capabilities while shedding light on what it means to be human.

Bochao Xu is an Associate PhD researcher based at the University of Technology Sydney, and he is part of the Designing Socio-Technical Robotic Systems program at the Australian Cobotics Centre. We interviewed Bochao recently to find out more about why he does what he does.

• Tell us a bit about yourself and your research with the Centre? Include the long-term impact of what you are doing.

I completed my undergraduate studies at UNSW in 2020 with a double degree in mechatronics engineering and commerce. Before I decided to do a PhD, I worked in an industrial robot research institute and an industrial AI company. I started my PhD in February 2023 at UTS and joined ACC in September 2023 as an associate researcher. My main research interest is in how small to medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMMEs) can be supported in adopting technologies. Since joining ACC, my research has also looked into how cobots can be adopted together with other technologies. SMMEs with restricted time, knowledge, and resources face many challenges in adopting not only cobots but also other technologies while focusing on their daily operations. However, adopting technology to raise competitive advantages should not only be a success story for large companies. Therefore, my research aims to address the difficulties and provide guidance for the best practices in technology adoption.

Why did you decide to be a part of the Australian Cobotics Centre?

I decided to join ACC after my supervisor and the centre offered me the opportunity. I am pleased to be part of the large research community to share and communicate my ideas. It is amazing how experts from different disciplines come together to push the research frontier of cobots. I am sure that ACC has made lots of contributions to not only cobotic research but also benefiting the Australian community, and I am glad to be part of the contribution.

• What project are you most proud of throughout your career and why?

My current PhD project is certainly the project that I am most proud of. PhD has allowed me to conduct in-depth investigations of the topic I am interested in and make robust arguments on its importance. Progressing in the PhD project has given me the knowledge and rationales of how I can support the research and society in the field I am passionate about.

• What do you hope the long-term impact of your work will be?

Supporting SMMEs in technology adoption has always been my first priority. One of the requirements that I know I have to fulfil in my PhD study is to create something practical and sustainable even after the completion of my study. As we are in an era of rapid technological developments, my research should not only support the adoption of contemporary technology but also any future technologies. I hope my research can set the baseline and provide equal opportunities to SMMEs who are keen on seeking growth opportunities through technology adoption.

• Aside from your research, what topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?

I usually prepare a script before going to any presentation, as I understand that every presentation is an opportunity for knowledge sharing, and I would not want to miss any important messages and details. I try to imagine how the audience might react while writing the script. Therefore, I have very limited experience with long presentations without preparation. However, I recently had a new experience without much preparation when giving a short talk about the culture of my hometown in celebration of the Moon Festival. I was happy that the audience liked my presentation and thought a presentation without preparation might be doable for me as well. If I were to give another presentation without preparation, it would be about food and cooking, time management, or personal and family accounting, which are my hobbies and interests.

Phuong Tran is a PhD researcher based at the Queensland University of Technology and her project is part of the Collaborative Robots and Humans’ Work project, which is part of the Human-Robot Workforce program at the Australian Cobotics Centre. We interviewed Phuong recently to find out more about why she does what she does.

• Tell us a bit about yourself and your research with the Centre? Include the long-term impact of what you are doing.

I completed my Master of Business in 2018 and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in early 2023 at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). My MPhil thesis focused on organisational justice on digital labour platforms. I worked as a sessional academic at QUT and Griffith University between 2019-2023, and as a Research Assistant in various QUT research projects before commencing my PhD in 2023.

My PhD research project is based at QUT and part of the CSIRO’s Collaborative Intelligence (CINTEL) Future Science Platform. My research seeks to understand the work design implications of working with collaborative robots (cobots) in manufacturing. Understanding the effect of cobot usage on work design characteristics is crucial for assessing their effect on workers’ job satisfaction and turnover intention. This understanding is important in the context of manufacturing sector, which is currently experiencing labour shortages and challenges attracting and retaining talent. At the same time, manufacturers are turning to advanced technologies, such as cobots, to increase production competitiveness. Therefore, it is essential to comprehend the impact of cobots on job satisfaction and turnover intention to effectively manage the integration of cobots into the workplace. This ensures that the benefits of cobot usage for organisations are maximised while minimising potential negative effects on workers.

Why did you decide to be a part of the Australian Cobotics Centre?

I decided to join the Australian Cobotics Centre (ACC) because it offers a unique opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research within a large collaborative community. The ACC brings together researchers from various fields such as engineering, design, and management, and fosters industry engagement, to address complex challenges and changes associated with the integration of collaborative robots (cobots) within the Australian manufacturing. Additionally, my past research focused on digital platform workers’ fairness perceptions, and at the ACC, I can continue exploring the impacts of technology on people and the nature of work.

• What project are you most proud of throughout your career and why?

The project I am most proud of throughout my career is my current PhD research. What makes this project particularly meaningful to me is the personal and professional journey it represents. Balancing the demands of a PhD research project while being a first-time mom has been challenging yet rewarding.  It has provided me with opportunities to develop myself both personally and professionally, teaching me resilience, time management, and the importance of support systems. This experience has not only enriched my skills but also deepened my appreciation for the impact of work-life balance on job satisfaction, a key aspect of my research.

• What do you hope the long-term impact of your work will be?

I hope my work will provide valuable insights to inform organizations on the design and implementation of cobots, enabling them to optimise their cobot usage and/or address associated work design issues. I aspire for my research to inform policies and practices that promote positive and sustainable work environments. I aim for the findings from my research to support the development of strategies to create better-designed work environments, improve job quality, and therefore, enhance overall health and wellbeing outcomes for people.

I also hope the long-term impact of my work will extend to society at large. I would like for it to inform the creation of work opportunities for individuals who might not otherwise have access to them, and thereby contributing to greater social inclusion and independence.

• Aside from your research, what topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?

I would find it incredibly difficult to talk about anything for an hour without proper preparation. However, I imagine my one-hour long presentation would be titled: “The Art of Surviving Sleep Deprivation: Tips and Tricks from a First-Time Mom”.
Topics I might discuss include:

• The science of baby sleep cycles (or why your baby thinks 3AM is a good time for karaoke)
• Decoding baby talk: understanding the difference between “I’m hungry.”, and “I just scream for fun”.

Louis Fernandez is a PhD researcher based at the University of Technology Sydney and his project is part of the Multi-modal Human Robot Collaboration, which is part of the Human Robot Interaction program at the Australian Cobotics Centre. We interviewed Louis recently to find out more about why she does what he does.

• Tell us a bit about yourself and your research with the Centre? Include the long-term impact of what you are doing.

After completing the first year of my engineering course, I knew that I wanted to work on developing cutting edge technology. I have always had an interest in robotics but found that robotics was not a very popular industry in Australia. My experience during my undergraduate degree working for different robotic companies in Australia was that most of the designs and technology were ‘standardised’ in a sense that many designs were extremely similar across different projects and the tasks involved in robotic related jobs were repetitive and monotonous. This led me towards the path of doing a PhD. My research with the Centre aims to develop frameworks that enables more effective, efficient and safer collaboration between human and robots by looking into ways that can help robots’ human actions or motions through lightweight data.

Why did you decide to be a part of the Australian Cobotics Centre?

Being a part of the Australian Cobotics Centre allows me to work on developing cutting edge technology that can be used to solve problems in the industry that have no clear solution. Furthermore, being part of the ACC allows me to add on the foundational knowledge that would enable humans and robots working together.

• What project are you most proud of throughout your career and why?

Throughout my research career, the project I am most proud of is my undergraduate capstone project. Compared to the current projects I am working on in my PhD, my undergraduate capstone project was relatively simple. However, it was this project which reinforced my passion for robotics and research. It also enabled me to publish a paper to a local robotics conference (ACRA) which was a memorable experience on its own.

• What do you hope the long-term impact of your work will be?

I hope to enable robots and humans working side by side. Hopefully, this reduces the fear that ‘robots will take over our jobs’ and move towards the path where robots are seen as tools or ‘co-workers’ used to assist humans in completing a certain task.

• Aside from your research, what topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?

I’m currently going through a phase where I’m really into camping so I could probably give hour-long presentation on camping.

Read more about Louis’s project titled ‘Multimodal Human Robot Collaboration’ HERE.

Jasper Vermeulen is a PhD researcher based at Queensland University of Technology and his project is part of the Designing Socio-technical Robotic Systems at the Australian Cobotics Centre. We interviewed Jasper recently to find out more about why she does what he does.

• Tell us a bit about yourself and your research with the Centre? Include the long-term impact of what you are doing.

I have always been fascinated by how novel technologies integrate into our daily lives. Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) offers an exciting opportunity to enhance human qualities and working conditions rather than replace human effort. My research focuses on uncovering crucial human factors in HRC applications, particularly manufacturing and robot-assisted surgery. By examining the real-world experiences of individuals collaborating with robots, I aim to design better HRC systems for Industry 5.0. My work seeks to improve the efficiency and safety of HRC, making these technologies more user-friendly and effective in complex environments.

Why did you decide to be a part of the Australian Cobotics Centre?

HRC is a rapidly evolving field with many unexplored avenues. Being part of the Australian Cobotics Centre allows me to contribute to the foundation of future work by enhancing human efforts through Collaborative Robotics. The Centre offers a unique opportunity to foster industry connections and make a direct impact through my research. Collaborating closely with industry practitioners helps bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that my work effectively addresses practical challenges.

• What project are you most proud of throughout your career and why?

I am particularly proud of my current projects with the Australian Cobotics Centre, which focus on human factors in surgery and manufacturing. These studies are grounded in real-world scenarios, like assembly line processes and robot-assisted surgical procedures. By emphasising user experience and leveraging action research with industry partners, I aim to create systems where humans and robots work together seamlessly. This approach not only centres around human needs but also tackles practical challenges, enhancing efficiency and safety in both industries.

• What do you hope the long-term impact of your work will be?

I hope my research contributes to a deeper understanding of human experiences with HRC, aiding both academic researchers and industry practitioners. As robots become more embedded in our daily lives, understanding the human factors involved in this collaboration is crucial. My work aims to ensure that HRC systems are designed to effectively enhance human capabilities and work conditions.

• Aside from your research, what topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?

I could give an hour-long presentation on smart home technology, which I find fascinating. While smart home devices offer convenience, connectedness, and entertainment, they also present privacy risks and surveillance concerns. My extensive research on this topic highlights the need for better education on the potential drawbacks of these technologies. With the rapid growth of smart home appliances, there’s plenty of material to discuss in an hour-long presentation.

Read more about Jasper’s project titled ‘Human Factors in Collaborative Robotics’ HERE.

Yuan Liu is a PhD researcher based at Queensland University of Technology and his project is part of the Designing Socio-technical Robotic Systems at the Australian Cobotics Centre. We interviewed Yuan recently to find out more about why she does what he does.

• Tell us a bit about yourself and your research with the Centre? Include the long-term impact of what you are doing.

In the realm of Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC), particularly in complex and dynamic environments such as assembly lines and robot-assisted surgeries, the quality of human decisions plays a pivotal role in determining outcomes. Several factors influence these decisions, including the physical and cognitive workload experienced by human operators, the design of user interfaces, and the configuration of the workspace. One promising solution for enhancing decision making in these settings involves the adoption of Extended Reality (XR) technologies. XR can offer intuitive communication, effective data visualization, user-friendly interfaces, and facilitate the ergonomic design of workspaces.

My research focuses on identifying the specific factors that impact human decision making within HRC and investigates how XR technologies can be leveraged to improve these processes. This research will address the gap regarding human decision making in HRC, develop a framework of factors affect human decision making, investigate human decision-making process in detail during HRC task, guide future XR design in HRC.

Why did you decide to be a part of the Australian Cobotics Centre?

Prior to commencing my research with ACC, I completed a master’s degree in Interactive Media, where I engaged in a project that piqued my interest in the application of immersive technologies across various fields. This experience laid the foundation for my current research focus. ACC, where I am currently conducting my research, specialises in Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC). This centre is closely aligned with real industry demands and fosters an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together researchers from diverse fields to address all facets of HRC. This multidisciplinary environment is ideal for exploring the integration and impact of immersive technologies within human-robot interaction contexts.

• What project are you most proud of throughout your career and why?

Throughout my research career thus far, I take particular pride in my ongoing projects within both the manufacturing and healthcare industries. These studies are firmly grounded in realistic scenarios-specifically, assembly line processes in manufacturing and robot-assisted surgical procedures in healthcare. My approach is deeply rooted in industry-relevant research, employing Human-Centred Design and Research through Design strategies to ensure that the studies are not only oriented around human needs but also address real-world challenges effectively. This focus aims to optimise user interaction and enhance the practicality of technological implementations in complex and dynamic environments.

• What do you hope the long-term impact of your work will be?

I aspire for my research to make a substantial contribution to the field of human decision making within the context of Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC). My research introduces innovative applications for Extended Reality (XR) technologies in HRC, emphasising their role in enhancing human-in-the-loop systems. This is particularly relevant in the advanced manufacturing sectors of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0, where XR technologies are pivotal in supporting complex decision-making processes. By integrating these technologies, my work aims to facilitate more intuitive and effective collaborations between humans and robots, thereby driving efficiency and innovation in modern manufacturing environments.

• Aside from your research, what topic could you give an hour-long presentation on with little to no preparation?

I could confidently give a presentation on emerging digital technologies, a topic I have pursued with passion for several years. My extensive knowledge, fueled by continuous exploration and reading, along with a solid background in design and technology, enables me to provide a detailed discussion. I can effectively engage an audience by sharing insightful perspectives on how these innovative technologies have profoundly influenced and reshaped our world.

Read more about Yuan’s project titled ‘Augmented and Virtual Reality in Collaborative Robotics’ HERE.