Digital twin creation for human robot collaboration research

Overview

Collaborative robots and extended reality (XR) technologies are becoming more prevalent in our industries and daily interactions. Advancements in augmented reality and virtual reality provide better options for immersive human-robot interaction experiences.

This project will explore the use of digital twin environment to display and allow interaction in real-time with a robot and objects. A digital twin is a digital counterpart of a real physical environment or object.

Aims

The aims of our project is to create a digital twin that simulates a real working environment, and will allow a user to design their workspace for sharing and collaborating with a robot on a defined work task.

Research activities

You will be mapping and creating a digital replica of a specified work areas and objects within a real factory located near Brisbane. You may have to visit the site to measure objects or landmarks within the environment to aid in making an accurate digital twin. Photos, video, lidar scans, and architectural drawings may be made available.

Outcomes

Project outcomes will include accurately modelled 3D assets that can be used in a games engine such as Unity or Unreal Engine 5.

These assets should contribute to a modelled replica of a real manufacturing environment. 3D assets of a selection of objects found in the chosen environment.

Skills and experience

You must have:

• 3D modelling skills.

It is preferred that you have:

• experience in rigging
• animation preferable (e.g. Blender or similar software); and
• experience with designing asset materials (e.g. Substance 3D Designer or similar).

It is desirable for you to have:

• some coding skills, or
• experience using:
  • Unity
  • Unreal Engine, or
  • blueprint in Unreal Engine.

Keywords

• digital twin
• 3d models
• cobots
• AR
• VR
• games engine
• interaction design

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.