Dr Liam MaguireSchool of Computing & Intelligent Systems Faculty of EngineeringMagee Campus, University of Ulster

The Faculty of EngineeringOne of the largest in the UK and IrelandApproximately 5000 students, 422 total staffBased at Jordanstown, Magee, ColeraineAttracts large income in Research and Consultancy Range of expertise: Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics, Computing and GamesRange of collaborative programmes with Arts: Multimedia Computing & Design; Technology & DesignEngineering can provide technical know-how and design innovation

School of Computing & Intelligent Systems27 academic staffApproximately 600 studentsResearch via Intelligent Systems Research CentreAttracting substantial research fundingInternational Reputation for Bio-Inspired ComputingCourses in Computing, Electronics, Multimedia and Computer Games.

Dedicated to research and development of intelligent computational systems. Behave in a way that humans would consider intelligentEmulate (not replicate) biologyBroad range of application areas industry, consumer, medical, educational etc20 academic staff8 Research AssociatesCurrently 31 PhD studentsMajor externally funded projects - currently working on projects of about 22million

Overview of ISRC Core ActivitiesBio-inspired Intelligent Systems Brain Modeling Brain Computer Interfacing Wireless sensor and location based services Creative technologiesSerious GamesIntelligent Multimedia Intelligent embedded microcontroller systems Self-repairing systemsRe-configurable computing/FPGA systemsIntelligent Image processingCognitive RoboticsHuman Computer and Human Robot Interaction

Examples of Current/Recent Externally Funded ProjectsCentre of Excellence in Intelligent Systems InvestNI/ILEXSenseMaker - EUIntelligent Systems in Process Control CAST project (Seagate)InterWave North/South HEA FundedProculTech InvestNI fundedIntelligent Imaging EPSRC fundedWireless Broadband Project DETI/EU fundedEpiCentre Interreg fundedEURON EU fundedDIESEL EPSRC fundedQUDOS EU fundedSRIF 2 and 3 HEFCE fundedIntelligent Diagnosis, Test and Repair industry fundedSelf-repairing Systems industry funded PhDCompleted/Current 3 Fusion and 6 KTPs

Computing PowerCourtesy: Moravec

Thoughts, Images, Visual & Auditory StimuliNeuronal Activity (firing)EEG Amplification DigitisationFeature Extraction/SelectionClassification / Translation AlgorithmOutput Control SignalsExternal Devices Prosthetic ArmFeedback to help user adapt-optionalCursor control, menu selection, writing BCI

EpiCentreElectronics Production and Innovation CentreSolving practical industrial problemsAccess to specialised equipmentAccess to expertiseNetworking CentreKnowledge CentreSignpostingCritical role of further and higher education institutes on both sides of border

EURON European Robotics Network

From Walled City to Wireless City Broadband Flagship Project Partners:Derry City Council University of Ulster, Faculty of Engineering, MageeNorth West Institute for Further and Higher EducationFunded by: Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Total project ~ 1.4 Million) via EU BSPWireless Demonstration Centre

HEIF Project with Banjax StudiosAnimation companyResearchers in Image Processing MotionCapture hand gestures to control motion of 3D charactersInvestigate use of optical flow techniques in animationFunded via MIDAS and HEIF8

FUSION Project: MeedjaGames Company in DundalkFusion projectRFID location sensitive technologiesFinal application: Supply Chain ManagementDeveloped 2 prototype gamesNoughts and Crosses, Treasure HuntAim to develop middleware for 3rd parties

FUSION Project: MeedjaGames Company in DundalkFusion projectRFID location sensitive technologiesFinal application: Supply Chain ManagementDeveloped 2 prototype gamesNoughts and Crosses, Treasure HuntAim to develop middleware for 3rd parties

Games: Instinct TechnologyInstinct Technology based in Donegal20+ Employees (Games & Tools)Expanding into Northern Ireland - new production studio based in DerryVarsity partnership with SCIS Instinct StudioExploit Tools for teaching and researchPotential KTP applicationAim to secure R&D funding for AI in games

PIXELearning UK games based learning companySpecialises in applying computer game and simulation technologies to:Vocational trainingManagement skills developmentHave submitted two joint funding proposalsDiscussing future collaborationsKTPs AND Joint funding opportunities for R&D projectsDevelop serious game applications and license remote experimentation capability

PIXELearning UK games based learning companySpecialises in applying computer game and simulation technologies to:Vocational trainingManagement skills developmentHave submitted two joint funding proposalsDiscussing future collaborationsKTPs AND Joint funding opportunities for R&D projectsDevelop serious game applications and license remote experimentation capability

SoFI: Song Form IntelligenceJonathan Doherty, Kevin Curran & Paul Mc Kevitt

Error Concealment for Streaming Music Across Wireless Bursty NetworksAims to repair dropouts in wireless music streamsUses self-similarity to repair missing segmentsUtilises MPEG-7 description scheme for analysis and data reductionAccuracy is a Best Effort matching approach

SoFI: Song Form IntelligenceJonathan Doherty, Kevin Curran & Paul Mc Kevitt

Error Concealment for Streaming Music Across Wireless Bursty NetworksAims to repair dropouts in wireless music streamsUses self-similarity to repair missing segmentsUtilises MPEG-7 description scheme for analysis and data reductionAccuracy is a Best Effort matching approach

Research into Automated StoryTelling

Automated StoryTelling

What is possible?Scottish Computer Games industry:Catalyst games course at Univ of AbertayStarted around 1998-99Cluster of games companies around DundeeEmploys nearly 1000 peopleEstimated 50m turnover last yearSDA also supporting start-ups in other citiesHost National Dare-to-be-Digital competitionCreative Technology Centre in North-west?

Current Engineering contributionRange of taught programmes educated workforceVisiting Prof in Computer Games funded by Royal Academy of EngineeringCentre of Excellence in Intelligent SystemsIncreased AI in Games, Serious GamesOngoing research in Intelligent MultimediaContribute to proposal for Creative Technology CentreExploit existing tech transfer mechanisms to support industry

Intelligent Systems

ELECTRONICS PRODUCATION AND INNOVATION CENTREA Technology and Innovation Centre for the North West where practical industrial problems can be solved in partnership between local companies and academia.

A Managed workspace providing local industry with access to specialised equipment, facilities and expertise with the aim of promoting growth and development in the region. Previously local companies would have had to go to Belfast, Dublin or overseas for this type of technology support service. EpiCentre is assisting local companies not only to reduce their costs but also to significantly reduce their lead-times for technology development An environment to help stimulate creativity and development of new ideas. The EpiCentre acts as a networking centre to facilitate knowledge sharing. The Centre also acts as a foresight unit, monitoring technology trends in industry with the goal of providing training and seminars to local industry and helping to develop a strategy for the future development in the North West.PartnersThe University of Ulster Magee The NW Institute of Further and Higher Education The Letterkenny Institute of Technology

Embedded Systems

Range of Xilinx FPGA 10 development systemsFIELD PROGRAMMABLE GATE ARRAYSCypress semi-conductor: PSoC and PRoCPROGRAMMABLE SYSTEM ON A CHIPPROGRAMMABLE RADIO ON A CHIPTEXAS Instruments MSP430 Range

Radio range of ISM band equipment and development systems

Programmable Logic Controllers