My name is Md Nazial Kadir, PhD student at IMT Atlantique Brest within the SEED MSCA COFUND program.
Who are you and what is your background?
My name is Md Nazial Kadir, and I am from Bangladesh. I completed my undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Engineering at BRAC University. Following that, I joined the Erasmus Mundus IMLEX program, where I had the incredible opportunity to study at the University of Eastern Finland, Jean Monnet University in France and Toyohashi University of Technology in Japan. Experiencing three different countries and academic environments was an enriching journey, exposing me to diverse cultures, perspectives and cutting-edge approaches to technology. This multidisciplinary program deepened my expertise in virtual and mixed reality, computer graphics and human-computer interaction, among other areas. After graduating from IMLEX in October 2023, I worked as a VR research intern in Tokyo before returning to France to begin my PhD journey at IMT Atlantique.
What is your PhD research/ topic about?
My PhD research focuses on enhancing teleoperation systems for rover missions in deep space by addressing key challenges inherent to extreme environments. These challenges include limited field of view, restricted motion, latency due to vast distances, absence of natural proprioceptive feedback and bandwidth constraints. Such limitations can reduce situational awareness and operator performance, leading to errors or inefficiencies during missions.
To tackle these issues, I aim to develop innovative solutions using XR environments and AI-driven assistance. This involves creating virtual simulations to study the effects of these constraints, conducting user experience studies to assess perception and performance, and designing technical aids like AI algorithms for real-time decision support and sensory feedback systems. Ultimately, my research aims to advance the field of human-robot collaboration and contribute to the success of future space exploration missions.
What are the big challenges to be tackled and possible future impacts?
My research addresses the challenges of teleoperating rovers in extreme environments like deep space or underwater. Key issues include limited situational awareness due to constrained fields of view, latency from vast distances, and the absence of natural proprioceptive feedback. These conditions can impact operator performance, leading to errors or inefficiencies during critical exploratory or construction missions.
To tackle these challenges, I focus on developing XR-based teleoperation systems enhanced by AI-driven assistance. By combining sensory feedback across multiple modalities and leveraging AI for real-time decision support, I aim to improve operator perception and mitigate the effects of latency and sensory limitations.
The findings of this research have broader implications beyond space exploration. They can benefit industries relying on remote operations, such as underwater exploration, disaster response, and deep-sea resource extraction. Furthermore, the insights gained could contribute to advances in human-machine collaboration, sensory augmentation, and decision-making systems in challenging environments, fostering digital and industrial transitions by enabling more efficient and safe remote operations across various sectors.
What is the configuration of your PhD research?
My PhD studies are conducted within the framework of the SEED doctoral training program, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions cofunded program emphasizing interdisciplinary, international and cross-sector experience. As part of a planned 3-year timeline, I will be spending 2 years at IMT Atlantique in France with a secondment of 1 year at the University of Adelaide in Australia. My PhD is co-supervised by Professor Guillaume Moreau and Associate Professor Etienne Peillard with their expertise in XR and human behaviour and the expertise of Professor Anna Ma-Wyatt in human factors and sensorimotor control.
My research will involve a combination of experimental and theoretical work, including user studies, VR development, AI algorithm implementation and data analysis. I will be conducting user studies with human participants to evaluate the effectiveness of different teleoperation systems under simulated and real-world conditions.
The SEED program also promises comprehensive training to solidify our growth during our doctoral journey including scientific skills training, entrepreneurship, career development and more. The journey will also involve visits to industrial partners involved in relevant fields of work. These industrial visits will provide valuable insights into real-world applications and potential career paths in the field of extended reality, space exploration and robotics.
After a few weeks embarked as PhD fellow at IMT Atlantique, what is your first feeling about the programme and your institution?
My initial weeks at IMT have been a welcoming experience. With encouraging supervisors, supportive coordinators and amicable colleagues, the adjusting period often required of a new workplace felt short lived. The program itself encourages great flexibility in the research work itself, where the direction and tasks can be adjusted based on the individual with guidance from the supervisors. Hence, self-driven studying and planning is encouraged, fostering the independent research skills expected of a PhD candidate and future doctor of philosophy. The city also boasts a large number of research institutions with frequently held gatherings and open science exhibits, creating a holistically collaborative environment.
I am also impressed by how well equipped the campus life is with its many academic and sports facilities, with a gymnasium close at hand offering equipment for any number of sports and training activities. And, with a beach only minutes away, living on campus has been a comfortable experience. While there are obvious challenges living in a foreign country without prior knowledge of the language, most people I interact with have been comfortable communicating with English, and with weekly French courses and some self-motivated studying, I’m well on my way to overcoming the language barrier.
I hope to make the most of this opportunity provided by the SEED program and eagerly look forward to an enriching academic and international experience.
