Dr Michael Farnsworth

Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering

Research Associate

m.j.farnsworth@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 5250

Full contact details

Dr Michael Farnsworth
Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering
Amy Johnson Building
Portobello Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
Profile

I graduated originally from the biological sciences having pursued a BSc in Biochemistry at Cardiff University before undertaking a MSc in Computer Science at the University of the West of England (UWE). I continued with my interest in biologically inspired computation, undertaking a PhD at Cranfield University on the evolutionary design optimisation of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS). I continued on with this theme as a researcher of a number of projects throughout my time at Cranfield University, ranging from autonomous maintenance and robotics, self-healing systems, manufacturing informatics and process optimisation.

In my current role as a research associate within the ACSE I research and develop digital, electronic and robotic solutions for automation within manufacturing and shop floor environments. The goal is to enable efficient, safe and productive workspaces through the integration of IoT, autonomous systems, machine learning and manufacturing informatics tools and techniques.

Research interests

I am developing a research theme concerned with digital manufacturing and how the distributed resources of IoT and ‘Smart Products’ can augment robotic cognition in this field. Previously I have worked on autonomous maintenance, and how to capture and classify maintenance tasks to allow for the development of distributed autonomous solutions and the application and development of self-healing systems. The core of this research is centred on my interests in biologically inspired computing, whether it be evolutionary computation, machine learning and AI, or robotics and cognitive neuroscience.

My work is characterised by strong industrial collaboration, having worked with companies such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Bombardier Transportation, Airbus, Meggitt PLC and this is supported by excellent links with universities and research organizations worldwide.

Grants

RCUK - ‘Interdisciplinary climate modelling for the manufacturing sector’ in collaboration with Bristol University - 2016

EPSRC Impact Acceleration Award on ‘Self-healing technologies for mechanical and electrical systems’ - 2016.

EPSRC - RECODE Network Feasibility Study ‘SME-Oriented Collaborative Customer Insight Platform for User-driven RdM - SOC-UDRdM’ - 2016