AI and Data Science at University of Northampton

Academics from our AI team have been awarded three Knowledge Exchange funds to work with business partners on innovative AI projects. All projects will be employing UON undergraduate and postgraduate students as Research Assistant to take on research and development tasks.

Swimming with AI dolphins

The first Knowledge Exchange project will deliver an innovative VR therapy “Swimming with AI Dolphins” which offers a unique interactive underwater experience to ease the symptoms of mental illness with the Northampton-based company VR Therapies which has provided private therapy sessions for over 1000 people.

With our expertise in game art and machine learning, the application will be transformed with interactive features and an AI-assisted dolphin character. We will use hand/eye tracking sensors and integrated microphones of new-generation headsets to capture and model user movements. Machine learning will be employed to develop an “AI dolphin” that can respond to viewer activities (such as voice and hand gestures) with natural movements.

Feasibility study of an innovative VR-based psychotherapy

This Innovation and Commercialisation project will conduct a feasibility study of an innovative VR psychotherapy as a pathway to commercialisation. The VR application automates comprehensive psychotherapy that is widely used for life-changing treatment of anxiety disorder and depression. This revolutionary design can help improve public access to the therapy amid ongoing challenges in NHS. We will conduct a small-scale user trial, assisted by partnering health institutions (St Andrew’s Healthcare and Cardinal Clinic).

Evidence from the study will inform a commercialisation strategy for the effective delivery of services to patients, working within the NHS delivery structures, and maximising the number of patients that benefit from this work.

Next-Gen Warehousing: AI-Powered Solutions for Labour and Inventory Management

Our vision is to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies to overhaul warehouse operations. By fusing extensive data from supply chains, inventory, sales, and market trends, our team is crafting a smart inventory and labour management system that lays the groundwork for a scalable commercial solution. The anticipated outcomes? Substantial cost savings, increased operational efficiency, a smaller carbon footprint, sharper decision-making, and greater customer satisfaction.