Alex Taylor

Machine learning in Safety Critical Engineering

Project Summary

In collaboration with Rolls-Royce Aerospace, I am researching the applicability of machine learning in safety critical maintenance. I am working on a computer vision system to aid engineers in the borescope inspection process of internal engine components. By framing the problem as anomaly detection, I have been able make considerable progress.

As aerospace engineering is a highly regulated and safety critical industry, this project requires that the AI developed is accountable, responsible, and transparent. There is a focus on understanding “why” an AI does what is does, what guarantees can be made of an AI’s worst-case performance, and how this can be conveyed to regulators.

I am working with data scientists from Rolls-Royce and with experts within the aerospace industry, who can provide world-leading insight into how innovations in machine learning, data science and related technologies can be used in this domain.

Research Interests

I am generally interested in all things data science and AI. I have a particular focus on computer vision and applied machine learning.

Background

MSc Data Science, University of Bath

MEng Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol

One year of experience working in patent law.

Supervisors

Prof Neill Campbell

Dr Sam Bull

Prof Alan Hunter