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Mr

Muhammad Aitsam

Research Fellow

School Of Computing and Digital Technologies

ABOUt

I am a Research Fellow at the Centre of Excellence for AI and Robotics (CEAIR), Sheffield Hallam University. My work is primarily focused on the MSCA Horizon 2020-funded project, PERSEO-ESR9, which aims to enhance robot autonomy and cognitive functions through advanced neuromorphic technologies.

My research explores the use of event cameras and neuromorphic computing to estimate cognitive load, thereby improving real-time human-robot interactions. This work extensively involves pioneering applications of event cameras in contexts where minimizing power consumption is essential.

Throughout my PhD, I have developed expertise in working with state-of-the-art neuromorphic hardware such as SpiNNaker, Loihi, BrainScale, and Synsens, implementing practical applications like gesture classification. These projects underscore the potential of neuromorphic technologies in achieving high computational efficiency with low power usage.

Currently, I am leading a cutting-edge project focused on real-time cognitive load estimation using multiple parameters. Simultaneously, I am also working on integrating the ARI Robot with SpiNNaker neuromorphic hardware and event cameras, to push forward the capabilities of autonomous systems in speed and efficiency.

My research propels theoretical advancements in cognitive science and robotics and has significant practical implications for the design of intuitive and sustainable human-robot interfaces.

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • Early Stage Researcher - MSCA project PERSEO
    Sheffield Hallam University, School of Computing and Digital Technologies, Sheffield, United Kingdom1 Oct 2021 - 30 Sep 2025
  • Research Fellow
    Sheffield Hallam University, Centre of Excellence for AI and Robotics (CEAIR), Sheffield, United Kingdom1 Oct 2025 - present

NON-ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • Research Intern
    BMW (Germany), Emerging Technologies Group, Munich, Germany1 Feb 2021 - 31 Jul 2021
  • Research Assistant
    Embedded System Technologies (EST), Rawalpindi, Pakistan1 Jun 2017 - 30 Jun 2018

DEGREES

  • BSc Electrical Engineering (Electronics)
    University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Taxila, Pakistan1 Mar 2013 - 30 Apr 2017
  • Masters Electrical and Software System Engineering
    RWTH Aachen, Germany & Thai-German Graduate School, Thailand, Aachen & Bangkok, Germany18 Aug 2018 - 30 Nov 2020
  • PhD in Computing
    Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom1 Oct 2021 - 31 Oct 2025

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Entrepreneur Competition Winner 2025 (£1300)
    Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom
  • Outstanding Participation Award (USD 500)
    SpikeCV Competition at IJCAI 2025
  • Best Presentation Award
    Sheffield Robotics Pitch Competition 2024
  • Best Poster Award,
    Sheffield Hallam University, I2RI Winter Poster Event 2024
  • Funding Box Hackathon Winner, 2024
    Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • IOP Publishing Outstanding Reviewer Award, 2023, 2024
    Institute of Physics, London, United Kingdom
  • MSCA Grant - PERSEO
    MSCA Horizon 2020, Grant Agreement No. 955778
  • DAAD Masters Funding Program
    German Academic Exchange Service, Bonn, Germany

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING

  • Teaching Skills for Doctoral Students
    Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom
  • Doctoral Supervisor Development Programme
    Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom
  • PERSEO Residential Workshop: Interaction Technologies for Responsible Healthcare
    University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • PERSEO Residential Workshop: Entrepreneurship, exploitation of results, and career development
    Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

LANGUAGES

  • English
    Can read, write, speak, understand and peer review
  • Urdu
    Can read, write, speak, understand and peer review
  • Hindi
    Can speak, understand and peer review
  • Panjabi; Punjabi
    Can speak, understand and peer review
  • German
    Can read and understand

DISCIPLINE (REF UOA)

  • Computer Science and Informatics

AVAILABILITY

  • Academic collaborations
  • Research degree supervision
  • Media enquiries

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

  • 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
  • 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

FIELDS OF RESEARCH