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Associate Professor Chris McCarthy

Associate Professor (Computer Science)

Biography

Chris McCarthy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computing Technologies within the School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies (SoSCET).  His research is in computer vision algorithms for robotics, intelligent transport systems and human-computer interaction (in particular for assistive technologies).  Chris currently serves as Stream Leader in the Swinburne Smart Cities Research Institute, leading the Intelligent Transport Systems and Infrastructure stream.   Chris is also a Chief Investigator Australian Cobotics Centre,  an Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Collaborative Robotics in Advanced Manufacturing, funded by the  Australian Research Council.

Chris received his PhD from the Australian National University in 2010, during which time he worked on novel biologically-inspired computer vision for robot navigation (based on honeybee vision). He also spent 6 months as a visiting researcher with the Italian Institute of Technology's Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences group (Genova) (2007) where he worked on optical flow based threat detection algorithms as part of the EU-funded iCub humanoid robot project.

After completing his PhD, Chris joined NICTA's Computer Vision Research Group in Canberra where he developed and tested novel computer vision and visualisation algorithms to support enhanced functional outcomes in blind patients implanted with a retinal prosthesis, also known as bionic eyes, as part of the federally-funded Bionic Vision Australia (BVA) consortium. In 2013, he relocated to Melbourne as a visiting researcher at the Bionics Institute and the University of Melbourne's Centre for Neural Engineering, where he worked closely with BVA's three patients implanted with a prototype 24 channel retinal prosthesis.

Chris has also held various teaching positions including as an Associate Lecturer with The University of Melbourne's Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering (2001-2005), and as an International Fellow with Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Center for Computing Studies in Singapore (1999-2000). Chris holds an honorary position with The Bionics Institute and remains affiliated with Bionic Vision Australia.  Chris also has extensive media experience (both television and radio), including a stint as a regular science reporter on Canberra's community radio science program, "Fuzzy Logic" (98.3 2XX FM).  Over Chris's academic career, he has been formally recognised  for teaching, research, and industry engagement.


Research interests

Human Computer Interactions; Signal and Image Processing; computer vision; prosthetic vision; robot vision; augmented reality; visualisation

PhD candidate and honours supervision

Higher degrees by research

Accredited to supervise Masters & Doctoral students as Principal Supervisor.

PhD topics and outlines

Deep learning for biologically-inspired Visual Control Algorithms : This project seeks to explore how deep convolutional neural networks may be used to reformulate existing biologically-inspired robotic visual control algorothims for rapid perceptuo-motor control

Honours

Available to supervise honours students.

Fields of Research

  • Computer Vision - 460304
  • Human-computer Interaction - 460806
  • Intelligent Robotics - 460205

Teaching areas

Object Oriented Programming;Mobile App Development;Computer Systems;Work-Integrated Learning

Awards

  • 2019, Swinburne, FSET Research Collaboration Across Non-traditional Boundaries Award, Swinburne University of Technology
  • 2018, Swinburne, Excellence in Industry Engagement, Swinburne University of Technology, School of Software and Electrical Engineering
  • 2017, Swinburne, Special Commendation - VC award for Research Impact , Swinburne University of Technology
  • 2016, National, Finalist - National Disability Award - Excellence in Technology, Australian Governemnt - Department of Social Services
  • 2013, International, Best paper award, IEEE workshop on mulitmodal and alternative perception for vision impaired people
  • 2005, Other, Excellence in Teaching , The University of Melbourne
  • 2004, International, Student Fellowship Award, International Foundation of Robotics Research

Publications

Also published as: McCarthy, Chris; McCarthy, C.; McCarthy, Christopher; McCarthy, C. D.; McCarthy, Chris D.; McCarthy, Christopher D.; Mccarthy, C.; Mccarthy, Chris; Mccarthy, Christopher
This publication listing is provided by Swinburne Research Bank. If you are the owner of this profile, you can update your publications using our online form.

Recent research grants awarded

  • 2022: (Growth SUPRA) Reliable and natural vision-based interfaces for control and communication with autonomous systems *; The University of Adelaide
  • 2022: Implementation of a scalable platform to enable regulated digital health product development and commercialization *; Digital Health CRC
  • 2021: ARC Training Centre for Collaborative Robotics in Advanced Manufacturing *; ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
  • 2021: Artificial Intelligence as the Most Valuable Player: Enabling cyber-human teams to achieve decision superiority *; Defence Science Technology Group
  • 2021: Development of a video-based system for real-time public space patronage analytics *; iMOVECRC
  • 2021: Digital platform for tracking home COVID-19 test results *; GRETALS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
  • 2021: Estimation of freight origin-destination activity using video analytics and traffic counts *; iMOVECRC
  • 2021: Improving Sensory Substitution Low Vision Devices Through Novel Software Applications *; The University of Melbourne
  • 2021: Mobile 5G IoT Solution for Data Driven Road Asset Maintenance in Brimbank *; Australian 5G Innovation Initiative
  • 2021: Replacement Bus Patronage Counting and Wait Time Measurement *; iMOVECRC
  • 2021: Video-based analytics for monitoring patronage and usage patterns of parklets in the municipality of Boroondara *; Boroondara City Council
  • 2020: A novel approach for mobile identification and counting of microbial cells *; GRETALS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
  • 2020: Bionic Vision Technologies *; Bionic Vision Technologies Ltd Pty (BVT)
  • 2020: Integration of Novel Architectures for Human Robot Team *; Commonwealth Department of Defence Research Contracts
  • 2019: A video-based passenger counting system *; iMOVECRC
  • 2019: Development and Trial of an IoT Solution for labelling consistency and integrity in meat export supply chains *; Australian Meat Processor Corporation
  • 2019: Development of portable parasite identification and counting prototype system for farms *; Innovation Connections
  • 2018: Bus replacement services for rail passenger service disruptions *; iMOVECRC
  • 2017: Advanced Interactive Rail Learning *; Workforce Training Innovation Fund
  • 2016: NICTA Scholarship for S Samant *; NICTA Scholarships
  • 2016: Optimising technology to measure functional vision, mobility and service outcomes for people with low vision or blindness *; Melbourne-Sarawak Collaborative Research Development Scheme
  • 2015: Software for humanoid robots to support rehabilitation for children. Student Scholarship Agreement with Felip Marti Carrillo. *; National ICT Australia

* Chief Investigator