Have head, will travel

An University of Bradford product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 27, 2005

A PhD student from Bradford will be conducting some rather unusual experiments in many of the region's most picturesque areas this summer.

A PhD student from Bradford will be conducting some rather unusual experiments in many of the region's most picturesque areas this summer.

Rob Pheasant (46) from Shipley, West Yorkshire, is researching how what human beings hear and see influences their ability to find peace and quiet in both urban and rural environments.

To help him do this, he has enlisted the help of an assistant called Marina.

Marina is a mannequin head on a tripod specially modified so it can be used to capture important audio and video data.

The data will be used in experiments later in the year.

The name Marina was chosen because it is a common Russian name and reflects the contribution that the project supervisor, Professor Kirill Horoshenkov, is making in the field of acoustic research.

Pheasant is studying for his PhD within the University of Bradford's School of Engineering, Design and Technology.

He said: "The research I'm doing will eventually provide important data that can be used to help manage our most valued spaces and protect some of the country's most tranquil areas from visual and noise pollution".

"Within the School of Engineering we are lucky enough to have the support of a team of highly skilled technicians who were able to customise the mannequin for me".

"They installed extremely sensitive microphones in each of the ears and a video camera on top of the head".

"Initial trials have shown that the microphones provide a very accurate recording of what a person without any hearing impairment hears and the video camera provides the accompanying visual data".

So far Pheasant has conducted research trials at Burnstall, Ilkley, Bingley and Bradford's Lister Park.

They have bemused onlookers who seem to think the experimental equipment is some sort of elaborate hoax.

Over the next few weeks, Pheasant will be out and about in the region conducting his sensory research in such places as Fountains Abbey, Baildon Moor, Shipley Glen and Lister Park.

He will also be travelling further afield to York, Whitby, Scarborough and the Lake District.

He added: "I would be delighted to explain to any passers by what I'm up to".

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