Spotlight profile: Dr Ioannis Stefanakos
Early career researcher Dr Ioannis Stefanakos works on developing techniques/methodologies enabling the safe and effective use of autonomous and self-adaptive systems that are deployed in a range of applied settings including hospital emergency departments and domestic environments. He shares some insightful tips for PhD students and why his work provides a deep sense of fulfilment.
What motivated you to work in the area of safety assurance of autonomous and self-adaptive systems?
What motivates me to work in this area is the growing reliance on autonomous systems in safety-critical domains such as healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation. As these systems interact closely with humans and operate in unpredictable environments, ensuring their safety is not just a technical challenge but also a societal necessity. I am involved in research and innovation projects that aim to bridge the gap between theoretical assurance methods and practical implementations, providing strong evidence that these systems meet their requirements under uncertain conditions.
My research focuses on ensuring that autonomous and self-adaptive systems operate safely and reliably, even in complex and dynamically changing environments. To achieve this, I use a variety of techniques, including formal methods – which model complex systems as mathematical entities – to enable a detailed analysis of their behaviour. This approach helps ensure systems meet desired requirements and identify potential issues more rigorously than traditional testing alone.
A significant aspect of my work also involves modelling and verifying human-robot interactions, particularly in scenarios where robots must adapt their configuration or behaviour at runtime. Ensuring safety during such adaptations is essential for building trust and supporting the responsible and well-informed adoption of autonomous systems. These challenges inspire me to advance current research methods, ensuring that such systems are not only trustworthy and dependable but also capable of instilling public confidence in their deployment.
Can you tell us about one of your current research projects?
One of the recent projects I have worked on is the development of Diagnostic AI System for Robot-Assisted A&E Triage (DAISY), an autonomous decision-support system designed to assist with patient triage in emergency departments (EDs) funded by EPSRC. With growing healthcare demands and medical staff shortages, particularly in emergency settings, DAISY addresses these challenges by streamlining the triage process through a combination of robotic and AI techniques. The system focuses on accelerating the initial stages of ED triage, helping to alleviate the pressures faced by hospital emergency departments.
In this project, I worked as part of the development team that built the DAISY system architecture, implementing a decision-support algorithm as a core component of the system. I also worked on incorporating a robotic solution to guide patients through the system.
DAISY collects four types of patient data: objective vital signs, demographic information, subjective symptoms, and anatomical details. This data is gathered using medical devices and patient self-reporting and is processed through a rules-based decision architecture and the decision-support algorithm. The system provides clinicians with potential assessments, suggested investigations, treatments, and referrals. DAISY is designed to be transparent and ensure that clinicians remain in control, making its decisions easy to understand and aligned with how human clinicians would make them, which helps build trust in its use. DAISY is currently deployed at Scarborough Hospital in the ED for a feasibility study to evaluate its effectiveness in a real-world setting.
What aspect of your work are you most excited about?
The aspect of my work that excites me the most is its practicality, particularly seeing theoretical approaches come to life in real-world applications. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness how our efforts at the Centre translate into tangible solutions that enhance the safety and reliability of autonomous systems across domains. For instance, another project that I have worked on is Ambient Assisted Living for Long-term Monitoring and Interaction, aimed to enable elderly individuals with mild cognitive or motor impairments to maintain an independent lifestyle with the help of assistive robots. My research focused on synthesising techniques for safe navigation and interaction with humans in the environment, ensuring that the system supports patients in a safe and reliable manner.
The ongoing project 'Robotic Posture Assistance for Universal Breast Screening Access' addresses health inequalities in breast cancer screening by exploring the use of a dual-arm robotic system to assist individuals with limited or no upper body strength in achieving the correct positioning for mammography. This robotic system is being designed to be safe, effective, and to prioritise client comfort and dignity during the screening process and is funded by Cancer Research UK. My role centres on modeling the probabilistic behaviour (the stochastic characteristics, which refer to aspects involving randomness or uncertainty) of the robotic system and its operating environment. This involves conducting a comprehensive safety analysis guided by technical specifications derived from established safety mechanisms and industry guidelines. These efforts are further complemented by insights from existing literature and consultations with radiologists, roboticists, and other stakeholders. The safety analysis informs the modeling process by identifying potential risks and defining safety requirements to support the development of a reliable and safe operational framework.
Bridging the gap between theory and practice not only demonstrates the effectiveness of our methodologies but also provides me with a deep sense of fulfilment, knowing that my work addresses real societal challenges.
What is it about working at the Centre that most appeals to you?
What appeals to me most about working at the Centre is the multidisciplinary nature of the team. Collaborating with experts from diverse fields including law, philosophy, computer science, and robotics, among others, creates a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment. Additionally, we work closely with external collaborators, both academics and industry professionals (e.g. NHS York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals, PAL Robotics), which further enriches our research. This blend of perspectives ensures that our research addresses not only the technical challenges of autonomous systems but also the broader ethical, legal, and societal implications of their deployment. The diversity of expertise fosters a holistic approach to solving complex problems, ensuring that our solutions are both technically robust and ethically sound.
What advice would you give a PhD student just starting out in your field?
My advice is to embrace curiosity while maintaining a balance between theoretical understanding and practical application. Start by thoroughly exploring foundational concepts and methods, as a strong theoretical base is crucial for addressing the complex challenges of autonomous and self-adaptive systems. At the same time, don’t hesitate to engage with real-world problems early on, whether through case studies, industry collaborations, or interdisciplinary projects, as these experiences provide valuable context and direction for your research.
Be open to learning from other disciplines, and building relationships with peers from diverse backgrounds can broaden your perspective and spark innovative ideas. Patience and resilience are also crucial as research comes with its challenges, but staying focused on the potential impact of your work will keep you motivated. Celebrate small milestones, seek feedback regularly, and remember that even the smallest contributions are meaningful steps toward progress.
Finally, where can we find you when you’re not working?
When I’m not working, I focus on staying physically active to balance the time spent in front of a computer. I enjoy CrossFit sessions at the gym and hiking on nature trails, both of which help me recharge and maintain a healthy balance. I’m also a big fan of live music and love attending concerts and discovering new bands.