Dr Ian Howard
Profiles

Dr Ian Howard

Associate Professor Computational Neuroscience

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Dr Ian Howard can be contacted through arrangement with our Press Office, to speak to the media on these areas of expertise.
  • Human sensorimotor control
  • Robotic manipulanda
  • Motor learning
  • Bimanual movement
  • Computational modelling
  • Infant speech acquisition
Biography

Biography

My research covers a range of periods in brain development as well as different motor systems: from the acquisition of speech in infants to the learning of novel arm movement in adults. In addition, I have designed and built a range of novel robotic interfaces which have facilitated research both in our laboratory and in groups in the UK and internationally. I have a background in electronic and electrical engineering, speech science and motor neuroscience, which allows me to adopt a multidisciplinary approach.

Qualifications

Education/Qualifications

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering, B.Sc.(Eng.), University College London 
  • PhD, Speech Fundamental Period Estimation using Pattern Recognition, University College London
  • PostDoc, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge

Professional membership

  • Society for the Neural Control of Movement
  • Society for Neuroscience
  • International Speech Communication Association (ISCA) 
  • MIET

Key publications

Howard IS, Wolpert DM & Franklin DW (2015) 'The value of the follow-through derives from motor learning depending on future actions' Curr Biol 25, (3) 397-401 Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS & Messum P (2014) 'Learning to pronounce first words in three languages: an investigation of caregiver and infant behavior using a computational model of an infant' PLoS One 9, (10) Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS, Wolpert DM & Franklin DW (2013) 'The effect of contextual cues on the encoding of motor memories' J Neurophysiol 109, (10) 2632-2644 Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS, Ingram JN, Franklin DW & Wolpert DM (2012) 'Gone in 0.6 seconds: the encoding of motor memories depends on recent sensorimotor states' J Neurosci 32, (37) 12756-12768 Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS & Messum P (2011) 'Modeling the development of pronunciation in infant speech acquisition' Motor Control 15, (1) 85-117 Author Site Open access
Howard IS, Ingram JN & Wolpert DM (2010) 'Context-Dependent Partitioning of Motor Learning in Bimanual Movements' JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY 104, (4) 2082-2091 Author Site , DOI Open access
View all publications
Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

Module leader for:

  • AINT351Z Machine Learning
  • ROCO219 Control Engineering
  • AINT516Z Topics in Advanced Intelligent Robotics 

Previously module leader for:

  • ROCO224 Introduction to Robotics
  • ROCO222 Introduction to Sensors and Actuators
  • SOFT561 Robot Software Engineering
  • SOFT141 Network Programming

Research

Research

Research interests

I am actively involved in neuroscience research and the study of the human motor system, with particular emphasis on arm and hand movements. This research involves running experiments with people, developing computational models of arm movement control based on control engineering and machine learning approaches

I also design and build physical robotic systems to both investigate and test theories of motor control, as well as building robots to perform useful tasks, with a particular focus on Agri-Tech robots for fruit harvesting.

In addition, I work on speech processing using deep neural networks to estimate characteristics of speech such as characteristics of voicing and estimating the presence of voice pathology.

Publications

Publications

Key publications

Howard IS, Wolpert DM & Franklin DW (2015) 'The value of the follow-through derives from motor learning depending on future actions' Curr Biol 25, (3) 397-401 Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS & Messum P (2014) 'Learning to pronounce first words in three languages: an investigation of caregiver and infant behavior using a computational model of an infant' PLoS One 9, (10) Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS, Wolpert DM & Franklin DW (2013) 'The effect of contextual cues on the encoding of motor memories' J Neurophysiol 109, (10) 2632-2644 Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS, Ingram JN, Franklin DW & Wolpert DM (2012) 'Gone in 0.6 seconds: the encoding of motor memories depends on recent sensorimotor states' J Neurosci 32, (37) 12756-12768 Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS & Messum P (2011) 'Modeling the development of pronunciation in infant speech acquisition' Motor Control 15, (1) 85-117 Author Site Open access
Howard IS, Ingram JN & Wolpert DM (2010) 'Context-Dependent Partitioning of Motor Learning in Bimanual Movements' JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY 104, (4) 2082-2091 Author Site , DOI Open access

Key publications are highlighted

Journals
Articles
Gippert M, Leupold S, Heed T, Howard IS, Villringer A, Nikulin VV & Sehm B (2023) 'Prior movement of one arm facilitates motor adaptation in the other' The Journal of Neuroscience , DOI
Gippert M, Franke L, Heed T, Howard I, Villringer A, Sehm B & Nikulin V (2023) 'P-20 Motor imagery of linked movements enhances motor adaptation' Clinical Neurophysiology 148, e18-e18 , DOI
Gippert M, Leupold S, Heed T, Howard I, Villringer A, Nikulin V & Sehm B (2023) 'P-94 Prior movement of one arm can facilitate motor adaptation in the other' Clinical Neurophysiology 148, e50-e51 , DOI
Terbeck S, Bacon A & Howard I (2022) 'Assessing reactive violence using Immersive Virtual Reality' PLoS One 17, (5) , DOI Open access
Howard IS, Franklin S & Franklin DW (2020) 'Asymmetry in kinematic generalization between visual and passive lead-in movements are consistent with a forward model in the sensorimotor system' PLOS ONE 15, (1) e0228083-e0228083 , DOI Open access
Francis KB, Gummerum M, Ganis G, Howard IS & Terbeck S (2019) 'Alcohol, empathy, and morality: acute effects of alcohol consumption on affective empathy and moral decision-making' Psychopharmacology , DOI Open access
Francis KB, Gummerum M, Ganis G, Howard IS & Terbeck S (2017) 'Virtual morality in the helping professions: Simulated action and resilience' British Journal of Psychology 109, (3) 442-465 , DOI Open access
Francis K, Terbeck S, Briazu R, Haines A, Gummerum M, Ganis G & Howard IS (2017) 'Simulating Moral Actions: An Investigation of Personal Force in Virtual Moral Dilemmas' Scientific Reports 7, (1) 0-0 , DOI Open access
Howard IS, Ford C, Cangelosi A & Franklin DW (2017) 'Active lead-in variability affects motor memory formation and slows motor learning' Scientific Reports , DOI Open access
Francis KB, Howard C, Howard IS, Gummerum M, Ganis G, Anderson G & Terbeck S (2017) 'Correction: Virtual Morality: Transitioning from Moral Judgment to Moral Action?' PLoS ONE 12, (1) e0170133-e0170133 , DOI Open access
Francis KB, Howard C, Howard IS, Gummerum M, Ganis G, Anderson G & Terbeck S (2016) 'Virtual Morality: Transitioning from Moral Judgment to Moral Action?' PLOS ONE 11, (10) 0-0 Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS & Franklin DW (2016) 'Adaptive tuning functions arise from visual observation of past movement' Scientific reports Publisher Site , DOI Open access
Messum P & Howard IS (2015) 'Creating the cognitive form of phonological units: The speech sound correspondence problem in infancy could be solved by mirrored vocal interactions rather than by imitation' Journal of Phonetics 53, 125-140 , DOI Open access
Howard IS, Carroll TJ, de Rugy A, Ingram JN & Wolpert DM (2015) 'Enhanced cross-limb transfer of force field learning for dynamics that are identical in extrinsic and joint-based coordinates for both limbs' J Neurophysiol. Open access
Howard IS & Franklin DW (2015) 'Neural Tuning Functions Underlie Both Generalization and Interference' PLOS ONE 10, (6) e0131268-e0131268 , DOI Open access
Howard IS, Wolpert DM & Franklin DW (2015) 'The value of the follow-through derives from motor learning depending on future actions' Curr Biol 25, (3) 397-401 Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS & Messum P (2014) 'Learning to pronounce first words in three languages: an investigation of caregiver and infant behavior using a computational model of an infant' PLoS One 9, (10) Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS, Wolpert DM & Franklin DW (2013) 'The effect of contextual cues on the encoding of motor memories' J Neurophysiol 109, (10) 2632-2644 Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS, Ingram JN, Franklin DW & Wolpert DM (2012) 'Gone in 0.6 seconds: the encoding of motor memories depends on recent sensorimotor states' J Neurosci 32, (37) 12756-12768 Author Site , DOI Open access
Messum P & Howard IS (2012) 'Speech Development: Toddlers Don't Mind Getting It Wrong' CURRENT BIOLOGY 22, (5) R160-R161 Author Site , DOI Open access
Ingram JN, Howard IS, Flanagan JR & Wolpert DM (2011) 'A Single-Rate Context-Dependent Learning Process Underlies Rapid Adaptation to Familiar Object Dynamics' PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY 7, (9) Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS, Ingram JN & Wolpert DM (2011) 'Separate representations of dynamics in rhythmic and discrete movements: evidence from motor learning' JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY 105, (4) 1722-1731 Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS & Messum P (2011) 'Modeling the development of pronunciation in infant speech acquisition' Motor Control 15, (1) 85-117 Author Site Open access
Howard IS, Ingram JN & Wolpert DM (2010) 'Context-Dependent Partitioning of Motor Learning in Bimanual Movements' JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY 104, (4) 2082-2091 Author Site , DOI Open access
Ingram JN, Howard IS, Flanagan JR & Wolpert DM (2010) 'Multiple Grasp-Specific Representations of Tool Dynamics Mediate Skillful Manipulation' CURRENT BIOLOGY 20, (7) 618-623 Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS, Ingram JN, Koerding KP & Wolpert DM (2009) 'Statistics of Natural Movements Are Reflected in Motor Errors' JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY 102, (3) 1902-1910 Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS, Ingram JN & Wolpert DM (2009) 'A modular planar robotic manipulandum with end-point torque control' JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE METHODS 181, (2) 199-211 Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS, Ingram JN & Wolpert DM (2008) 'Composition and Decomposition in Bimanual Dynamic Learning' JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE 28, (42) 10531-10540 Author Site , DOI Open access
Ingram JN, Kording KP, Howard IS & Wolpert DM (2008) 'The statistics of natural hand movements' EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH 188, (2) 223-236 Author Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS & Huckvale MA (2005) 'Learning to control an articulatory synthesizer by imitating real speech' ZAS Papers in Linguistics 40, 63-78 , DOI
Körding KP, Fukunaga I, Howard IS, Ingram JN & Wolpert DM (2004) 'A Neuroeconomics Approach to Inferring Utility Functions in Sensorimotor Control' PLoS Biology 2, (10) e330-e330 , DOI Open access
Walliker JR & Howard I (1990) 'Real-time portable multi-layer perceptron voice fundamental-period extractor for hearing aids and cochlear implants' Speech Communication 9, (1) 63-72 , DOI Open access
Chapters
Howard IS, Franklin S & Franklin DW (2018) 'Characterization of Neural Tuning: Visual Lead-in Movements Generalize in Speed and Distance' Biosystems & Biorobotics Springer International Publishing 1030-1033 , DOI Open access
Conference Papers
Howard IS (2022) 'Design and prototyping of a low-cost light weight fixed-endpoint orientation planar Cobot' 2022 International Conference on System Science and Engineering (ICSSE) 5-/-0/20225-/-0/2022IEEE , DOI Open access
Alvarez-Hidalgo L & Howard IS (2022) 'Gain scheduling for state space control of a dual-mode inverted pendulum' 2022 International Conference on System Science and Engineering (ICSSE) 5-/-0/20225-/-0/2022IEEE , DOI Open access
Zhu S, Li C, Rogers J, Gianni M & Howard I (2021) 'A Real-time Double Emulsion Droplets Detection System using Hough Circle Transform and Color Detection' 2021 27th International Conference on Mechatronics and Machine Vision in Practice (M2VIP) 1-/-1/20211-/-1/2021IEEE , DOI Open access
Wilmot A & Howard IS (2021) '3D Printed Mechanically Modular Two-Degree-Of-Freedom Robotic Segment Utilizing Variable-Stiffness Actuators' Springer International Publishing 228-237 , DOI Open access
Howard IS & Stoelen MF (2021) 'EtherCAT Implementation of a Variable-Stiffness Tendon Drive with Non-back-Drivable Worm-Gear Motor Actuation' Annual Conference Towards Autonomous Robotic Systems Springer International Publishing 381-390 , DOI Open access
Howard IS & Stoelen MF (2021) 'State Space Analysis of Variable-Stiffness Tendon Drive with Non-back-Drivable Worm-Gear Motor Actuation' Annual Conference Towards Autonomous Robotic Systems Springer International Publishing 294-303 Publisher Site , DOI Open access
Howard IS (2019) 'A Modular 3D-Printed Inverted Pendulum' Springer International Publishing 413-424 , DOI Open access
Radivojevic Z, Beecher P, Bower C, Cotton D, Haque S, Andrew P, Henson B, Wall SA, Howard IS & Ingram JN (2012) '31.1:<i>Invited Paper</i>: Programmable Electrostatic Surface for Tactile Perceptions' Wiley 407-410 , DOI
Zacharias F, Howard IS, Hulin T & Hirzinger G (2010) 'Workspace comparisons of setup configurations for human-robot interaction' 2010 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2010) 0-/-1/20100-/-1/2010IEEE , DOI Open access
Huckvale M, Howard IS & Fagel S (2009) 'KLAIR: a virtual infant for spoken language acquisition research' Interspeech 2009 ISCA , DOI Open access
Howard IS & Messum P (2008) 'Modeling motor pattern generation in the development of infant speech production' 165-168 Open access
Huckvale M & Howard I (2005) 'Teaching a vocal tract simulation to imitate stop consonants' 3213-3216 Open access
FAULKNER A, WALLIKER JR, HOWARD IS, BALL V & FOURCIN AJ (1993) 'NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN SPEECH PATTERN ELEMENT HEARING-AIDS FOR THE PROFOUNDLY DEAF' 124-135
Howard I (1991) 'Further developments of a neural network speech fundamental period estimation algorithm' 340-344 Open access
Walliker JR, Daley J, Faulkner A & Howard I (1991) 'Feature extracting hearing aids for the profoundly deaf using a neural network implemented on a TMS320C51 digital signal processor' Final Program and Paper Summaries 1991 IEEE ASSP Workshop on Applications of Signal Processing to Audio and Acoustics 0-/-1/19910-/-1/1991IEEE , DOI
Howard IS & Huckvale MA (1989) 'Two-level recognition of isolated word using neural nets' 90-94 Open access
Howard IS & Walliker JR (1989) 'The implementation of a portable real-time multilayer-perceptron speech fundamental period estimator' First European Conference on Speech Communication and Technology (Eurospeech 1989) ISCA , DOI
Huckvale MA, Howard IS & Barry WJ (1989) 'AUTOMATIC PHONETIC FEATURE LABELLING OF CONTINUOUS SPEECH' 2565-2568
Howard DM, Faulkner A & Howard IS (1987) 'SPEECH FUNDAMENTAL FREQUENCY ESTIMATION BY MULTI-CHANNEL PEAK-PICKING' 1318-1321
Howard I (1987) 'SPEECH FUNDAMENTAL PERIOD ESTIMATION BY A NOVEL PARALLEL PROCESSING METHOD' 1309-1312
Howard I & Huckvale M (1987) 'THE APPLICATION OF ADAPTIVE CONSTRAINT SATISFACTION NETWORKS TO ACOUSTIC PHONETIC ATTRIBUTE DETERMINATION' 1075-1078
Howard DM, Maidment JA, Smith DAJ & Howard IS (1986) 'TOWARDS A COMPREHENSIVE QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE OPERATION OF REAL-TIME FUNDAMENTAL FREQUENCY EXTRACTORS' 172-177
Personal

Personal

Links

I am on ResearchGate

I also have a page on Google Scholar

My personal homepage is www.howardlab.com