Onderzoeksinteresses

Dr Soman’s research vision is centred on leading innovation within the built environment, achieved through applied research in construction informatics, digital twins, systems engineering, artificial intelligence and complex systems modelling. The core of this vision is to initiate a significant shift in the civil engineering field by transforming the role of computers from mere tools into collaborative partners. To bring this vision to fruition, His research focuses on four key areas: Knowledge Modelling, Machine Learning, Human-Computer Interaction, and Digitally Augmented Processes. To realise the research vision, his expertise in areas such as knowledge graphs, advanced AI methods including deep learning and reinforcement learning, and human-computer interaction (HCI) with a focus on extended reality (XR) technologies is leveraged. Current research interests include developing intricate digital twins, knowledge graph integration in digital twins, graph machine learning, generative adversarial imitation learning, and digital twins informed by physical laws and principles. He is involved in the Smart Mobile Factories for Infrastructure project and the ResilientHydroTwin: Participatory Integrated Digital Twin for Adaptive Urban Resilience to Water Extremities project. He is also associated with DigiConstruct Lab.

Academische achtergrond

Before his tenure at TU Delft, Dr. Soman held the position of Post-doctoral research associate at the Future Cities Laboratory of ETH Zurich, where he contributed to the Circular Future Cities project. Prior to this, he also occupied the role of Postdoctoral research associate at the Centre for Systems Engineering and Innovation at Imperial College London, working on the AEC Production Control Room project.

Dr. Soman earned his Ph.D. in civil engineering, with a specialization in construction informatics, from Imperial College London. During his doctoral studies, he was selected as a Ph.D. enrichment scholar at The Alan Turing Institute. Preceding his Ph.D., he obtained his M.S. (by research) in Building Technology and Construction Management from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.