Mr James Bassitt

In his role as Research Director and Facility Manager for VSimulators at the University of Exeter, James Bassitt is responsible for driving the strategic vision and operational management of the facility. He oversees the implementation of academic and commercial research ideas, ensuring the facility supports cutting-edge advancements across disciplines. His responsibilities include maintaining the platform, developing bespoke motion environment software for researchers, supporting grant applications in diverse fields, conducting pilot data tests, managing servers and VR equipment, and designing and running experiments for students and collaborators.

James played a pivotal role in the design and commissioning of the VSimulators facility and its housing building. He was involved from the initial concept through to final commissioning and site acceptance testing, tackling the intricate design and installation of high-precision equipment and managing complex projects with multiple suppliers.

While managing the state-of-the-art Structures Lab at the University, James contributed to student projects and research fieldwork, including the design and construction of monitoring systems, hardware, software, enclosures, 3D printing, mechanical engineering, and fabrication. His involvement in numerous research projects has taken him around the globe. Notably, he designed and built a unique wireless system for synchronized measurements across large-span structures, leading to tests on the Jiangyin Bridge in China and the Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo.

James holds an A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) and General VLOS Certificate (GVC) for unmanned aircraft systems and has obtained operational authority from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to fly drones up to 25kg in the Specific Category for the University of Exeter – Technical Services.

James is a qualified and experienced powerboat operator, holding RYA Powerboat Level 2, RYA Advanced Powerboat, and RYA Advanced Powerboat Day and Night certifications, as well as a Radio Operator Marine Radio Short Range Certification. These qualifications enable James to operate vessels efficiently and safely in a variety of conditions.

James has also worked on offshore structural health monitoring of rock-mounted lighthouses, which included helicopter water survival and escape training for offshore operations.

Before joining the University, James gained experience with a diagnostic software supplier to the automotive industry. At Bentley, he worked as part of the Manufacturing Engineering department, developing electronic solutions for the production line and collaborating with suppliers and Volkswagen Group partners across Europe to implement innovative manufacturing processes. James also worked with Jaguar Land Rover in various capacities, including as a contractor through his limited company and as a permanent employee, contributing to the launch of the Freelander 2.

Pavic, A, Zhang X, Bocian M, Bassitt J M, Bouncy Bridge. Perception of vibrations by walking
humans. In preparation for journal of Sound and Vibration

Hester D, Brownjohn JMW, Xu, Y, Bocian M, Recovering bridge displacements using
accelerometers; lab and field tests. In preparation for Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring

Wolf Rock Lighthouse Long-Term Monitoring
This study focuses on the long-term structural health monitoring of the Wolf Rock Lighthouse, providing insights into its dynamic behavior under environmental loading.
Read the paper on ResearchGate

An Investigation into the Accuracy of LiDAR Technology for In-Home Rehabilitation Planning: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Published in December 2024, this paper examines the precision of LiDAR technology in planning rehabilitation within home environments.
Read the paper on ResearchGate

Modal Testing of Offshore Rock Lighthouses Around the British Isles
This research involves experimental modal analysis of offshore rock lighthouses, assessing their structural responses to environmental forces.
Read the paper on Plymouth Research Portal

Experimental Modal Analysis of British Rock Lighthouses
This paper presents findings from modal analysis conducted on British rock lighthouses, contributing to the understanding of their structural dynamics.
Read the paper on Plymouth Research Portal