A proposed neural control for the trajectory tracking of a nonholonomic mobile robot with disturbances

In this paper, a trajectory tracking control problem for a nonholonomic mobile robot by the integration of a kinematic neural controller (KNC) and a torque neural controller (TNC) is proposed, where both the kinematic and dynamic models contains disturbances. The KNC is a variable structure controller (VSC) based on the sliding mode control theory (SMC), and applied to compensate the kinematic disturbances. The TNC is a inertia-based controller constituted of a dynamic neural controller (DNC) and a robust neural compensator (RNC), and applied to compensate the mobile robot dynamics, and bounded unknown disturbances. Stability analysis with basis on Lyapunov method and simulations results are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.

Development of a support vector machine-based navigation system for driving a mobile robot through paths in plantations

The use of mobile robots turns out to be interesting in activities where the action of human specialist is difficult or dangerous. Mobile robots are often used for the exploration in areas of difficult access, such as rescue operations and space missions, to avoid human experts exposition to risky situations. Mobile robots are also used in agriculture for planting tasks as well as for keeping the application of pesticides within minimal amounts to mitigate environmental pollution. In this paper we present the development of a system to control the navigation of an autonomous mobile robot through tracks in plantations. Track images are used to control robot direction by preprocessing them to extract image features. Such features are then submitted to a support vector machine in order to find out the most appropriate route. The overall goal of the project to which this work is connected is to develop a real time robot control system to be embedded into a hardware platform. In this paper we report the software implementation of a support vector machine, which so far presented around 93% accuracy in predicting the appropriate route. © 2012 IEEE.

Gesture-based teleoperation using a holonomic robot

This work presents the development and integration of an user interface (UI) framework based on various current input devices that take advantage of our ergonomics. The purpose is to teleoperate a holonomic robot using upper member gestures and postures for studying the suitable of such interfaces when programming and interacting with a mobile robot. As performance vary from UI to UI the framework is focused to be used as a complementary industrial or didactic tool thus, changing how inexperience users tackle their first impressions when working with mobile robots while performing simple gesture-based teleoperation tasks. © 2012 ICROS.

A brazilian ergonomic human-robot interface case

Brazilian and foreign companies operating in Brazil in the last 30 years have been using automated productive resources, especially robots. These 3 decades doesńt seem to have been enough to develop in the actors involved with robots an adequate professional awareness. If we consider the predictive security and ergonomic aspects involved, we notice that there are critical failures on handling these situations. So in this study we tried to observe the presence of the human being in some workstations that operate with robots in the Brazilian Southeastern region. © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.

Local data fusion algorithm for fire detection through mobile robot

Multisensor data fusion is a technique that combines the readings of multiple sensors to detect some phenomenon. Data fusion applications are numerous and they can be used in smart buildings, environment monitoring, industry and defense applications. The main goal of multisensor data fusion is to minimize false alarms and maximize the probability of detection based on the detection of multiple sensors. In this paper a local data fusion algorithm based on luminosity, temperature and flame for fire detection is presented. The data fusion approach was embedded in a low cost mobile robot. The prototype test validation has indicated that our approach can detect fire occurrence. Moreover, the low cost project allow the development of robots that could be discarded in their fire detection missions. © 2013 IEEE.

Os professores e o consumo de projetos que chegam à escola: o caso do Projeto Lego Education

O estudo proposto focaliza o modo como os professores recebem, consomem e se apropriam de projetos educativos que são implementados nas escolas de ensino fundamental. Trata-se de um estudo de caso que focaliza a implementação, iniciada em 2008, do Projeto Lego Education em escolas de uma rede municipal de ensino no interior paulista. A implementação do referido projeto insere-se em um contexto mais amplo marcado pelo crescimento de um “rentável mercado formativo” (Nóvoa, 1999) entre nós atualmente. Diante desse contexto, surge uma questão: Como foi, para os professores daquela rede de ensino, a inserção do Projeto Lego Education em seu trabalho docente e como os mesmos lidam com o projeto atualmente? Para tentar responder a essa questão o presente estudo foi realizado com os professores que foram capacitados e atuaram na implementação do projeto, a partir de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e observações. Objetivou-se investigar como o referido projeto foi apropriado (de Certeau, 1994) pelos professores na sua implementação e como os mesmos percebem o projeto atualmente. Pretendeu-se identificar, assim, maneiras pelas quais os professores relacionam-se com materiais didáticos, livros/guias do professor e cursos de capacitação docente ligados ao Projeto Lego Education, procurando caracterizar as maneiras como os mesmos se apropriam e consomem (de Certeau, 1994) tais produtos que lhes são dirigidos. Nesse estudo foi realizada também a análise de documentos relacionados ao Projeto Lego Education (sites das empresas envolvidas, manuais e revistas, entre outros materiais), focando em como esses materiais se referem ao professor e sua prática em sala de aula. A inserção nas escolas públicas de projetos que, como o LEGO, são provenientes de empresas privadas, aponta... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)

Projeto de extensão FUTFEB

Introdução: O Projeto de Extensão FutFEB procura estimular o interesse dos alunos do ensino médio, técnico e fundamental para seguirem carreira nas áreas de engenharia e ciência da computação. Para isso são utilizados robôs móveis simples em conjunto com material didático e audiovisual para despertar de forma lúdica, através de palestras e demonstrações práticas, o interesse dos jovens para os desafios e atrativos das carreiras tecnológicas. Essas atividades são desenvolvidas por alunos do Colégio Técnico Industrial e da Faculdade de Engenharia do Campus de Bauru. Objetivos: Propiciar condições para que os alunos do Colégio Técnico Industrial e da Faculdade de Engenharia desenvolvam atividades de pesquisa e desenvolvimento sobre robôs móveis autônomos funcionando como complemento e estímulo a sua formação acadêmica nas áreas de engenharia elétrica, mecânica, e computação. Assim, espera-se a criação da cultura e de um ambiente propícios para desenvolvimento de pesquisas e de inovação tecnológica, que ajudem a consolidar os Cursos Técnicos, de Graduação e PósGraduação da FEB. Métodos: O uso de robôs móveis em cursos de engenharia ou cursos visando o desenvolvimento tecnológico não é uma novidade. Inúmeros experimentos são relatados na literatura, sendo que esta abordagem tem se tornado quase que uma obrigatoriedade nos cursos de boa qualidade [Hoopes, 2003], [Martin, 1994], [Miglino, 1998]. Um dos pilares desta nova linha de ensino tecnológico é o trabalho desenvolvido por Resnick no MIT [Kafai & Resnick, 1996] que é parte importante do conhecido Projeto LEGO Mindstorms. Esta perspectiva altera significativamente o posicionamento do estudante, dando-lhe maturidade profissional e responsabilidade. Com isso espera-se formar um profissional mais capacitado tanto no aspecto de fundamentos e conceitos técnicos, como na capacidade de empreender e inovar. Também existe a expectativa de que muitos dos trabalhos desenvolvidos sejam transformados em projetos de Iniciação Científica. Resultados: toda a tecnologia utilizada no conceito Futebol de Robôs continua sendo desenvolvida e aprimorada, diversos trabalhos científicos de ponta podem ser encontrados na literatura recente, trabalhos que abordam entre outros temas, o problema da navegação autônoma dos robôs móveis. Apresenta-se a seguir trabalhos de alunos vinculados ao Projeto de Extensão FutFEB, submetidos ao Congresso de Iniciação Científica da UNESP - 2011.- Software de Mapeamento para Navegação de Robôs Móveis Autônomos.- Sensoriamento por Infra-Vermelho para Robôs Móveis Autônomos.- Sensoriamento por Ultra-Som para Robôs Móveis Autônomos.- Segmentação de Imagens Coloridas para Reconhecimento de Objetos.- Algoritmos de Subtração de Plano de Fundo em Frames de Vídeo.

DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF MULTIFUNCTIONAL ROBOT FOR NOTES

The elimination of all external incisions is an important step in reducing the invasiveness of surgical procedures. Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) is an incision-less surgery and provides explicit benefits such as reducing patient trauma and shortening recovery time. However, technological difficulties impede the widespread utilization of the NOTES method. A novel robotic tool has been developed, which makes NOTES procedures feasible by using multiple interchangeable tool tips. The robotic tool has the capability of entering the body cavity through an orifice or a single incision using a flexible articulated positioning mechanism and once inserted is not constrained by incisions, allowing for visualization and manipulations throughout the cavity. Multiple interchangeable tool tips of the robotic device initially consist of three end effectors: a grasper, scissors, and an atraumatic Babcock clamp. The tool changer is capable of selecting and switching between the three tools depending on the surgical task using a miniature mechanism driven by micro-motors. The robotic tool is remotely controlled through a joystick and computer interface. In this thesis, the following aspects of this robotic tool will be detailed. The first-generation robot is designed as a conceptual model for implementing a novel mechanism of switching, advancing, and controlling the tool tips using two micro-motors. It is believed that this mechanism achieves a reduction in cumbersome instrument exchanges and can reduce overall procedure time and the risk of inadvertent tissue trauma during exchanges with a natural orifice approach. Also, placing actuators directly at the surgical site enables the robot to generate sufficient force to operate effectively. Mounting the multifunctional robot on the distal end of an articulating tube provides freedom from restriction on the robot kinematics and helps solve some of the difficulties otherwise faced during surgery using NOTES or related approaches. The second-generation multifunctional robot is then introduced in which the overall size is reduced and two arms provide 2 additional degrees of freedom, resulting in feasibility of insertion through the esophagus and increased dexterity. Improvements are necessary in future iterations of the multifunctional robot; however, the work presented is a proof of concept for NOTES robots capable of abdominal surgical interventions.

Bidirectional Barbed Suture for Bladder Neck Reconstruction, Posterior Reconstruction and Vesicourethral Anastomosis During Robot Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

Background: The urethrovesical anastomosis is a particular challenging step of robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Failure to achieve a watertight anastomosis is associated with postoperative urinary leak and its consequences, which include paralytic ileus, prolonged catheterization, urinary peritonitis and possibly re-intervention. The bidirectional barbed suture is a new technology that may lead to improve the quality of the urethrovesical anastomosis. Objective: To present our surgical technique of urethrovesical anastomosis, bladder neck reconstruction and posterior reconstruction, using a bidirectional barbed suture. Material and methods: The bladder neck reconstruction, posterior reconstruction and vesicourethral anastomosis were performed using a 2-0 synthetic absorbable bidirectional monofilament barbed suture Results: All cases were finished successfully without major complication or conversion to laparoscopic or open surgery. Conclusion: The authors successfully modified their RARP technique to take advantage of the properties of the bidirectional barbed suture. Comparative studies that evaluate objective outcomes such as leakage rates and operative time are needed to definitely establish the benefits of this device in comparison to the traditional absorbable monofilament. (C) 2011 AEU. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.

Development of an Autonomous Robot for Gas Storage Spheres Inspection

Inspection for corrosion of gas storage spheres at the welding seam lines must be done periodically. Until now this inspection is being done manually and has a high cost associated to it and a high risk of inspection personel injuries. The Brazilian Petroleum Company, Petrobras, is seeking cost reduction and personel safety by the use of autonomous robot technology. This paper presents the development of a robot capable of autonomously follow a welding line and transporting corrosion measurement sensors. The robot uses a pair of sensors each composed of a laser source and a video camera that allows the estimation of the center of the welding line. The mechanical robot uses four magnetic wheels to adhere to the sphere's surface and was constructed in a way that always three wheels are in contact with the sphere's metallic surface which guarantees enough magnetic atraction to hold the robot in the sphere's surface all the time. Additionally, an independently actuated table for attaching the corrosion inspection sensors was included for small position corrections. Tests were conducted at the laboratory and in a real sphere showing the validity of the proposed approach and implementation.

Reasoning about shadows in a mobile robot environment

This paper describes a logic-based formalism for qualitative spatial reasoning with cast shadows (Perceptual Qualitative Relations on Shadows, or PQRS) and presents results of a mobile robot qualitative self-localisation experiment using this formalism. Shadow detection was accomplished by mapping the images from the robot’s monocular colour camera into a HSV colour space and then thresholding on the V dimension. We present results of selflocalisation using two methods for obtaining the threshold automatically: in one method the images are segmented according to their grey-scale histograms, in the other, the threshold is set according to a prediction about the robot’s location, based upon a qualitative spatial reasoning theory about shadows. This theory-driven threshold search and the qualitative self-localisation procedure are the main contributions of the present research. To the best of our knowledge this is the first work that uses qualitative spatial representations both to perform robot self-localisation and to calibrate a robot’s interpretation of its perceptual input.

Test and Evaluation of the FastSLAM Algorithm in a Mobile Robot

Máster Universitario en Sistemas Inteligentes y Aplicaciones Numéricas en Ingeniería (SIANI)

Taller del proyecto AVORA, robot submarino de la ULPGC-PLOCAN dentro de Ciberlandia 2013

Celebrado el 24 de mayo en el Edificio de Informática y Matemáticas de la ULPGC

Prototipo de herramienta para el inventariado automático de piezas de Lego basado en visión artificial

Permitida la difusión del código bajo los términos de la licencia BSD de tres cláusulas.