Networking for Cloud Robotics: The DewROS Platform and Its Application

With the advances in networking technologies, robots can use the almost unlimited resources of large data centers, overcoming the severe limitations imposed by onboard resources: this is the vision of Cloud Robotics. In this context, we present DewROS, a framework based on the Robot Operating System (ROS) which embodies the three-layer, Dew-Robotics architecture, where computation and storage can be distributed among the robot, the network devices close to it, and the Cloud. After presenting the design and implementation of DewROS, we show its application in a real use-case called SHERPA, which foresees a mixed ground and aerial robotic platform for search and rescue in an alpine environment. We used DewROS to analyze the video acquired by the drones in the Cloud and quickly spot signs of human beings in danger. We perform a wide experimental evaluation using different network technologies and Cloud services from Google and Amazon. We evaluated the impact of several variables on the performance of the system. Our results show that, for example, the video length has a minimal impact on the response time with respect to the video size. In addition, we show that the response time depends on the Round Trip Time (RTT) of the network connection when the video is already loaded into the Cloud provider side. Finally, we present a model of the annotation time that considers the RTT of the connection used to reach the Cloud, discussing results and insights into how to improve current Cloud Robotics applications

Cloud Robotics for Industry 4.0 - A Literature Review

Robots in the industry have been used for decades, much before the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution. They have been incorporated into industrial processes in various ways, for example, with mechanic arms, in assembly processes, welding, and painting, among others. Industrial robots are located in restricted access sites and their space is delimited by means of physical barriers and security measures. In recent years, Industry 4.0 proposes the use robots, able to collaborate with persons, known as collaborative robots or “cobots”. Cobots are characterized by cooperating with human work, sharing the same workspace, and able to respond to simple human-machine interactions. In addition, given the benefits of applying cloud computing in Industry 4.0, research has been conducted in applying such technologies to robots. The approach is known as “cloud robotics” and appears as an emerging topic. The objective of this work is to carry out a systematic literature review of cloud robotics for Industry 4.0, in an attempt to present the state of the art in this field and identify opportunities for future research. From the analysis of the results, we observe an emerging interest in this area, and we identify main technologies applied, research themes, and application areas, as well as a special interest on security and safety aspects.Part of the Communications in Computer and Information Science book series (CCIS, vol. 1291)Facultad de Informátic

Homecare Robotic Systems for Healthcare 4.0: Visions and Enabling Technologies

Powered by the technologies that have originated from manufacturing, the fourth revolution of healthcare technologies is happening (Healthcare 4.0). As an example of such revolution, new generation homecare robotic systems (HRS) based on the cyber-physical systems (CPS) with higher speed and more intelligent execution are emerging. In this article, the new visions and features of the CPS-based HRS are proposed. The latest progress in related enabling technologies is reviewed, including artificial intelligence, sensing fundamentals, materials and machines, cloud computing and communication, as well as motion capture and mapping. Finally, the future perspectives of the CPS-based HRS and the technical challenges faced in each technical area are discussed