20,523 research outputs found
Visualisation of semantic architectural information within a game engine environment
Because of the importance of graphics and information within the domain of architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), an appropriate combination of visualisation technology and information management technology is of utter importance in the development of appropriately supporting design and construction applications. We therefore started an investigation of two of the newest developments in these domains, namely game engine technology and semantic web technology. This paper documents part of this research, containing a review and comparison of the most prominent game engines and documenting our architectural semantic web. A short test-case illustrates how both can be combined to enhance information visualisation for architectural design and construction
Reducing the Barrier to Entry of Complex Robotic Software: a MoveIt! Case Study
Developing robot agnostic software frameworks involves synthesizing the
disparate fields of robotic theory and software engineering while
simultaneously accounting for a large variability in hardware designs and
control paradigms. As the capabilities of robotic software frameworks increase,
the setup difficulty and learning curve for new users also increase. If the
entry barriers for configuring and using the software on robots is too high,
even the most powerful of frameworks are useless. A growing need exists in
robotic software engineering to aid users in getting started with, and
customizing, the software framework as necessary for particular robotic
applications. In this paper a case study is presented for the best practices
found for lowering the barrier of entry in the MoveIt! framework, an
open-source tool for mobile manipulation in ROS, that allows users to 1)
quickly get basic motion planning functionality with minimal initial setup, 2)
automate its configuration and optimization, and 3) easily customize its
components. A graphical interface that assists the user in configuring MoveIt!
is the cornerstone of our approach, coupled with the use of an existing
standardized robot model for input, automatically generated robot-specific
configuration files, and a plugin-based architecture for extensibility. These
best practices are summarized into a set of barrier to entry design principles
applicable to other robotic software. The approaches for lowering the entry
barrier are evaluated by usage statistics, a user survey, and compared against
our design objectives for their effectiveness to users
MULTIMEDIA INTERFACE AS A SUPPORT TOOL FOR LOGISTICS DECISION-MAKING
Growing complexity of problems of logistics management in enterprises anddifferentiation of the used applications without common database force businesses tosearch for solutions which facilitate the processes of logistics decision-making. One ofthe concepts proposed in this chapter is a design of decision-maker/logistics interface.Firstly, technologies of corporate portals were described, being a basis for ergonomicand useful interface. Next the properties typical of functional multimedia interfaceadapted to the logistics decision-makers’ needs were listed. Further in the chapter,methodological assumptions for interface creation were made whereas the benefitsbrought by personalization of both form (in terms of topography, colours andarrangement of main components of the interface) and content were emphasized.corporate portal, dynamic internet applications, graphical user interface model;
Safe, Remote-Access Swarm Robotics Research on the Robotarium
This paper describes the development of the Robotarium -- a remotely
accessible, multi-robot research facility. The impetus behind the Robotarium is
that multi-robot testbeds constitute an integral and essential part of the
multi-agent research cycle, yet they are expensive, complex, and time-consuming
to develop, operate, and maintain. These resource constraints, in turn, limit
access for large groups of researchers and students, which is what the
Robotarium is remedying by providing users with remote access to a
state-of-the-art multi-robot test facility. This paper details the design and
operation of the Robotarium as well as connects these to the particular
considerations one must take when making complex hardware remotely accessible.
In particular, safety must be built in already at the design phase without
overly constraining which coordinated control programs the users can upload and
execute, which calls for minimally invasive safety routines with provable
performance guarantees.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, 3 code samples, 72 reference
E-HOME, A LIFESTYLE AND COMFORTABLE TECHNOLOGY
Technology has become an essential part of our homes, which are places that should be easy and peaceful to live in. That’s why I imagine a concept that take all the technology necessary in your home, integrate it and make it simple and easy to use for everybody. This concept is based on idea that eliminates remote controls or something like this. Also this concept should propose you a lot of possible decision that you could take. These decisions refers on easy living in a normal home, such as climate, water temperature, lightning, multimedia, such as TV’s, VCR’s, DVD’s, but also decisions about eating, paying taxes, investments, interfaces with public institutions and so on. This concept I name it e-Home. I imagine this concept with many modules, refers on easy living in such a home, referring on what do you eat, calories consume, food storage and clothes and about possible decision to take in matter of paying and investments of your family.technology, interfaces, neural network, software, artificial intelligence
Designing for designers: Towards the development of accessible ICT products and services using the VERITAS framework
Among key design practices which contribute to the development of inclusive ICT products and services is user testing with people with disabilities. Traditionally, this involves partial or minimal user testing through the usage of standard heuristics, employing external assisting devices, and the direct feedback of impaired users. However, efficiency could be improved if designers could readily analyse the needs of their target audience. The VERITAS framework simulates and systematically analyses how users with various impairments interact with the use of ICT products and services. Findings show that the VERITAS framework is useful to designers, offering an intuitive approach to inclusive design.The work presented in this article forms part of VERITAS, which is funded by the European Commission's 7th Framework Programme (FP7) (grant agreement # 247765 FP7-ICT-2009.7.2)
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