18,299 research outputs found
The LAB@FUTURE Project - Moving Towards the Future of E-Learning
This paper presents Lab@Future, an advanced e-learning platform that uses novel Information and Communication Technologies to support and expand laboratory teaching practices. For this purpose, Lab@Future uses real and computer-generated objects that are interfaced using mechatronic systems, augmented reality, mobile technologies and 3D multi user environments. The main aim is to develop and demonstrate technological support for practical experiments in the following focused subjects namely: Fluid Dynamics - Science subject in Germany, Geometry - Mathematics subject in Austria, History and Environmental Awareness – Arts and Humanities subjects in Greece and Slovenia. In order to pedagogically enhance the design and functional aspects of this e-learning technology, we are investigating the dialogical operationalisation of learning theories so as to leverage our understanding of teaching and learning practices in the targeted context of deployment
Model Mediated Teleoperation with a Hand-Arm Exoskeleton in Long Time Delays Using Reinforcement Learning
Telerobotic systems must adapt to new environmental conditions and deal with
high uncertainty caused by long-time delays. As one of the best alternatives to
human-level intelligence, Reinforcement Learning (RL) may offer a solution to
cope with these issues. This paper proposes to integrate RL with the Model
Mediated Teleoperation (MMT) concept. The teleoperator interacts with a
simulated virtual environment, which provides instant feedback. Whereas
feedback from the real environment is delayed, feedback from the model is
instantaneous, leading to high transparency. The MMT is realized in combination
with an intelligent system with two layers. The first layer utilizes Dynamic
Movement Primitives (DMP) which accounts for certain changes in the avatar
environment. And, the second layer addresses the problems caused by uncertainty
in the model using RL methods. Augmented reality was also provided to fuse the
avatar device and virtual environment models for the teleoperator. Implemented
on DLR's Exodex Adam hand-arm haptic exoskeleton, the results show RL methods
are able to find different solutions when changes are applied to the object
position after the demonstration. The results also show DMPs to be effective at
adapting to new conditions where there is no uncertainty involved
Overcoming barriers and increasing independence: service robots for elderly and disabled people
This paper discusses the potential for service robots to overcome barriers and increase independence of
elderly and disabled people. It includes a brief overview of the existing uses of service robots by disabled and elderly
people and advances in technology which will make new uses possible and provides suggestions for some of these new
applications. The paper also considers the design and other conditions to be met for user acceptance. It also discusses
the complementarity of assistive service robots and personal assistance and considers the types of applications and
users for which service robots are and are not suitable
Automation and robotics for the Space Exploration Initiative: Results from Project Outreach
A total of 52 submissions were received in the Automation and Robotics (A&R) area during Project Outreach. About half of the submissions (24) contained concepts that were judged to have high utility for the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) and were analyzed further by the robotics panel. These 24 submissions are analyzed here. Three types of robots were proposed in the high scoring submissions: structured task robots (STRs), teleoperated robots (TORs), and surface exploration robots. Several advanced TOR control interface technologies were proposed in the submissions. Many A&R concepts or potential standards were presented or alluded to by the submitters, but few specific technologies or systems were suggested
Technology assessment of advanced automation for space missions
Six general classes of technology requirements derived during the mission definition phase of the study were identified as having maximum importance and urgency, including autonomous world model based information systems, learning and hypothesis formation, natural language and other man-machine communication, space manufacturing, teleoperators and robot systems, and computer science and technology
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