Applicability of siberian placer mining technology to Alaska

The result of Perestroyka and Glasnost has been an awakening of potential for cooperation between East and West. Nowhere has that been better demonstrated than between Alaska and Magadan Province, USSR. This report summarizes a one year effort financed by ASTF, with participation from several technical organizations, to establish contacts with the Siberian placer mining industry. The purpose of the project was to provide initial assessment of the Soviet technology for placer mining in permafrost. A ten day trip to Magadan province by an ASTF team and a similar length visit to Alaska by the Soviet mining group representing the All Union Scientific and Research Institute of Gold and Rare Metals, (VNII-I), Magadan are described. The report also reviews translated data on mining in permafrost and describes surface and underground placer mining technology developed by the Soviets. The report also lists relevant publications on Soviet mining research and state of the art Soviet mining technology and expertise

Development of a mobile robotic phenotyping system for growth chamber-based studies of genotype x environment interactions

In order to fully understand the interaction between phenotype and genotype x environment to improve crop performance, a large amount of phenotypic data is needed. Studying plants of a given strain under multiple environments can greatly help to reveal their interactions. This thesis presents two key portions of the development of the Enviratron rover, a robotic system that aims to autonomously collect the labor-intensive data required to perform experiments in this area. The rover is part of a larger project which will track plant growth in multiple environments. The first aspects of the robot discussed in this thesis is the system hardware and main, or whole-chamber, imaging system. Semi-autonomous behavior is currently achieved, and the system performance in probing leaves is quantified and discussed. In contrast to existing systems, the rover can follow magnetic tape along all four directions (front, left, back, right), and uses a Microsoft Kinect V2 mounted on the end-effector of a robotic arm to position a threaded rod, simulating future sensors such as fluorimeter and Raman Spectrometer, at a desired position and orientation. Advantages of the tape following include being able to reliably move both between chambers and within a chamber regardless of dust and lighting conditions. The robot arm and Kinect system is unique in its speed at reconstructing an (filtered) environment when combined with its accuracy at positioning sensors. A comparison of using raw camera coordinates data and using KinectFusion data is presented. The results suggest that the KinectFusion pose estimation is fairly accurate, only decreasing accuracy by a few millimeters at distances of roughly 0.8 meter. The system can consistently position sensors to within 4 cm of the goal, and often within 3 cm. The system is shown to be accurate enough to position sensors to ñ 9 degrees of a desired orientation, although currently this accuracy requires human input to fully utilize the Kinect’s feedback. The second aspect of the robot presented in this thesis is a framework for generating collision-free robot arm motion within the chamber. This framework uses feedback from the Kinect sensor and is based on the Probabilistic Roadmaps (PRM) technique, which involves creating a graph of collision-free nodes and edges, and then searching for an acceptable path. The variant presented uses a dilated, down-sampled, KinectFusion as input for rapid collision checking, effectively representing the environment as a discretized grid and representing the robot arm as a collection of spheres. The approach combines many desirable characteristics of previous PRM methods and other collision-avoidance schemes, and is aimed at providing a reliable, rapidly-constructed, highly-connected roadmap which can be queried multiple times in a static environment, such as a growth chamber or a greenhouse. In a sample plant configuration with several of the most challenging practical goal poses, it is shown to create a roadmap in an average time of 32.5 seconds. One key feature is that nodes are added near the goal during each query, in order to increase accuracy at the expense of increased query time. A completed graph is searched for an optimal path connecting nodes near the starting pose and the desired end pose. The fastest graph search studied was an implementation of the A* algorithm. Queries using this framework took an average time of 0.46 seconds. The average distance between the attained pose and the desired location was 2.7 cm. Average distance C-space between the attained pose and the desired location was 3.65 degrees. The research suggests that the robotic framework presented has the potential to fulfill the main hardware and motion requirements of an autonomous indoor phenotyping robot, and can generate desired collision-free robot arm motion

Integration of fault tolerance and hardware redundancy techniques into the design of mobile platforms

This work addresses the development of a fault-tolerant mobile platform. Fault-tolerant mechanical system design is an emerging technology that attempts to build highly reliable systems by incorporating hardware and software architectures. For this purpose, previous work in fault-tolerant were reviewed. Alternate architectures were evaluated to maximize the fault tolerance capabilities of the driving and steering systems of a mobile platform. The literature review showed that most of the research work on fault tolerance has been done in the area of kinematics and control systems of robotic arms. Therefore, hardware redundancy and fault tolerance in mobile robots is an area to be researched. The prototype constructed as part of this work demonstrated basic principles and uses of a fault-tolerant mechanism, and is believed to be the first such system in its class. It is recommended that different driving and steering architectures, and the fault-tolerant controllers\u27 performance be tested on this prototype

Quantum Algorithm of Imperfect KB Self-organization. Pt II: Robotic Control with Remote Knowledge Base Exchange

The technology of knowledge base remote design of the smart fuzzy controllers with the application of the "Soft / quantum computing optimizer" toolkit software developed. The possibility of the transmission and communication the knowledge base using remote connection to the control object considered. Transmission and communication of the fuzzy controller’s knowledge bases implemented through the remote connection with the control object in the online mode apply the Bluetooth or WiFi technologies. Remote transmission of knowledge bases allows designing many different built-in intelligent controllers to implement a variety of control strategies under conditions of uncertainty and risk. As examples, two different models of robots described (mobile manipulator and (“cart-pole” system) inverted pendulum). A comparison of the control quality between fuzzy controllers and quantum fuzzy controller in various control modes is presented. The ability to connect and work with a physical model of control object without using than mathematical model demonstrated. The implemented technology of knowledge base design sharing in a swarm of intelligent robots with quantum controllers. It allows to achieve the goal of control and to gain additional knowledge by creating a new quantum hidden information source based on the synergetic effect of combining knowledge. Development and implementation of intelligent robust controller’s prototype for the intelligent quantum control system of mega-science project NICA (at the first stage for the cooling system of superconducted magnets) is discussed. The results of the experiments demonstrate the possibility of the ensured achievement of the control goal of a group of robots using soft / quantum computing technologies in the design of knowledge bases of smart fuzzy controllers in quantum intelligent control systems. The developed software toolkit allows to design and setup complex ill-defined and weakly formalized technical systems on line

New Approaches in Automation and Robotics

The book New Approaches in Automation and Robotics offers in 22 chapters a collection of recent developments in automation, robotics as well as control theory. It is dedicated to researchers in science and industry, students, and practicing engineers, who wish to update and enhance their knowledge on modern methods and innovative applications. The authors and editor of this book wish to motivate people, especially under-graduate students, to get involved with the interesting field of robotics and mechatronics. We hope that the ideas and concepts presented in this book are useful for your own work and could contribute to problem solving in similar applications as well. It is clear, however, that the wide area of automation and robotics can only be highlighted at several spots but not completely covered by a single book

14th Conference on Dynamical Systems Theory and Applications DSTA 2017 ABSTRACTS

From Preface: This is the fourteen time when the conference “Dynamical Systems – Theory and Applications” gathers a numerous group of outstanding scientists and engineers, who deal with widely understood problems of theoretical and applied dynamics. Organization of the conference would not have been possible without a great effort of the staff of the Department of Automation, Biomechanics and Mechatronics. The patronage over the conference has been taken by the Committee of Mechanics of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. It is a great pleasure that our invitation has been accepted by so many people, including good colleagues and friends as well as a large group of researchers and scientists, who decided to participate in the conference for the first time. With proud and satisfaction we welcome nearly 250 persons from 38 countries all over the world. They decided to share the results of their research and many years experiences in the discipline of dynamical systems by submitting many very interesting papers. This booklet contains a collection of 375 abstracts, which have gained the acceptance of referees and have been qualified for publication in the conference proceedings [...]

Locomotion system for ground mobile robots in uneven and unstructured environments

One of the technology domains with the greatest growth rates nowadays is service robots. The extensive use of ground mobile robots in environments that are unstructured or structured for humans is a promising challenge for the coming years, even though Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) moving on flat and compact grounds are already commercially available and widely utilized to move components and products inside indoor industrial buildings. Agriculture, planetary exploration, military operations, demining, intervention in case of terrorist attacks, surveillance, and reconnaissance in hazardous conditions are important application domains. Due to the fact that it integrates the disciplines of locomotion, vision, cognition, and navigation, the design of a ground mobile robot is extremely interdisciplinary. In terms of mechanics, ground mobile robots, with the exception of those designed for particular surroundings and surfaces (such as slithering or sticky robots), can move on wheels (W), legs (L), tracks (T), or hybrids of these concepts (LW, LT, WT, LWT). In terms of maximum speed, obstacle crossing ability, step/stair climbing ability, slope climbing ability, walking capability on soft terrain, walking capability on uneven terrain, energy efficiency, mechanical complexity, control complexity, and technology readiness, a systematic comparison of these locomotion systems is provided in [1]. Based on the above-mentioned classification, in this thesis, we first introduce a small-scale hybrid locomotion robot for surveillance and inspection, WheTLHLoc, with two tracks, two revolving legs, two active wheels, and two passive omni wheels. The robot can move in several different ways, including using wheels on the flat, compact ground,[1] tracks on soft, yielding terrain, and a combination of tracks, legs, and wheels to navigate obstacles. In particular, static stability and non-slipping characteristics are considered while analyzing the process of climbing steps and stairs. The experimental test on the first prototype has proven the planned climbing maneuver’s efficacy and the WheTLHLoc robot's operational flexibility. Later we present another development of WheTLHLoc and introduce WheTLHLoc 2.0 with newly designed legs, enabling the robot to deal with bigger obstacles. Subsequently, a single-track bio-inspired ground mobile robot's conceptual and embodiment designs are presented. This robot is called SnakeTrack. It is designed for surveillance and inspection activities in unstructured environments with constrained areas. The vertebral column has two end modules and a variable number of vertebrae linked by compliant joints, and the surrounding track is its essential component. Four motors drive the robot: two control the track motion and two regulate the lateral flexion of the vertebral column for steering. The compliant joints enable limited passive torsion and retroflection of the vertebral column, which the robot can use to adapt to uneven terrain and increase traction. Eventually, the new version of SnakeTrack, called 'Porcospino', is introduced with the aim of allowing the robot to move in a wider variety of terrains. The novelty of this thesis lies in the development and presentation of three novel designs of small-scale mobile robots for surveillance and inspection in unstructured environments, and they employ hybrid locomotion systems that allow them to traverse a variety of terrains, including soft, yielding terrain and high obstacles. This thesis contributes to the field of mobile robotics by introducing new design concepts for hybrid locomotion systems that enable robots to navigate challenging environments. The robots presented in this thesis employ modular designs that allow their lengths to be adapted to suit specific tasks, and they are capable of restoring their correct position after falling over, making them highly adaptable and versatile. Furthermore, this thesis presents a detailed analysis of the robots' capabilities, including their step-climbing and motion planning abilities. In this thesis we also discuss possible refinements for the robots' designs to improve their performance and reliability. Overall, this thesis's contributions lie in the design and development of innovative mobile robots that address the challenges of surveillance and inspection in unstructured environments, and the analysis and evaluation of these robots' capabilities. The research presented in this thesis provides a foundation for further work in this field, and it may be of interest to researchers and practitioners in the areas of robotics, automation, and inspection. As a general note, the first robot, WheTLHLoc, is a hybrid locomotion robot capable of combining tracked locomotion on soft terrains, wheeled locomotion on flat and compact grounds, and high obstacle crossing capability. The second robot, SnakeTrack, is a small-size mono-track robot with a modular structure composed of a vertebral column and a single peripherical track revolving around it. The third robot, Porcospino, is an evolution of SnakeTrack and includes flexible spines on the track modules for improved traction on uneven but firm terrains, and refinements of the shape of the track guidance system. This thesis provides detailed descriptions of the design and prototyping of these robots and presents analytical and experimental results to verify their capabilities

Self-tuning controller for farm tractor guidance

A global position-sensing system using navigational technology has been researched and applied to control a farm tractor in field conditions. Besides guiding a tractor in conservation tillage systems, navigational positioning systems can be used to generate field maps which can help in the application of chemicals and in visualizing variation of soil and crop conditions;A tractor dynamic simulator was developed by using a semi-recursive formulation which uses the variational vector approach and relative coordinates in Cartesian space. Typical joints were formulated for automatic assembly of equations of motion, and cut-joint Jacobians were used to handle with a closed-loop mechanism;A self-tuning steering controller, which can be used for all non-contact types of the positioning systems, was designed for tractor guidance systems. A simple two degrees-of-freedom model of a tractor was chosen to develop a prediction model used in recursive least-squares parameter estimation. A variable forgetting factor was implemented, and its algorithm was modified to cope with time-varying nonlinear systems. The self-tuning steering controller based upon minimum variance control was tested and verified by using the tractor dynamic simulator. Test paths used were a circular path with a radius of 36 m and a composite path which consisted of two lane-change and continuous sinusoidal maneuvers. The test speeds considered were in the range of 0-18 km/h;The study found: (1) an accurate position-sensing system is the most important factor to control the tractor path within ±5 cm of the desired path; (2) a fast sampling can be achieved in practical applications because the execution time of the controller program was about 5 msec; (3) the self-tuning controller that can be used to guide a tractor with any non-contact types of positioning system can measure the position or the position error with respect to the desired path; (4) with the sampling interval 0.1 and 0.2 seconds, the controller could control the tractor position within ±5 cm of the desired path at all test speeds. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.