18,435 research outputs found
Internet of robotic things : converging sensing/actuating, hypoconnectivity, artificial intelligence and IoT Platforms
The Internet of Things (IoT) concept is evolving rapidly and influencing newdevelopments in various application domains, such as the Internet of MobileThings (IoMT), Autonomous Internet of Things (A-IoT), Autonomous Systemof Things (ASoT), Internet of Autonomous Things (IoAT), Internetof Things Clouds (IoT-C) and the Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT) etc.that are progressing/advancing by using IoT technology. The IoT influencerepresents new development and deployment challenges in different areassuch as seamless platform integration, context based cognitive network integration,new mobile sensor/actuator network paradigms, things identification(addressing, naming in IoT) and dynamic things discoverability and manyothers. The IoRT represents new convergence challenges and their need to be addressed, in one side the programmability and the communication ofmultiple heterogeneous mobile/autonomous/robotic things for cooperating,their coordination, configuration, exchange of information, security, safetyand protection. Developments in IoT heterogeneous parallel processing/communication and dynamic systems based on parallelism and concurrencyrequire new ideas for integrating the intelligent “devices”, collaborativerobots (COBOTS), into IoT applications. Dynamic maintainability, selfhealing,self-repair of resources, changing resource state, (re-) configurationand context based IoT systems for service implementation and integrationwith IoT network service composition are of paramount importance whennew “cognitive devices” are becoming active participants in IoT applications.This chapter aims to be an overview of the IoRT concept, technologies,architectures and applications and to provide a comprehensive coverage offuture challenges, developments and applications
A practical multirobot localization system
We present a fast and precise vision-based software intended for multiple robot localization. The core component of the software is a novel and efficient algorithm for black and white pattern detection. The method is robust to variable lighting conditions, achieves sub-pixel precision and its computational complexity is independent of the processed image size. With off-the-shelf computational equipment and low-cost cameras, the core algorithm is able to process hundreds of images per second while tracking hundreds of objects with a millimeter precision. In addition, we present the method's mathematical model, which allows to estimate the expected localization precision, area of coverage, and processing speed from the camera's intrinsic parameters and hardware's processing capacity. The correctness of the presented model and performance of the algorithm in real-world conditions is verified in several experiments. Apart from the method description, we also make its source code public at \emph{http://purl.org/robotics/whycon}; so, it can be used as an enabling technology for various mobile robotic problems
Using the DiaSpec design language and compiler to develop robotics systems
A Sense/Compute/Control (SCC) application is one that interacts with the
physical environment. Such applications are pervasive in domains such as
building automation, assisted living, and autonomic computing. Developing an
SCC application is complex because: (1) the implementation must address both
the interaction with the environment and the application logic; (2) any
evolution in the environment must be reflected in the implementation of the
application; (3) correctness is essential, as effects on the physical
environment can have irreversible consequences. The SCC architectural pattern
and the DiaSpec domain-specific design language propose a framework to guide
the design of such applications. From a design description in DiaSpec, the
DiaSpec compiler is capable of generating a programming framework that guides
the developer in implementing the design and that provides runtime support. In
this paper, we report on an experiment using DiaSpec (both the design language
and compiler) to develop a standard robotics application. We discuss the
benefits and problems of using DiaSpec in a robotics setting and present some
changes that would make DiaSpec a better framework in this setting.Comment: DSLRob'11: Domain-Specific Languages and models for ROBotic systems
(2011
Technology for an intelligent, free-flying robot for crew and equipment retrieval in space
Crew rescue and equipment retrieval is a Space Station Freedom requirement. During Freedom's lifetime, there is a high probability that a number of objects will accidently become separated. Members of the crew, replacement units, and key tools are examples. Retrieval of these objects within a short time is essential. Systems engineering studies were conducted to identify system requirements and candidate approaches. One such approach, based on a voice-supervised, intelligent, free-flying robot was selected for further analysis. A ground-based technology demonstration, now in its second phase, was designed to provide an integrated robotic hardware and software testbed supporting design of a space-borne system. The ground system, known as the EVA Retriever, is examining the problem of autonomously planning and executing a target rendezvous, grapple, and return to base while avoiding stationary and moving obstacles. The current prototype is an anthropomorphic manipulator unit with dexterous arms and hands attached to a robot body and latched in a manned maneuvering unit. A precision air-bearing floor is used to simulate space. Sensor data include two vision systems and force/proximity/tactile sensors on the hands and arms. Planning for a shuttle file experiment is underway. A set of scenarios and strawman requirements were defined to support conceptual development. Initial design activities are expected to begin in late 1989 with the flight occurring in 1994. The flight hardware and software will be based on lessons learned from both the ground prototype and computer simulations
Autonomous Robotic System using Non-Destructive Evaluation methods for Bridge Deck Inspection
Bridge condition assessment is important to maintain the quality of highway
roads for public transport. Bridge deterioration with time is inevitable due to
aging material, environmental wear and in some cases, inadequate maintenance.
Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods are preferred for condition assessment
for bridges, concrete buildings, and other civil structures. Some examples of
NDE methods are ground penetrating radar (GPR), acoustic emission, and
electrical resistivity (ER). NDE methods provide the ability to inspect a
structure without causing any damage to the structure in the process. In
addition, NDE methods typically cost less than other methods, since they do not
require inspection sites to be evacuated prior to inspection, which greatly
reduces the cost of safety related issues during the inspection process. In
this paper, an autonomous robotic system equipped with three different NDE
sensors is presented. The system employs GPR, ER, and a camera for data
collection. The system is capable of performing real-time, cost-effective
bridge deck inspection, and is comprised of a mechanical robot design and
machine learning and pattern recognition methods for automated steel rebar
picking to provide realtime condition maps of the corrosive deck environments
Robot Composite Learning and the Nunchaku Flipping Challenge
Advanced motor skills are essential for robots to physically coexist with
humans. Much research on robot dynamics and control has achieved success on
hyper robot motor capabilities, but mostly through heavily case-specific
engineering. Meanwhile, in terms of robot acquiring skills in a ubiquitous
manner, robot learning from human demonstration (LfD) has achieved great
progress, but still has limitations handling dynamic skills and compound
actions. In this paper, we present a composite learning scheme which goes
beyond LfD and integrates robot learning from human definition, demonstration,
and evaluation. The method tackles advanced motor skills that require dynamic
time-critical maneuver, complex contact control, and handling partly soft
partly rigid objects. We also introduce the "nunchaku flipping challenge", an
extreme test that puts hard requirements to all these three aspects. Continued
from our previous presentations, this paper introduces the latest update of the
composite learning scheme and the physical success of the nunchaku flipping
challenge
An Autonomous Surface Vehicle for Long Term Operations
Environmental monitoring of marine environments presents several challenges:
the harshness of the environment, the often remote location, and most
importantly, the vast area it covers. Manual operations are time consuming,
often dangerous, and labor intensive. Operations from oceanographic vessels are
costly and limited to open seas and generally deeper bodies of water. In
addition, with lake, river, and ocean shoreline being a finite resource,
waterfront property presents an ever increasing valued commodity, requiring
exploration and continued monitoring of remote waterways. In order to
efficiently explore and monitor currently known marine environments as well as
reach and explore remote areas of interest, we present a design of an
autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) with the power to cover large areas, the
payload capacity to carry sufficient power and sensor equipment, and enough
fuel to remain on task for extended periods. An analysis of the design and a
discussion on lessons learned during deployments is presented in this paper.Comment: In proceedings of MTS/IEEE OCEANS, 2018, Charlesto
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