Image-Based Detection of Modifications in Gas Pump PCBs with Deep Convolutional Autoencoders

In this paper, we introduce an approach for detecting modifications in assembled printed circuit boards based on photographs taken without tight control over perspective and illumination conditions. One instance of this problem is the visual inspection of gas pumps PCBs, which can be modified by fraudsters wishing to deceive costumers or evade taxes. Given the uncontrolled environment and the huge number of possible modifications, we address the problem as a case of anomaly detection, proposing an approach that is directed towards the characteristics of that scenario, while being well-suited for other similar applications. The proposed approach employs a deep convolutional autoencoder trained to reconstruct images of an unmodified board, but which remains unable to do the same for images showing modifications. By comparing the input image with its reconstruction, it is possible to segment anomalies and modifications in a pixel-wise manner. Experiments performed on a dataset built to represent real-world situations (and which we will make publicly available) show that our approach outperforms other state-of-the-art approaches for anomaly segmentation in the considered scenario, while producing comparable results on the popular MVTec-AD dataset for a more general object anomaly detection task

Index to 1986 NASA Tech Briefs, volume 11, numbers 1-4

Short announcements of new technology derived from the R&D activities of NASA are presented. These briefs emphasize information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. This index for 1986 Tech Briefs contains abstracts and four indexes: subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief Number. The following areas are covered: electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, life sciences, mechanics, machinery, fabrication technology, and mathematics and information sciences

Waterborne Autonomous VEhicle

This project designed and realized the Waterborne Autonomous VEhicle (WAVE), a submersible modular robotic platform to enable research on underwater technologies at WPI at minimal cost. WAVEÂ’s primary design objectives were modularity and expandability while adhering to the regulations for the international competition held by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. WAVEÂ’s core features include a six degree-of-freedom chassis, a modular electronic infrastructure, and an easily configurable software framework

Waterborne Autonomous VEhicle

This project designed and realized the Waterborne Autonomous VEhicle (WAVE), a submersible modular robotic platform to enable research on underwater technologies at WPI at minimal cost. WAVEÂ’s primary design objectives were modularity and expandability while adhering to the regulations for the international competition held by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. WAVEÂ’s core features include a six degree-of-freedom chassis, a modular electronic infrastructure, and an easily configurable software framework

Waterborne Autonomous Vehicle

This project designed and realized the Waterborne Autonomous VEhicle (WAVE), a submersible modular robotic platform to enable research on underwater technologies at WPI at minimal cost. WAVEÂ’s primary design objectives were modularity and expandability while adhering to the regulations for the international competition held by the Association for Underwater Vehicle Systems International. WAVEÂ’s core features include a six degree-of-freedom chassis, a modular electronic infrastructure, and an easily configurable software framework

Waterborne Autonomous VEhicle

This project designed and realized the Waterborne Autonomous VEhicle (WAVE), a submersible modular robotic platform to enable research on underwater technologies at WPI at minimal cost. WAVE’s primary design objectives were modularity and expandability while adhering to the regulations for the international competition held by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. WAVE’s core features include a six degree-of-freedom chassis, a modular electronic infrastructure, and an easily configurable software framework

Index to 1981 NASA Tech Briefs, volume 6, numbers 1-4

Short announcements of new technology derived from the R&D activities of NASA are presented. These briefs emphasize information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. This index for 1981 Tech Briefs contains abstracts and four indexes: subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief Number. The following areas are covered: electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, life sciences, mechanics, machinery, fabrication technology, and mathematics and information sciences

Development of a Miniature Pipe Crawler for Application in Fossil Energy Power Plants

The power generation of fossil fuel power plants relies on burning coal to generate steam. The heat exchange between the water and burned coal occurs in the combustion chamber, which operates at a high pressure and temperature. Monitoring the integrity of the tubes inside the combustion chamber is a key factor to avoid failures. However, this is not an easy task as some areas are hard to reach and the pipeline commonly has a complex geometry. Moreover, the inspection is typically manual, external and the environment is hazardous for humans. This thesis presents the development and testing of an electrically powered pipe crawler that can navigate inside 5 cm diameter tubes and provide an assessment of their health. The crawler utilizes peristaltic motion within the tubes via interconnected modules for gripping and extending. The modular nature of the system allows it to traverse through straight sections and multiple 90◦ and 180◦ bends. Additional modules in the system include an ultrasonic sensor for tube thickness measurements, as well as environmental sensors, LiDAR, and a camera. These modules utilize a gear system that allows for 360◦ rotation and provide a means of inspecting the entire internal circumference of the tubes

ACAP: The Autonomous Cargo Aircraft Project

Development of autonomy in fly-by-wire aircraft has long been limited to multi-million dollar systems, or large remotely operated vehicles due to regulatory restrictions and the difficulty of designing a system around existing light aircraft. This report summarises the development of an experimental, optionally piloted aircraft with the capability of fully autonomous decisionmaking and controlled flight. Particular time is spent discussing the safety features of the mechanical and electrical systems, as well as a novel control system design for light aircraft autopilots. This phase of the project included successful independant ground tests of all electromechanical systems, and simulator tests of all autoflight software. The next phase of the project will include flight testing

ACAP: The Autonomous Cargo Aircraft Project

Development of autonomy in fly-by-wire aircraft has long been limited to multi-million dollar systems, or large remotely operated vehicles due to regulatory restrictions and the difficulty of designing a system around existing light aircraft. This report summarises the development of an experimental, optionally piloted aircraft with the capability of fully autonomous decision making and controlled flight. Particular time is spent discussing the safety features of the mechanical and electrical systems, as well as a novel control system design for light aircraft autopilots. This phase of the project included independant ground tests of all electromechanical systems, and simulator tests of all autoflight software. The next phase of the project will include flight testing