Interactive semantic mapping: Experimental evaluation

Robots that are launched in the consumer market need to provide more effective human robot interaction, and, in particular, spoken language interfaces. However, in order to support the execution of high level commands as they are specified in natural language, a semantic map is required. Such a map is a representation that enables the robot to ground the commands into the actual places and objects located in the environment. In this paper, we present the experimental evaluation of a system specifically designed to build semantically rich maps, through the interaction with the user. The results of the experiments not only provide the basis for a discussion of the features of the proposed approach, but also highlight the manifold issues that arise in the evaluation of semantic mapping

RobotAssist - A platform for human robot interaction research

This paper presents RobotAssist, a robotic platform designed for use in human robot interaction research and for entry into Robocup@Home competition. The core autonomy of the system is implemented as a component based software framework that allows for integration of operating system independent components, is designed to be expandable and integrates several layers of reasoning. The approaches taken to develop the core capabilities of the platform are described, namely: path planning in a social context, Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM), human cue sensing and perception, manipulatable object detection and manipulation

Mobility in China: a conceptual take on a personal vehicle for China in 2020 that enhances maneuverability

China has the largest projected automobile market in the world, expected to surpass the United States as the largest car market in the world by 2025. The combination of large population, a mass movement of citizens to cities, and a pollution crisis creates unique opportunities in China for automobile design. The first generations of Chinese to embrace the automobile have been attracted to them by the same values that have been embraced by the West such as prestige, a reflection of personal success, and a sense of freedom of movement. This attraction has given rise to traditional brands such as Buick, Audi and Mercedes Benz. However, as a new generation matures aware of China\u27s problems presented by a growing number of automobiles, a shift is happening. Awareness of ecological issues, as well as an acute sense of forthcoming issues with traffic density inside and surrounding China\u27s vast metropolises, suggests future generations are more willing to embrace alternative solutions. China has a young automotive identity, currently relating to aesthetic qualities of certain brands. Without the same historical narrative that has informed the rise of the car in the West, China is poised to create one that can respond more acutely to its needs. With fossil fuels the source of many potential problems in both pollution and cost of use, alternative energy vehicles will likely form the backbone of future growth of the automobile in China. Currently Toyota, GM, BMW, and Audi, to name a few, are actively pursuing alternative energy power plant designs. By 2020, alternative energy vehicles will make up a significant percentage of new vehicle sales in the Western world. Potential solutions come in the form of gas and diesel hybrids, all electric, hydrogen fuel cell and Hydrogen internal combustion engines. For a car to successfully meet the needs of Chinese consumers, it will need to be both ecologically friendly and highly maneuverable to maximize use of the limited space available on congested streets. The simple act of making a U-turn on a narrow street in a conventional four-wheeled vehicle can cause traffic jams. Additionally, automation in future thoroughfares can reduce the space between individual automobiles, effectively placing more vehicles in less space. This thesis establishes the need for rethinking the physical footprint of the automobile in the context of the Chinese market and provides a framework for a new vehicle design

Spartan Daily September 13, 2011

Volume 137, Issue 8https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/1062/thumbnail.jp

Spartan Daily September 13, 2011

Volume 137, Issue 8https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/1062/thumbnail.jp

European regulatory framework for person carrier robots

The aim of this paper is to establish the grounds for a future regulatory framework for Person Carrier Robots, which includes legal and ethical aspects. Current industrial standards focus on physical human–robot interaction, i.e. on the prevention of harm. Current robot technology nonetheless challenges other aspects in the legal domain. The main issues comprise privacy, data protection, liability, autonomy, dignity, and ethics. The paper first discusses the need to take into account other interdisciplinary aspects of robot technology to offer complete legal coverage to citizens. As the European Union starts using impact assessment methodology for completing new technologies regulations, a new methodology based on it to approach the insertion of personal care robots will be discussed. Then, after framing the discussion with a use case, analysis of the involved legal challenges will be conducted. Some concrete scenarios will contribute to easing the explanatory analysis

Just Tell Me The Rules! Or When Did The Rules Change?

Anne is an experienced direct marketer. Just promoted to CEO, Anne proves to be naïve in managing The ABC Catalog Company, despite her twenty years of experience with the company. She prefers to set simple, straightforward rules for her direct reports to follow. Her management philosophy has been influenced by advice from her mentor and by her personal experiences working with her direct reports when they were her colleagues. According to Anne “The big picture is for her (and perhaps her newly-appointed and trusted CFO, Jeff) to worry about.” Anne feels that many of her direct reports are incapable or unwilling to deal with the inevitable trade-offs that senior management must make, especially as new trends emerge. Yet she is unwilling to undergo a major management shake-up. Anne’s management approach backfires as the industry faces limits to growth and the company’s long-standing business model is tested. As management bonuses plummet and the parent company starts to meddle by bringing in consultants, the Merchandising SVP, Brad, sees his best career opportunity. He is frustrated with the diminished role Anne has allotted him and the perception that his nemesis, Jeff, is the heir apparent. That is supposed to be Brad’s destiny. His ego cannot take the slight. Brad takes the ultimate gamble, bringing his self-serving scenario of what ails The ABC Catalog Company to the parent company’s attention

The multiplicity of sociocultural behaviour in tourism: working at sailing experience Barcelona

Final Version (This version includes the comments and suggestions of the panel of examiners)This report is part of the curricular internship of the master’s degree in Intercultural Studies for Business, from the Porto Accounting and Business School. The internship was carried out at Sailing Experience Barcelona in the city of Barcelona, Spain. Culture defines someone’s behaviour and action towards a situation, depending on their background, beliefs, morals and customs in which they were brought in when growing up. People of the same society, albeit unaware, tend to respond similarly when faced with a particular circumstance. In tourism, tourists of the same nationality/culture tend to behave similarly when in a similar situation. The focus of this report will be describing the internship functions and activities carried out, the impact of Covid-19 in Spain, Barcelona and my internship. It will also focus on a brief study case on the sociocultural behaviour of tourists, specifically in Sailing Experience Barcelona, in which I was able to observe various behaviour from numerous tourists of specific nationalities/cultures.Este relatório insere-se no âmbito de estágio curricular do mestrado em Estudos Interculturais para Negócios, do Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto. O estágio foi realizado em Sailing Experience Barcelona na cidade de Barcelona, Espanha. Cultura define o comportamento e ações de um individuo em relação à situação na qual se inserem, dependendo da sua formação, crenças, moral e costumes nos quais foi criado. Indivíduos da mesma sociedade, embora não sabendo, tendem a responder de forma semelhante quando confrontadas com uma determinada circunstância. No turismo, turistas da mesma nacionalidade / cultura tendem a comportar-se de forma semelhante quando situados num cenário idêntico. O foco deste relatório será descrever as funções do estágio e atividades realizadas, o impacto da Covid-19 em Espanha, Barcelona e no meu estágio. Será também apresentado um breve estudo de caso sobre o comportamento sociocultural dos turistas, nomeadamente em Sailing Experience Barcelona, no qual pude observar vários comportamentos de inúmeros turistas de determinadas nacionalidades/culturas