GUARDIANS final report

Emergencies in industrial warehouses are a major concern for firefghters. The large dimensions together with the development of dense smoke that drastically reduces visibility, represent major challenges. The Guardians robot swarm is designed to assist fire fighters in searching a large warehouse. In this report we discuss the technology developed for a swarm of robots searching and assisting fire fighters. We explain the swarming algorithms which provide the functionality by which the robots react to and follow humans while no communication is required. Next we discuss the wireless communication system, which is a so-called mobile ad-hoc network. The communication network provides also one of the means to locate the robots and humans. Thus the robot swarm is able to locate itself and provide guidance information to the humans. Together with the re ghters we explored how the robot swarm should feed information back to the human fire fighter. We have designed and experimented with interfaces for presenting swarm based information to human beings

Modeling a Longitudinal Relational Research Data System

A study was conducted to propose a research-based model for a longitudinal data research system that addressed recommendations from a synthesis of literature related to: (1) needs reported by the U.S. Department of Education, (2) the twelve mandatory elements that define federally approved state longitudinal data systems (SLDS), (3) the constraints experienced by seven Midwestern states toward providing access to essential educational and employment data, and (4) constraints reported by experts in data warehousing systems. The review of literature investigated U.S. government legislation related to SLDS and protection of personally identifiable information, SLDS design and complexity, repurposing business data warehouse systems for educational outcomes research, and the use of longitudinal research systems for education and employment outcomes. The results were integrated with practitioner experience to derive design objectives and design elements for a model system optimized for longitudinal research. The resulting model incorporated a design-build engineering approach to achieve a cost effective, obsolescence-resistant, and scalable design. The software application has robust security features, is compatible with Macintosh and PC computers, and is capable of two-way live connections with industry standard database hardware and software. Design features included: (1) An inverted formal planning process to connect decision makers and data users to the sources of data through development of local interactive research planning tools, (2) a data processing module that replaced personally identifiable information with a system-generated code to support the use of de-identified disaggregate raw data across tables and agencies in all phases of data storage, retrieval, analysis, visualization, and reporting in compliance with restrictions on disclosure of personally identifiable information, (3) functionality to support complex statistical analysis across data tables using knowledge discovery in databases and data mining techniques, and (4) integrated training for users. The longitudinal research database model demonstrates the result of a top down-bottom up design process which starts with defining strategic and operational planning goals and the data that must be collected and analyzed to support them. The process continues with analyzing and reporting data in a mathematically programmed, fully functional system operated by multiple level users that could be more effective and less costly than repurposed business data warehouse systems

A comparison of barcoding and RFID technologies in practice

This research paper highlights inconsistencies in the way Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is compared to existing barcoding technology and the lack of empirical evidence to support one’s superiority over the other. Reference is drawn to the way in which RFID and barcoding tech- nologies are represented in the literature. Time and motion studies were conducted in a distribution company’s chilled warehouse where RFID technology had already been trialled and implemented on recyclable refrigerated food trays and in operation alongside barcoding systems. Attention was given to recording the number and nature of errors that each technology exhibited. This paper concludes that while RFID can deliver improved operational performance over tradi- tional barcode systems, it is found to be less reliable in implementation. Hybrid systems may offer operational benefits over single-technology systems, but the cost of their complexity still needs to be examined