Importance and applications of robotic and autonomous systems (RAS) in railway maintenance sector: a review

Maintenance, which is critical for safe, reliable, quality, and cost-effective service, plays a dominant role in the railway industry. Therefore, this paper examines the importance and applications of Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) in railway maintenance. More than 70 research publications, which are either in practice or under investigation describing RAS developments in the railway maintenance, are analysed. It has been found that the majority of RAS developed are for rolling-stock maintenance, followed by railway track maintenance. Further, it has been found that there is growing interest and demand for robotics and autonomous systems in the railway maintenance sector, which is largely due to the increased competition, rapid expansion and ever-increasing expense

Asian Roboticism: Connecting Mechanized Labor to the Automation of Work

Abstract This article reconsiders the present-day automation of work and its transformation of who we are as humans. What has been missing from this important conversation are the social meanings surrounding Asian roboticism or how Asians have already been rendered as “robotic” subjects and labor. Through this racial gendered trope, I assess whether industrial automation will lessen, complicate, or exacerbate this modern archetype. By looking at corporate organizational practices and public media discourse, I believe that Asian roboticism will not simply vanish, but potentially continue to affect the ways such subjects are rendered as exploitable alienated robots without human rights or status

The Eastern Construction of the Artificial Mind

In this paper we will analyse the possible similarities and differences between scientists dealing with AI and robotics from the West and those from the East. Another question that arises is: is there such a thing as an AI & robotics paradigm specific to Eastern research? Through the analysis of cultural, philosophical and technical aspects, this research will show that there is no real Eastern model of the artificial mind, although their background ideas have influenced world-wide research in the field deeply.En este artículo vamos a analizar las posibles semejanzas y diferencias entre los científicos que se ocupan de la IA y la robótica en Oriente y Occidente. La primera pregunta que surge es: ¿existe realmente un paradigma propio oriental para la IA y la robótica? A través del análisis de los aspectos culturales, filosóficos y técnicos, esta investigación mostrará que no hay un verdadero modelo oriental de mente artificial, aunque sus ideas filosóficas han influido profundamente a nivel mundial en esa investigación

A review on the prospects of mobile manipulators for smart maintenance of railway track

Inspection and repair interventions play vital roles in the asset management of railways. Autonomous mobile manipulators possess considerable potential to replace humans in many hazardous railway track maintenance tasks with high efficiency. This paper investigates the prospects of the use of mobile manipulators in track maintenance tasks. The current state of railway track inspection and repair technologies is initially reviewed, revealing that very few mobile manipulators are in the railways. Of note, the technologies are analytically scrutinized to ascertain advantages, unique capabilities, and potential use in the deployment of mobile manipulators for inspection and repair tasks across various industries. Most mobile manipulators in maintenance use ground robots, while other applications use aerial, underwater, or space robots. Power transmission lines, the nuclear industry, and space are the most extensive application areas. Clearly, the railways infrastructure managers can benefit from the adaptation of best practices from these diversified designs and their broad deployment, leading to enhanced human safety and optimized asset digitalization. A case study is presented to show the potential use of mobile manipulators in railway track maintenance tasks. Moreover, the benefits of the mobile manipulator are discussed based on previous research. Finally, challenges and requirements are reviewed to provide insights into future research

Analysis of automatic guided vehicles and self-guided vehicles for hospital foodservice

This thesis analyzes the relative merits of Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Self Guided Vehicles (SGVs) in the area of hospital foodservice; Data is derived from the bids of Apogee Robotics for their Orbiter{dollar}\sp{\rm TM}{dollar} system (AGV) and Transitions Research Corp for the HelpMate{dollar}\sp{\rm TM}{dollar} self guided robot, to Humana Hospital Sunrise. The major difference between the two systems is that the AGV can carry a full Dietary cart with thirty trays but is limited to a pre-laid track system. Conversely HelpMate has a map of the facility programmed in its memory and can roam anywhere, but is only able to carry four trays; Final system recommendations are based on these bids and other data and a conclusion is made to lease/purchase the Helpmate self guided vehicle. A social history of the confrontation between men and machines is included

Proceedings of the Vision Zero Summit 2019 12–14 November 2019 Helsinki, Finland

The Vision Zero Summit was held on 12–14 November 2019 in Helsinki Finland, and organized by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, with the support of our partners. Vision Zero is a strategy and a holistic mindset. It is continuous improvement of safety, health, and wellbeing at work, not just a numerical goal. This summit focused on discussing different aspects of Vision Zero, taking the Vision Zero thinking and actions to the next level, and sharing best practices and lessons learned. One theme of the Summit was worded as Rethinking Vision Zero, which is a reminder that there are many perspectives to Vision Zero. Vision Zero Summit was one of the side events of Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. One of the Vision Zero Summit’s goal was to provide new ideas and perspectives, as well as strengthen participants professional networks. This Proceedings publication is a compilation of the papers presented on 12–14 November 2019 in the Vision Zero Summit 2019 in Helsinki

Robotics and high-tech : an advantage of Japanese contractors

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil Engineering, 1986.MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERINGBibliography: leaves 181-185.by Hitoshi Hasegawa.M.S

A function allocation framework for the automation of railway maintenance practices

The railway industry has seen significant innovation in intelligent maintenance systems leading to improvements in efficiency and reliability. However, ongoing challenges such as intensity of labour, hazardous environments, and operational inefficiency necessitate advancement in the deployment of Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS). Successful implementation of RAS in a railway context requires a comprehensive function allocation process. This thesis presents a novel function allocation framework for systematic task analysis and allocation. The framework includes comprehensive multi-stage evaluation criteria such as technical feasibility, overall system performance, and cost impact. Function allocation for each identified subtask is realised in an iterative manner to reach a final system design, and the structure and elements of the framework are supported by rigorous derivations and practical examples. The proposed framework has been successfully applied and thoroughly demonstrated through case studies based around the maintenance activities of wheelsets. The case studies demonstrate that the proposed framework is capable of providing guidance in system design at the preliminary stages of the introduction of automation into railway maintenance systems; also, can help to re-evaluate an already implemented system and thus propose guidance on whether the current allocation can be optimised

Research in Fluid Mechanics, Control Theory and Such in Yugoslavia

The author visited Yugoslavia's Universities of Belgrade and Sarajevo, the Institute for Control and Computer Sciences ofthe Energoinvest company, and two research institutes - Stefan Institute and Rudger Boskovic Institute. He reports on the control theory, fluid mehanics, and other research being done there