Advances in Intelligent Robotics and Collaborative Automation

This book provides an overview of a series of advanced research lines in robotics as well as of design and development methodologies for intelligent robots and their intelligent components. It represents a selection of extended versions of the best papers presented at the Seventh IEEE International Workshop on Intelligent Data Acquisition and Advanced Computing Systems: Technology and Applications IDAACS 2013 that were related to these topics. Its contents integrate state of the art computational intelligence based techniques for automatic robot control to novel distributed sensing and data integration methodologies that can be applied to intelligent robotics and automation systems. The objective of the text was to provide an overview of some of the problems in the field of robotic systems and intelligent automation and the approaches and techniques that relevant research groups within this area are employing to try to solve them.The contributions of the different authors have been grouped into four main sections:• Robots• Control and Intelligence• Sensing• Collaborative automationThe chapters have been structured to provide an easy to follow introduction to the topics that are addressed, including the most relevant references, so that anyone interested in this field can get started in the area

Enabling the Development and Implementation of Digital Twins : Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Construction Applications of Virtual Reality

Welcome to the 20th International Conference on Construction Applications of Virtual Reality (CONVR 2020). This year we are meeting on-line due to the current Coronavirus pandemic. The overarching theme for CONVR2020 is "Enabling the development and implementation of Digital Twins". CONVR is one of the world-leading conferences in the areas of virtual reality, augmented reality and building information modelling. Each year, more than 100 participants from all around the globe meet to discuss and exchange the latest developments and applications of virtual technologies in the architectural, engineering, construction and operation industry (AECO). The conference is also known for having a unique blend of participants from both academia and industry. This year, with all the difficulties of replicating a real face to face meetings, we are carefully planning the conference to ensure that all participants have a perfect experience. We have a group of leading keynote speakers from industry and academia who are covering up to date hot topics and are enthusiastic and keen to share their knowledge with you. CONVR participants are very loyal to the conference and have attended most of the editions over the last eighteen editions. This year we are welcoming numerous first timers and we aim to help them make the most of the conference by introducing them to other participants

Advances in Intelligent Robotics and Collaborative Automation

This book provides an overview of a series of advanced research lines in robotics as well as of design and development methodologies for intelligent robots and their intelligent components. It represents a selection of extended versions of the best papers presented at the Seventh IEEE International Workshop on Intelligent Data Acquisition and Advanced Computing Systems: Technology and Applications IDAACS 2013 that were related to these topics. Its contents integrate state of the art computational intelligence based techniques for automatic robot control to novel distributed sensing and data integration methodologies that can be applied to intelligent robotics and automation systems. The objective of the text was to provide an overview of some of the problems in the field of robotic systems and intelligent automation and the approaches and techniques that relevant research groups within this area are employing to try to solve them.The contributions of the different authors have been grouped into four main sections:• Robots• Control and Intelligence• Sensing• Collaborative automationThe chapters have been structured to provide an easy to follow introduction to the topics that are addressed, including the most relevant references, so that anyone interested in this field can get started in the area

Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) is a natural development from virtual reality (VR), which was developed several decades earlier. AR complements VR in many ways. Due to the advantages of the user being able to see both the real and virtual objects simultaneously, AR is far more intuitive, but it's not completely detached from human factors and other restrictions. AR doesn't consume as much time and effort in the applications because it's not required to construct the entire virtual scene and the environment. In this book, several new and emerging application areas of AR are presented and divided into three sections. The first section contains applications in outdoor and mobile AR, such as construction, restoration, security and surveillance. The second section deals with AR in medical, biological, and human bodies. The third and final section contains a number of new and useful applications in daily living and learning

Microelectrode cluster technology for precise interactions with neuronal circuits. Towards highly specific adaptive deep brain stimulation.

Neuro-electronic interfaces, which can be used for stable communication between neurons-computers over long periods of time, would be valuable for understanding and interacting with the nervous system. A major challenge has been to overcome the tissue reactions towards implanted electrodes. Flexible microelectrodes that cause less implantation injury and which can follow the micromotions of the brain have been considered as a solution to achieve stable neuronal recordings and stimulations. The aim of this thesis work was therefore to develop and evaluate biocompatible neuro-electronic interfaces, as well as introduce new implantation methods which together allow stable recordings and spatially precise stimulation of the brainTo this end, we have developed a new generation of ultrathin flexible electrode arrays based on 12.5 µm thin wires embedded in a gelatin vehicle providing structural support during implantation. The gelatin embedded electrodes were implanted in rat brains via a narrow track line and spread out as a cluster in the target area. In the first study, we evaluated the performance of the neural recordings for eight weeks with respect to impedance, signal amplitudes and noise levels. We found impedance, and signal to noise ratio of single units to be quite stable, suggesting high biocompatibility. In the second study, we developed a gelatin embedded microelectrode array consisting of 16 microelectrodes, distally equipped with silicone cushions to reduce vascular damage. This array was implanted medial to the subthalamic nucleus, in 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats (a classical animal model for Parkinson’s disease), and the effects of deep brain stimulation were evaluated for 6 weeks. Stimulation with subsets of 4-8 electrodes evoked specific motor behaviors in all the tested rats. Depending on the exact electrode combination, stimulation elicited either improvement of locomotion, or grooming and rearing, increased turning, dyskinesia, or no movement. These results suggest that improved stimulation specificity can be obtained by choosing the right group of electrodes from the cluster. In the third study, we hypothesized that reducing the tissue resistance during the insertion of the electrodes would minimize the implantation injury. To address this problem, we coated gelatin embedded needles with a layer of ice, which on melting, provided a super slippery surface during insertion into the brain. The addition of a layer of melting ice decreased the insertion force by approximately 50%, significantly reduced neuronal loss, as well as the astrocytic response, but did not have any obvious effect on microglial activation.In conclusion, this thesis presents a novel design for implantable and biocompatible neuro-electronic interfaces comprising highly flexible microelectrodes rendering stable recording properties and improved stimulation specificity. In addition, a novel implantation vehicle was developed to reduce the acute tissue reactions in response to the implantatio

Proceedings of the 8th International congress on architectural technology (ICAT 2019): architectural technology, facing the renovation and refurbishment challenge.

During the past decade, the construction industry focus has largely been on the many new challenges brought about by the sustainability/climate change agenda and the introduction of BIM in new build. The theme of the next ICAT conference will focus on all issues related to the renovation, refurbishment and re-use of existing buildings. Given the fact that more than half of the industry’s activity is dedicated to these types of building work, the focus seems highly needed. Architectural technology is at the core of the industry where the interplay of many factors creates varied interfaces. Academics and professionals associated with the discipline are ideally placed to lead as we strive to enhance the design, delivery and performance of existing and new buildings as well as the industry at large. This congress will be a vehicle to disseminate research, education and practice at these interfaces

A white paper: NASA virtual environment research, applications, and technology

Research support for Virtual Environment technology development has been a part of NASA's human factors research program since 1985. Under the auspices of the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST), initial funding was provided to the Aerospace Human Factors Research Division, Ames Research Center, which resulted in the origination of this technology. Since 1985, other Centers have begun using and developing this technology. At each research and space flight center, NASA missions have been major drivers of the technology. This White Paper was the joint effort of all the Centers which have been involved in the development of technology and its applications to their unique missions. Appendix A is the list of those who have worked to prepare the document, directed by Dr. Cynthia H. Null, Ames Research Center, and Dr. James P. Jenkins, NASA Headquarters. This White Paper describes the technology and its applications in NASA Centers (Chapters 1, 2 and 3), the potential roles it can take in NASA (Chapters 4 and 5), and a roadmap of the next 5 years (FY 1994-1998). The audience for this White Paper consists of managers, engineers, scientists and the general public with an interest in Virtual Environment technology. Those who read the paper will determine whether this roadmap, or others, are to be followed