Improving Collision Avoidance Behavior of a Target-Searching Algorithm for Kilobots

Collision avoidance in the area of swarm robotics is very important. The lacking ability of such collision avoidance is mentioned as one important reason for the sparse distribution of the small test robots named Kilobots. In this research paper, two new algorithms providing a collision avoidance strategy are presented and compared with previous research results. The first algorithm uses randomness to decide which one of several approaching Kilobots are stopped for a defined time before starting to move again. The second algorithm tries   to determine the assumed position of approaching Kilobots based on its radio signal strength and then to move away in the opposite direction by rotation. The results, especially of the second algorithm, are promising as the number of collisions can be significantly reduced

Innovative learning design: Experiences from gadget workshops in business informatics classes

[EN] The short paper introduces and discusses the concept of a workshop for students of the Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology study program at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, based on theoretical aspects of the experiential learning theory as well as Design Thinking. The goal of the workshop was to enhance the learning outcome of students of this practice-oriented study program. The paper proposes drivers of change for experience-oriented teaching methods as well as reflects on the experiential learning theory and design thinking approaches in education for our case, followed by an elaborate description of the conducted workshops and a discussion of the respective outcomes and experiences. The paper emphazises the observational insight, that learning from active experience as well as through creative tasks should help enhancing cognitive competencies through the application and further development of imparted topical knowledge. The presented gadget workshop aimed at increasing engagement and motivation in the respective class and, as a result of observations, enabled further research on student learning as well as course-relevant practical class activitites.Jäger, J.; Korkut, S.; Dornberger, R. (2016). Innovative learning design: Experiences from gadget workshops in business informatics classes. En 2nd. International conference on higher education advances (HEAD'16). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 341-348. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD16.2015.2755OCS34134

Quantum Computing in Supply Chain Management State of the Art and Research Directions

Quantum computing is the most promising computational advance of the coming decade for solving the most challenging problems in supply chain management and logistics. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of quantum computing and provides directions for future research. First, general concepts relevant to quantum computers and quantum computing are introduced. Second, the dominating quantum technologies are presented. Third, the quantum industry is analyzed, and recent applications in different fields of supply chain management and logistics are illustrated. Fourth, directions for future research are given. We hope this review to educate and inspire the use of quantum computing in the fields of optimization, artificial intelligence, and machine learning for supply chain and logistics

Multi-objective Evolutionary Algorithm for the Optimization of Noisy Combustion Processes

Evolutionary Algorithms have been applied to single and multiple objectives optimization problems, with a strong emphasis on problems, solved through numerical simulations. However in several engineering problems, there is limited availability of suitable models and there is need for optimization of realistic or experimental configurations. The multiobjective optimization of an experimental set-up is addressed in this work. Experimental setups present a number of challenges to any optimization technique including: availability only of pointwise information, experimental noise in the objective function, uncontrolled changing of environmental conditions and measurement failure

The Time Diagram Control Approach for the Dynamic Representation of Time-Oriented Data

The dynamic representation of time-oriented data on small screen devices is of increasing importance. Most solution approaches use issue-specific requirements based on established desktop technologies. Applied to mobile devices with small multi-touch displays such approaches often lead to a limited usability. Particularly, the time-dependent data can only be fragmentarily visualized due to limited screen sizes. Instead of reducing the complexity by visualizing the data, the interpretation of the data is getting more complex. This paper proposes a Time Diagram Control (TDC) approach, a new way of representing time-based diagrams on small screen devices. The TDC uses a principle of cybernetics to integrate the user in the visualization process and thus reduce complexity. TDC focuses on simplicity of design by only providing 2D temporal line diagrams with a dynamic zooming function that works via standard multi-touch controls. Involving the user into a continuous loop of refining the visualization, TDC allows to compare data of different temporal granularities without losing the overall context of the presented data. The TDC approach ensures constant information reliability on small screen devices

Discussing the Reality Gap by Comparing Physics Engines in Kilobot Simulations

The difference between real experiments and their simulated counterparts, the so-called reality gap, is dependent on various factors and a challenging issue for every simulation-based robot experiment. The reality gap in robot experiments is often caused by software, which is not always able to sufficiently capture particular details and process them properly. In order to minimize this difference, this paper strives to assess different simulation physics engines in V-REP, the simulation framework for the Kilobot swarm robots. The outcome of the simulation software adaption is based on a unified multi robot experiment applied to Kilobots. This paper proposes a simulation attitude, which reflects the outcomes of a real world experiment with Kilobots accurately

Success Factors of Online Learning Videos

Videos have emerged as a dominant medium for educational purposes in many Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platforms. Online learning videos are visual components of the online learning platforms. They are particularly interesting for students who are visual learners and who learn best by watching the short format engaging videos rather than by just reading or listening to course materials. The paper focuses on the categorization of factors that are responsible for the success/popularity of online learning videos. The research is based on the literature review and video observations of the MOOC platforms, in particular of the Khan Academy and Coursera. In this paper, we propose a tabular and a spider graph as a condensed overview of categories that should commonly be utilized by the online learning video production to make them successful