A NUPlatform for software on articulated mobile robots.

The development of software for robot systems is an involved process, that frequently results in a robot specific system. However, through careful design, frameworks that can be used on multiple operating systems and robot platforms can be created. This paper proposes such a framework. The framework makes use of a blackboard and a class hierarchy to enable high–level software modules to be robot and operating system independent. The blackboard is used to standardise the transfer of information and allow for the high–level modules to adapt to changes in the robot hardware in real–time. The class hierarchy encapsulates the platform dependent aspects and provides a means of implementation sharing between different platforms. Furthermore, the hierarchy for the behaviour and motion modules simplify the addition of robot specific sections, and allow them to coexist. The NUPlatform framework has been applied to six different platforms, including four physical robots and a simulator, and runs under several different operating system. The framework has also been successfully used in several research projects to implement vastly different robot behaviours

A Review of Robot Rescue Simulation Platforms for Robotics Education

This review explores a natural learning curve which gives an appropriate RoboCup Rescue challenge at the right age. Children who got involved in the age group 14+ should continue their learning experience until they reach graduate level. To reduce the cost of such a learning experience, simulation is an attractive option in a large part of the world. The realism of the simulations and challenges should increase step-by-step, which are supported by more powerful but also more complex interfaces at each level/age-group. The result is a natural learning curve which allows for life-long learning. In this paper, we detail the requirements for such a platform and review a number of different simulation platforms and accompanying interfaces focusing on suitability for use for education rescue robotics. Resulting from this review of simulation platforms, a case-study of an example ‘game field’ rescue simulation platform suitable for students at different points along the learning curve

Tech United Eindhoven @Home 2019 champions paper

\u3cp\u3eThis paper provides an overview of the main developments of the Tech United Eindhoven RoboCup @Home team. Tech United uses an advanced world modeling system called the Environment Descriptor. It allows straightforward implementation of localization, navigation, exploration, object detection & recognition, object manipulation and robot-robot cooperation skills based on the most recent state of the world. Other important features include object and people detection via deep learning methods, a GUI, speech recognition, natural language interpretation and a chat interface combined with a conversation engine. Recent developments that aided with obtaining the victory during RoboCup 2019 include pointing detection, usage of HSR’s display, a people detector and the addition of a custom keyboard in the chat interface.\u3c/p\u3