Modelling of Autonomous Search and Rescue Missions by Interval-Valued Neutrosophic WASPAS Framework

The application of autonomous robots in search and rescue missions represents a complex task which requires a robot to make robust decisions in unknown and dangerous environments. However, imprecise robot movements and small measurement errors obtained by robot sensors can have an impact on the autonomous environment exploration quality, and therefore, should be addressed while designing search and rescue (SAR) robots. In this paper, a novel frontier evaluation strategy is proposed, that address technical, economic, social, and environmental factors of the sustainable environment exploration process, and a new extension of the weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) method, modelled under interval-valued neutrosophic sets (IVNS), is introduced for autonomous mobile robots. The general-purpose Pioneer 3-AT robot platform is applied in simulated search and rescue missions, and the conducted experimental assessment shows the proposed method efficiency in commercial and public-type building exploration. By addressing the estimated measurement errors in the initial data obtained by the robot sensors, the proposed decision-making framework provides additional reliability for comparing and ranking candidate frontiers. The interval-valued multi-criteria decision-making method combined with the proposed frontier evaluation strategy enables the robot to exhaustively explore and map smaller SAR mission environments as well as ensure robot safety and efficient energy consumption in relatively larger public-type building environments.This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques for Improvement Sustainability Engineering Processe

Selection of lead-zinc flotation circuit design by applying WASPAS method with single-valued neutrosophic set

In this paper, selection of adequate circuit design of lead-zinc froth flotation, which has a significant impact on the processing costs and useful minerals utilization, is considered. This complex selection problem can be adequately presented as an MCDM problem. Three different circuit design schemes are considered: Sequential Selective Pn-Zn flotation, Collective-Sequential Selective Pn-Zn flotation, Collective Pn-Zn flotation. An approach for solving complex decision-making problems based on the use of WASPAS method and singlevalued neutrosophic sets, namely WASPAS-SVNS, is proposed. The efficiency and usability of the proposed approach are considered on the example of a lead-zinc flotation scheme selection problem

Application of geographical information systems in modelling of military operations

The algorithm of the stochastic model of combat is given in article. Random functions describing the basic processes of combat (movement of military personnel, detection of the enemy, firing and its results, etc.) are recorded. Corresponding mathematical expressions and numerical evaluations are given. Application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technologies and three‐dimensional map in planning battle tactics are discussed. First Published Online: 14 Oct 201

Application of Sustainability Principles for Harsh Environment Exploration by Autonomous Robot

Currently, the European Union (EU) is focusing on a large-scale campaign dedicated to developing a competitive circular economy and expanding the single digital market. One of the main goals of this campaign is the implementation of the sustainability principles in the development and deployment cycle of the new generation technologies. This paper focuses on the fast-growing field of autonomous mobile robots and the harsh environment exploration problem. Currently, most state-of-the-art navigation methods are utilising the idea of evaluating candidate observation locations by combining different task-related criteria. However, these map building solutions are often designed for operating in near-perfect environments, neglecting such factors as the danger to the robot. In this paper, a new strategy that aims to address the safety and re-usability of the autonomous mobile agent by implementing the economic sustainability principles is proposed. A novel multi-criteria decision-making method of Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment—Single-Valued Neutrosophic Sets, namely WASPAS-SVNS, and the weight selection method of Step-Wise Weights Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) are applied to model a dynamic decision-making system. The experimental evaluation of the proposed strategy shows that increased survivability of the autonomous agent can be observed. Compared to the greedy baseline strategy, the proposed method forms the movement path which orients the autonomous agent away from dangerous obstacles.This article belongs to the Special Issue Soft Computing for Sustainabilit

The simulation of an infantry attack using geographical information systems

An infantry attack over a specific terrain is modeled. A stochastic method described in our previous study is used. In this model, the position of each soldier during the attack is approximately defined by a square [10 × 10 m] on the battlefield. Making use of the possibilities inherent in a three‐dimensional digital map, a visibility matrix is made up, i. e. the indication whether the enemy sees the soldier in a specific case is given. First Published Online: 14 Oct 201

MULTIMOORA under Interval-Valued Neutrosophic Sets as the Basis for the Quantitative Heuristic Evaluation Methodology HEBIN

During the last decade, researchers put a lot of effort into the development of the multi-criteria decision methods (MCDM) capable of dealing with the uncertainty and vagueness of the initial information. MCDM approaches that work under the environment of the interval-valued neutrosophic sets (IVNS) demonstrate credibility for the analysis of different opinions as well as for the inconsistency of the criteria evaluation data. The novel multicriteria decision-making approach MULTIMOORA-IVNS (multi-objective optimisation by ratio analysis under interval-valued neutrosophic sets) is presented in this paper. A novel heuristic evaluation methodology HEBIN (heuristic evaluation based on interval numbers) that exploits MULTIMOORA-IVNS for the processing of the evaluation results is also presented in this research. HEBIN is able to increase the accuracy of the checklists-based heuristic evaluation and to diminish the impact of the inconsistencies caused by the evaluators. A comparison of six e-commerce websites is introduced to reveal the practicalities of the proposed multicriteria decision-making application.This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Criteria Decision Makin

VASMA Weighting: Survey-Based Criteria Weighting Methodology that Combines ENTROPY and WASPAS-SVNS to Reflect the Psychometric Features of the VAS Scales

Data symmetry and asymmetry might cause difficulties in various areas including criteria weighting approaches. Preference elicitation is an integral part of the multicriteria decision-making process. Weighting approaches differ in terms of accuracy, ease of use, complexity, and theoretical foundations. When the opinions of the wider audience are needed, electronic surveys with the matrix questions consisting of the visual analogue scales (VAS) might be employed as the easily understandable data collection tool. The novel criteria weighting technique VASMA weighting (VAS Matrix for the criteria weighting) is presented in this paper. It respects the psychometric features of the VAS scales and analyzes the uncertainties caused by the survey-based preference elicitation. VASMA weighting integrates WASPAS-SVNS for the determination of the subjective weights and Shannon entropy for the calculation of the objective weights. Numerical example analyzing the importance of the criteria that affect parents’ decisions regarding the choice of the kindergarten institution was performed as the practical application. Comparison of the VASMA weighting and the direct rating (DR) methodologies was done. It revealed that VASMA weighting is able to overcome the main disadvantages of the DR technique—the high biases of the collected data and the low variation of the criteria weights.This article belongs to the Special Issue Symmetric and Asymmetric Data in Solution Model

Algorithm Selection for Edge Detection in Satellite Images by Neutrosophic WASPAS Method

Nowadays, integrated land management is generally governed by the principles of sustainability. Land use management usually is grounded in satellite image information. The detection and monitoring of areas of interest in satellite images is a difficult task. We propose a new methodology for the adaptive selection of edge detection algorithms using visual features of satellite images and the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. It is not trivial to select the most appropriate method for the chosen satellite images as there is no proper algorithm for all cases as it depends on many factors, like acquisition and content of the raster images, visual features of real-world images, and humans’ visual perception. The edge detection algorithms were ranked according to their suitability for the appropriate satellite images using the neutrosophic weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) method. The results obtained using the created methodology were verified with results acquired in an alternative way—using the edge detection algorithms for specific images. This methodology facilitates the selection of a proper edge detector for the chosen image content.This article belongs to the Collection Advanced Methodologies for Sustainability Assessment: Theory and Practic

Assessment of the Segmentation of RGB Remote Sensing Images: A Subjective Approach

The evaluation of remote sensing imagery segmentation results plays an important role in the further image analysis and decision-making. The search for the optimal segmentation method for a particular data set and the suitability of segmentation results for the use in satellite image classification are examples where the proper image segmentation quality assessment can affect the quality of the final result. There is no extensive research related to the assessment of the segmentation effectiveness of the images. The designed objective quality assessment metrics that can be used to assess the quality of the obtained segmentation results usually take into account the subjective features of the human visual system (HVS). A novel approach is used in the article to estimate the effectiveness of satellite image segmentation by relating and determining the correlation between subjective and objective segmentation quality metrics. Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation was used for satellite images after applying a k-means++ clustering algorithm based on colour information. Simultaneously, the dataset of the satellite images with ground truth (GT) based on the “DeepGlobe Land Cover Classification Challenge” dataset was constructed for testing three classes of quality metrics for satellite image segmentation.This article belongs to the Special Issue The Quality of Remote Sensing Optical Images from Acquisition to UsersThis research has received funding from the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT), agreement No. S-MIP-19-27

An Extension of Fuzzy SWOT Analysis: An Application to Information Technology

When considering today’s uncertain atmosphere, many people and organizations believe that strategy has lost its meaning and position. When future is predictable, common approaches for strategic planning are applicable; nonetheless, vague circumstances require different methods. Accordingly, a new approach that is compatible with uncertainty and unstable conditions is necessary. Fuzzy logic is a worldview compatible with today complicated requirements. Regarding today’s uncertain and vague atmosphere, there is an absolute requirement to fuzzify the tools and strategic planning models, especially for dynamic and unclear environment. In this research, an extended version of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) fuzzy approach has been presented for strategic planning based on fuzzy logic. It has solved the traditional strategic planning key problems like internal and external factors in imprecision and ambiguous environment. The model has been performed in an information technology corporation to demonstrate the capabilities in real world cases.This article belongs to the Section Information System