A reconfigurable, tendon-based haptic interface for research into human-environment interactions

Human reaction to external stimuli can be investigated in a comprehensive way by using a versatile virtual-reality setup involving multiple display technologies. It is apparent that versatility remains a main challenge when human reactions are examined through the use of haptic interfaces as the interfaces must be able to cope with the entire range of diverse movements and forces/torques a human subject produces. To address the versatility challenge, we have developed a large-scale reconfigurable tendon-based haptic interface which can be adapted to a large variety of task dynamics and is integrated into a Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE). To prove the versatility of the haptic interface, two tasks, incorporating once the force and once the velocity extrema of a human subject's extremities, were implemented: a simulator with 3-DOF highly dynamic force feedback and a 3-DOF setup optimized to perform dynamic movements. In addition, a 6-DOF platform capable of lifting a human subject off the ground was realized. For these three applications, a position controller was implemented, adapted to each task, and tested. In the controller tests with highly different, task-specific trajectories, the three robot configurations fulfilled the demands on the application-specific accuracy which illustrates and confirms the versatility of the developed haptic interfac

Configuração informacional na gestão da cadeia de valor e utilização de Business Intelligence (BI)

The great quantity of information available and the data dispersion on the current business environment have become important barriers to be surmounted by managers. An effective data/ information analysis is a useful tool for obtaining or maintaining a competitive advantage. The objective of this paper is to discuss the elements that can constitute an informational configuration to support the decision making process in an educational institution. The analysis, carried out using tools of Business Intelligence (BI), has made possible to give a better understanding of the strategic aspects of the decision making process for the involved managers. Furthermore, the value chain management was analyzed towards a better positioning of the information technology, as a basis for a better competitiveness. The integration of informational configuration in the strategic decision flow has also improved the understanding of the technological infrastructure available in the market. Key words: informational configuration, strategic decision, value chain, business intelligence.O excesso de informação e a dispersão dos dados no ambiente empresarial têm se constituído em importantes barreiras a serem vencidas pelos gestores na atualidade, com o objetivo de melhoria do processo decisório. A análise eficaz de dados e informações internas e externas à empresa constitui-se num meio para a obtenção e/ou sustentação de uma vantagem competitiva. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste artigo é apresentar, por meio de uma perspectiva teórica e direcionada a um caso prático de uma Unidade de Ensino, alguns elementos, ou tipos de sistemas, que possam integrar uma configuração informacional para apoiar a tomada de decisões estratégicas na instituição abordada. A análise, realizada sob a metodologia de estudo de caso, torna possível a visualização do direcionamento da tomada de decisões, utilizando-se da tecnologia de informação denominada Business Intelligence (BI). Por fim, é analisada a gestão da cadeia de valor referenciada como base para a vantagem competitiva e o posicionamento da Tecnologia da Informação (TI). A combinação da configuração informacional no fluxo de decisões estratégicas evidencia um melhor entendimento da infra-estrutura tecnológica disponível no mercado. Palavras-chave: configuração informacional, decisões estratégicas, cadeia de valor, business intelligence

Configuração informacional na gestão da cadeia de valor e utilização de Business Intelligence (BI)

The great quantity of information available and the data dispersion on the current business environment have become important barriers to be surmounted by managers. An effective data/ information analysis is a useful tool for obtaining or maintaining a competitive advantage. The objective of this paper is to discuss the elements that can constitute an informational configuration to support the decision making process in an educational institution. The analysis, carried out using tools of Business Intelligence (BI), has made possible to give a better understanding of the strategic aspects of the decision making process for the involved managers. Furthermore, the value chain management was analyzed towards a better positioning of the information technology, as a basis for a better competitiveness. The integration of informational configuration in the strategic decision flow has also improved the understanding of the technological infrastructure available in the market. Key words: informational configuration, strategic decision, value chain, business intelligence.O excesso de informação e a dispersão dos dados no ambiente empresarial têm se constituído em importantes barreiras a serem vencidas pelos gestores na atualidade, com o objetivo de melhoria do processo decisório. A análise eficaz de dados e informações internas e externas à empresa constitui-se num meio para a obtenção e/ou sustentação de uma vantagem competitiva. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste artigo é apresentar, por meio de uma perspectiva teórica e direcionada a um caso prático de uma Unidade de Ensino, alguns elementos, ou tipos de sistemas, que possam integrar uma configuração informacional para apoiar a tomada de decisões estratégicas na instituição abordada. A análise, realizada sob a metodologia de estudo de caso, torna possível a visualização do direcionamento da tomada de decisões, utilizando-se da tecnologia de informação denominada Business Intelligence (BI). Por fim, é analisada a gestão da cadeia de valor referenciada como base para a vantagem competitiva e o posicionamento da Tecnologia da Informação (TI). A combinação da configuração informacional no fluxo de decisões estratégicas evidencia um melhor entendimento da infra-estrutura tecnológica disponível no mercado. Palavras-chave: configuração informacional, decisões estratégicas, cadeia de valor, business intelligence

A reconfigurable, tendon-based haptic interface for research into human-environment interactions

Human reaction to external stimuli can be investigated in a comprehensive way by using a versatile virtual-reality setup involving multiple display technologies. It is apparent that versatility remains a main challenge when human reactions are examined through the use of haptic interfaces as the interfaces must be able to cope with the entire range of diverse movements and forces/torques a human subject produces. To address the versatility challenge, we have developed a large-scale reconfigurable tendon-based haptic interface which can be adapted to a large variety of task dynamics and is integrated into a Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE). To prove the versatility of the haptic interface, two tasks, incorporating once the force and once the velocity extrema of a human subject's extremities, were implemented: a simulator with 3-DOF highly dynamic force feedback and a 3-DOF setup optimized to perform dynamic movements. In addition, a 6-DOF platform capable of lifting a human subject off the ground was realized. For these three applications, a position controller was implemented, adapted to each task, and tested. In the controller tests with highly different, task-specific trajectories, the three robot configurations fulfilled the demands on the application-specific accuracy which illustrates and confirms the versatility of the developed haptic interface