Abstract
Tire inspection is presently done by workers who have as their main problems, besides identifying the defects, the time available for defect identification and the inherent costs. Companies can become more sustainable by adopting automated methods to perform such type of processes, such as artificial vision, with advantages both in the processing time and in the incurred costs. This paper addresses the development of an artificial vision system that aims to be an asset in the field of tyre inspection, having as main characteristics its execution speed and its reliability. The conjugation of these criteria is a prerequisite for this system to be able to be integrated in inspection machines. The paper focusses on the study of three image processing methods to be used in the identification of marks (red dots) on tires. In this work was used the free Open Computer Vision artificial vision library to process the images acquired by a Basler matrix camera. Two different techniques, namely Background Subtraction and Hough Transform, were tested to implement the solution. After developing the artificial vision inspection application, tests were made to measure the performance of both methods and the results were promising: processing time was low and, simultaneous, the achieved accuracy is high.

Abstract
This work aims to apply the concepts associated with neural networks in the control of an autonomous robot system. The robot was tested in several arbitrary paths in order to verify the effectiveness of the neural control. The results show that the robot performed the tasks with success. Moreover, in the case of arbitrary paths the neural control outperforms other methodologies, such as fuzzy logic control.

Abstract
Presently we are witnessing an increasing adoption of industrial robots, with predictions for their further dissemination in distinct sectors. Some studies show that there is a lack of people able to plan the introduction of these equipments in manufacturing environments and to operate them after its inception, leading to the need to train undergraduates in the operation and programming of industrial robots. Due to the Portuguese economic situation, there is a lack of funding for the Higher Education Institutions, leading to the need of finding innovative ways to teach these subjects. Bearing these ideas in mind, ISEP began teaching a course on Industrial Robotics based in the achievement of the practical training using ABB RobotStudio (from ABB Robotics) robot simulation software for off-line programming. This paper describes the main results of such experience and the evaluation of the course made by the students who have attended this course. The results of surveys conducted to the students after the end of the course show the excellent acceptance that this course format has achieved among them, the good results that have been achieved in terms of their knowledge acquisition, and has allowed the author to get students feedback in order to introduce improvements in the course.

Abstract
Following the successful results obtained in the previous editions of the TEEM Conference, a new edition of this event was held at ISEP/IPP - School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Porto -, on October 7-9, 2015. The TEEM Conference was organized in thematic tracks, being one of them devoted to the topic of "Robotics in Education". This topic tries to strengthen different skills for future engineers/scientists by the means of the design, construction and programming of robots. These skills are related to various fields like science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Also, and equally important, the introduction of the robot in the classroom, both at school and college and even as extracurricular activity, promotes a host of outcomes such as technological fluency, creativity, participation, support, collaboration and cooperation. The purpose of the track "A Robot in the Classroom" was to bring together researchers, teachers and practitioners interested in the Robotics in Education. This track emphasized the exchange of experiences, methodologies and materials to motivate students about science and technology.

Abstract
A problem faced by oil companies is the maintenance of the location register of pipelines that cross the surf zone, the regular survey of their location, and also their inspection. A survey of the state of art did not allow identifying operating systems capable of executing such tasks. Commercial technologies available on the market also do not address this problem and/or do not satisfy the presented requirements. A possible solution is to use robotic systems which have the ability to walk on the shore and in the surf zone, subject to existing currents and ripples, and being able to withstand these ambient conditions. In this sense, the authors propose the development of a spider crab biologically inspired robot to achieve those tasks. Based on these ideas, this work presents a biomechanical study of the spider crab, its modeling and simulation using the SimMechanics toolbox of Matlab/Simulink, which is the first phase of this more vast project. Results show a robot model that is moving in an "animal like" manner, the locomotion, the algorithm presented in this paper allows the crab to walk sideways, in the desired direction.

Abstract
The goal of this project, one of the proposals of the EPS@ISEP 2014 Spring, was to develop an Aquaponics System. Over recent years Aquaponics systems have received increased attention due to its possibilities in helping reduce strain on resources within 1st and 3rd world countries. Aquaponics is the combination of Hydroponics and Aquaculture and mimics a natural environment in order to successfully apply and enhance the understanding of natural cycles within an indoor process. By using this knowledge of natural cycles it was possible to create a system with the capabilities similar to that of a natural environment with the benefits of electronic adaptions to enhance the overall efficiency of the system. The multinational team involved in its development was composed of five students, from five countries and fields of study. This paper covers their solution, involving overall design, the technology involved and the benefits it could bring to the current market. The team was able to achieve the final rendered Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings, successfully performed all the electronic testing, and designed a solution under budget. Furthermore, the solution presented was deeply studied from the sustainability viewpoint and the team also developed a product specific marketing plan. Finally, the students involved in this project obtained new knowledge and skills.