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Publications

2024

A Robotic Framework for the Robot@Factory 4.0 Competition

Authors
Sousa, RB; Rocha, CD; Martins, JG; Costa, JP; Padrao, JT; Sarmento, JM; Carvalho, JP; Lopes, MS; Costa, PG; Moreira, AP;

Publication
2024 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AUTONOMOUS ROBOT SYSTEMS AND COMPETITIONS, ICARSC

Abstract
Robotic competitions stand as platforms to propel the forefront of robotics research while nurturing STEM education, serving as hubs of both applied research and scientific innovation. In Portugal, the Portuguese Robotics Open (FNR) is an event with several robotic competitions, including the Robot@Factory 4.0 competition. This competition presents an example of deploying autonomous robots on a factory shop floor. Although the literature has works proposing frameworks for the original version of the Robot@Factory competition, none of them proposes a system framework for the Robot@Factory 4.0 version that presents the hardware, firmware, and software to complete the competition and achieve autonomous navigation. This paper proposes a complete robotic framework for the Robot@Factory 4.0 competition that is modular and open-access, enabling future participants to use and improve it in future editions. This work is the culmination of all the knowledge acquired by winning the 2022 and 2023 editions of the competition.

2024

Towards a more inclusive mobility: participatory mobility planning at a metropolitan scale

Authors
Carvalho J.; de Sousa J.P.; Macário R.;

Publication
Transportation Research Procedia

Abstract
Participatory processes are an essential aspect of collaborative planning and decision-making processes, but designing such processes effectively can be quite challenging. This work departs from the assumptions that in sustainable urban mobility planning, the functional urban area needs to be considered, and that citizen engagement is often enacted at the neighborhood level. Under these assumptions, we have examined the experiences of 6 metropolitan cases (Bologna, Nantes, Manchester, Montreal, Christchurch, and Santiago de Chile) and draw insights from their experiences. We conclude this work with some general reflections on the importance of systemic approaches to effectively plan for sustainable transitions in urban mobility.

2024

Performance evaluation of national and international kidney exchange programmes with the ENCKEP simulator

Authors
Druzsin, K; Biró, P; Klimentova, X; Fleiner, R;

Publication
CENTRAL EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OPERATIONS RESEARCH

Abstract
In this paper we present simulations for international kidney exchange programmes (KEPs). KEPs are organised in more than ten countries in Europe to facilitate the exchanges of immunologically incompatible donors. The matching runs are typically conducted in every three months for finding optimal exchanges using hierarchical optimisation with integer programming techniques. In recent years several European countries started to organise international exchanges using different collaboration policies. In this paper we conduct simulations for estimating the benefits of such collaborations with a simulator developed by the team of the ENCKEP COST Action. We conduct our simulations on generated datasets mimicking the practice of the three largest KEPs in Europe, the UK, Spanish and the Dutch programmes. Our main performance measure is the number of transplants compared to the number of registrations to the KEP pools over a 5-year period, however, as a novelty we also analyse how the optimisation criteria play a role in the lexicographic and weighted optimisation policies for these countries. Besides analysing the performances on a single instance, we also conduct large number of simulations to obtain robust findings on the performance of specific national programmes and on the possible benefits of international collaborations.

2024

A One-Step Methodology for Identifying Concrete Pathologies Using Neural Networks-Using YOLO v8 and Dataset Review

Authors
Diniz, JDN; de Paiva, AC; Braz, G Jr; de Almeida, JDS; Silva, AC; Cunha, AMTD; Cunha, SCAPD;

Publication
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL

Abstract
Pathologies in concrete structures can be visually evidenced on the concrete surface, such as by fissures or cracks, fragmentation of part of the concrete, concrete efflorescence, corrosion stains on the concrete surface, or exposed steel bars, the latter two occurring in reinforced concrete. Therefore, these pathologies can be analyzed via the images of concrete structures. This article proposes a methodology for visually inspecting concrete structures using deep neural networks. This method makes it possible to speed up the detection task and increase its effectiveness by saving time in preparing the identifications to be analyzed and eliminating or reducing errors, such as those resulting from human errors caused by the execution of tedious, repetitive analysis tasks. The methodology was tested to analyze its accuracy. The neural network architecture used for detection was YOLO, versions 4 and 8, which was tested to analyze the gain with migration to a more recent version. The dataset for classification was Ozgnel, which was trained with YOLO version 8, and the detection dataset was CODEBRIM. The use of a dedicated classification dataset allows for a better-trained network for this function and results in the elimination of false positives in the detection stage. The classification achieved 99.65% accuracy.

2024

A Machine Learning as a Service (MLaaS) Approach to Improve Marketing Success

Authors
Pereira, I; Madureira, A; Bettencourt, N; Coelho, D; Rebelo, MA; Araújo, C; de Oliveira, DA;

Publication
INFORMATICS-BASEL

Abstract
The exponential growth of data in the digital age has led to a significant demand for innovative approaches to assess data in a manner that is both effective and efficient. Machine Learning as a Service (MLaaS) is a category of services that offers considerable potential for organisations to extract valuable insights from their data while reducing the requirement for heavy technical expertise. This article explores the use of MLaaS within the realm of marketing applications. In this study, we provide a comprehensive analysis of MLaaS implementations and their benefits within the domain of marketing. Furthermore, we present a platform that possesses the capability to be customised and expanded to address marketing's unique requirements. Three modules are introduced: Churn Prediction, One-2-One Product Recommendation, and Send Frequency Prediction. When applied to marketing, the proposed MLaaS system exhibits considerable promise for use in applications such as automated detection of client churn prior to its occurrence, individualised product recommendations, and send time optimisation. Our study revealed that AI-driven campaigns can improve both the Open Rate and Click Rate. This approach has the potential to enhance customer engagement and retention for businesses while enabling well-informed decisions by leveraging insights derived from consumer data. This work contributes to the existing body of research on MLaaS in marketing and offers practical insights for businesses seeking to utilise this approach to enhance their competitive edge in the contemporary data-oriented marketplace.

2024

Unlocking the potential of digital twins to achieve sustainability in seaports: the state of practice and future outlook

Authors
Homayouni, SM; de Sousa, JP; Marques, CM;

Publication
WMU JOURNAL OF MARITIME AFFAIRS

Abstract
This paper examines the role of digital twins (DTs) in promoting sustainability within seaport operations and logistics. DTs have emerged as promising tools for enhancing seaport performance. Despite the recognized potential of DTs in seaports, there is a paucity of research on their practical implementation and impact on seaport sustainability. Through a systematic literature review, this study seeks to elucidate how DTs contribute to the sustainability of seaports and to identify future research and practical applications. We reviewed and categorized 68 conceptual and practical digital applications into ten core areas that effectively support economic, social, and environmental objectives in seaports. Furthermore, this paper proposes five preliminary potential applications for DTs where practical implementations are currently lacking. The primary findings indicate that DTs can enhance seaport sustainability by facilitating real-time monitoring and decision-making, improving safety and security, optimizing resource utilization, enhancing collaboration and communication, and supporting the development of the seaport ecosystem. Additionally, this study addresses the challenges associated with DT implementation, including high costs, conflicting stakeholder priorities, data quality and availability, and model validation. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications for seaport managers and policymakers.

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