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Publications

Publications by António Paulo Moreira

2016

Robust mobile robot localization based on a security laser: an industry case study

Authors
Sobreira, H; Moreira, AP; Costa, P; Lima, J;

Publication
INDUSTRIAL ROBOT-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL

Abstract
Purpose - This paper aims to address a mobile robot localization system that avoids using a dedicated laser scanner, making it possible to reduce implementation costs and the robot's size. The system has enough precision and robustness to meet the requirements of industrial environments. Design/methodology/approach - Using an algorithm for artificial beacon detection combined with a Kalman Filter and an outlier rejection method, it was possible to enhance the precision and robustness of the overall localization system. Findings - Usually, industrial automatic guide vehicles feature two kinds of lasers: one for navigation placed on top of the robot and another for obstacle detection (security lasers). Recently, security lasers extended their output data with obstacle distance (contours) and reflectivity. These new features made it possible to develop a novel localization system based on a security laser. Research limitations/implications - Once the proposed methodology is completely validated, in the future, a scheme for global localization and failure detection should be addressed. Practical implications - This paper presents a comparison between the presented approach and a commercial localization system for industry. The proposed algorithms were tested in an industrial application under realistic working conditions. Social implications - The presented methodology represents a gain in the effective cost of the mobile robot platform, as it discards the need for a dedicated laser for localization purposes. Originality/value - This paper presents a novel approach that benefits from the presence of a security laser on mobile robots (mandatory sensor when considering industrial applications), using it simultaneously with other sensors, not only to guarantee safety conditions during operation but also to locate the robot in the environment. This paper is also valuable because of the comparison made with a commercialized system, as well as the tests conducted in real industrial environments, which prove that the approach presented is suitable for working under these demanding conditions.

2015

Robust Mobile Robot Localization based on Security Laser Scanner

Authors
Sobreira, H; Moreira, AP; Costa, PG; Lima, J;

Publication
2015 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AUTONOMOUS ROBOT SYSTEMS AND COMPETITIONS (ICARSC)

Abstract
This paper addresses the development of a new localization system based on a security laser presented on most AGVs for safety reasons. An enhanced artificial beacons detection algorithm is applied with a combination of a Kalman filter and an outliers rejection method in order to increase the robustness and precision of the system. This new robust approach allows to implement such system in current AGVs. Real results in industrial environment validate the proposed methodology.

2015

Robust Robot Localization Based on the Perfect Match Algorithm

Authors
Sobreira, H; Pinto, M; Moreira, AP; Costa, PG; Lima, J;

Publication
CONTROLO'2014 - PROCEEDINGS OF THE 11TH PORTUGUESE CONFERENCE ON AUTOMATIC CONTROL

Abstract
Self-localization of a robot in an indoor plant is one of the most important requirement in mobile robotics. This paper addresses the application and improvement of a well known localization algorithm used in Robocup Midsize league competition in real service and industrial robots. This new robust approach is based on modeling the quality of several measures and minimizing the maching error. The presented innovative work applies the robotic football knowledge to other fields with high accuracy. Real and simulated results allow to validate the proposed methodology.

2015

Streaming Image Sequences for Vision-Based Mobile Robots

Authors
Pinto, AM; Moreira, AP; Costa, PG;

Publication
CONTROLO'2014 - PROCEEDINGS OF THE 11TH PORTUGUESE CONFERENCE ON AUTOMATIC CONTROL

Abstract
Vision-based mobile robots have severe limitations related to the computational capabilities that are required for processing their algorithms. The vision algorithms processed onboard and without resorting to specialized computing devices do not achieve the real-time constraints that are imposed by that kind of systems. This paper describes a scheme for streaming image sequences in order to be used by techniques of artificial vision. A mobile robot with this architecture can stream image sequences over the network infrastructure for a device with higher computing power. Therefore, the robot assures the real-time performance with a reduced consumption of energy which increases its autonomy. The experiments conducted without using specialized computers proved that the proposed architecture can stream sequences of images with a resolution of 640x480 at 25 frames per second.

2015

Time enhanced A*: Towards the development of a new approach for Multi-Robot Coordination

Authors
Santos, J; Costa, P; Rocha, LF; Moreira, AP; Veiga, G;

Publication
2015 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY (ICIT)

Abstract
In this paper the authors focus on presenting a new path planning approach for a multi-robot transportation system in an industrial case scenario. The proposed method is based on the A* heuristic search in a cell decomposition scenario, for which a time component was added - Time Enhanced A* or simply TEA*. To access the flexibility and efficiency of the proposed algorithm, a set of experiments were performed in a simulated industrial environment. During trials execution the proposed algorithm has shown high capability on preventing/dealing with the occurrence of deadlocks in the transportation system.

2016

Validation of a Time Based Routing Algorithm Using a Realistic Automatic Warehouse Scenario

Authors
Santos, J; Costa, P; Rocha, L; Vivaldini, K; Paulo Moreira, AP; Veiga, G;

Publication
ROBOT 2015: SECOND IBERIAN ROBOTICS CONFERENCE: ADVANCES IN ROBOTICS, VOL 2

Abstract
Traffic Control is one of the fundamental problems in the management of an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) system. Its main objectives are to assure efficient conflict free routes and to avoid/solve system deadlocks. In this sense, and as an extension of our previouswork, this paper focus on exploring the capabilities of the Time Enhanced A* (TEA*) to dynamically control a fleet of AGVs, responsible for the execution of a predetermined set of tasks, considering an automatic warehouse case scenario. During the trial execution the proposed algorithm, besides having shown high capability on preventing/dealing with the occurrence of deadlocks, it also has exhibited high efficiency in the generation of free collision trajectories. Moreover, it was also selected an alternative from the state-of-art, in order to validate the TEA* results and compare it.

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