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Publications

Publications by António Paulo Moreira

2013

Modeling and simulation of the EMG30 geared motor with encoder resorting to simtwo: The official robot@factory simulator

Authors
Gonçalves, J; Lima, J; Costa, PJ; Moreira, AP;

Publication
Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering

Abstract
This paper describes the EMG30 mechanical and electrical modeling and its simulation resorting to SimTwo (Robot@Factory mobile robot competition official simulator). It is described the developed setup applied to obtain the experimental data that was used to estimate the actuator parameters. It was obtained an electro-mechanical dynamical model that describes the motor, its gear box, and the encoder. The motivation to model and simulate the EMG30 is the fact that it is an actuator worldwide popular in the mobile robotics domain, being a low cost 12v motor equipped with encoders and a 30:1 reduction gearbox. The Goal of this work is to provide more realism and new features to the Robot@Factory official simulator, allowing participating teams to produce and validate different robot prototypes and its software, reducing considerably the development time. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2013.

2014

New Marker for Real-Time Industrial Robot Programming by Motion Imitation

Authors
Ferreira, M; Costa, P; Rocha, L; Paulo Moreira, AP; Pires, N;

Publication
2014 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION (ICRA)

Abstract
This paper presents a new marker for robot programming by demonstration through motion imitation. The device is based on high intensity LEDs (light emission diodes) which are captured by a pair of industrial cameras. Using stereoscopy, the marker supplies 6-DoF (degrees of freedom) human wrist tracking with both position and orientation data. We propose a robust technique for camera and stereo calibration which maps camera coordinates directly into the desired robot frame, using a single LED. The calibration and tracking procedures are thoroughly described. The tests show that the marker presents a new robust, accurate and intuitive method for industrial robot programming. The system is able to perform in real-time and requires only a single pair of industrial cameras though more can be used for improved effectiveness and accuracy.

2014

Object recognition and pose estimation for industrial applications: A cascade system

Authors
Rocha, LF; Ferreira, M; Santos, V; Moreira, AP;

Publication
ROBOTICS AND COMPUTER-INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING

Abstract
The research work presented in this paper focuses on the development of a 3D object localization and recognition system to be used in robotics conveyor coating lines. These requirements were specified together with enterprises with small production series seeking a full robotic automation of their production line that is characterized by a wide range of products in simultaneous manufacturing. Their production process (for example heat or coating/painting treatments) limits the use of conventional identification systems attached to the object in hand. Furthermore, the mechanical structure of the conveyor introduces geometric inaccuracy in the object positioning. With the correct classification and localization of the object, the robot will be able to autonomously select the right program to execute and to perform coordinate system corrections. A cascade system performed with Support Vector Machine and the Perfect Match (point cloud geometric template matching) algorithms was developed for this purpose achieving 99.5% of accuracy. The entire recognition and pose estimation procedure is performed in a maximum time range of 3 s with standard off the shelf hardware. It is expected that this work contributes to the integration of industrial robots in highly dynamic and specialized production lines.

2013

Object recognition using laser range finder and machine learning techniques

Authors
Pinto, AM; Rocha, LF; Paulo Moreira, AP;

Publication
ROBOTICS AND COMPUTER-INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING

Abstract
In recent years, computer vision has been widely used on industrial environments, allowing robots to perform important tasks like quality control, inspection and recognition. Vision systems are typically used to determine the position and orientation of objects in the workstation, enabling them to be transported and assembled by a robotic cell (e.g. industrial manipulator). These systems commonly resort to CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) Cameras fixed and located in a particular work area or attached directly to the robotic arm (eye-in-hand vision system). Although it is a valid approach, the performance of these vision systems is directly influenced by the industrial environment lighting. Taking all these into consideration, a new approach is proposed for eye-on-hand systems, where the use of cameras will be replaced by the 2D Laser Range Finder (LRF). The LRF will be attached to a robotic manipulator, which executes a pre-defined path to produce grayscale images of the workstation. With this technique the environment lighting interference is minimized resulting in a more reliable and robust computer vision system. After the grayscale image is created, this work focuses on the recognition and classification of different objects using inherent features (based on the invariant moments of Hu) with the most well-known machine learning models: k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN), Neural Networks (NNs) and Support Vector Machines (SVMs). In order to achieve a good performance for each classification model, a wrapper method is used to select one good subset of features, as well as an assessment model technique called K-fold cross-validation to adjust the parameters of the classifiers. The performance of the models is also compared, achieving performances of 83.5% for kNN, 95.5% for the NN and 98.9% for the SVM (generalized accuracy). These high performances are related with the feature selection algorithm based on the simulated annealing heuristic, and the model assessment (k-fold cross-validation). It makes possible to identify the most important features in the recognition process, as well as the adjustment of the best parameters for the machine learning models, increasing the classification ratio of the work objects present in the robot's environment.

2013

Radiation tests on a bluetooth based front-end electronic device towards a subcutaneous continuous glucose monitoring sensor

Authors
Silva, S; Soares, S; Valente, A; Moreira, A;

Publication
Proceedings of 2013 Science and Information Conference, SAI 2013

Abstract
The metabolic disorder which entails the absent or reduced control of blood glucose in the body by means of insulin dependence (Type 1) or intolerance (Type 2) affected more than 366 million people in 2011. This represents an increase of 28% new cases in one year. Diabetes Mellitus has become the most common chronic diseases in nearly all countries, and continues to increase in numbers and significance, as economic development and urbanization lead to changing lifestyles characterized by reduced physical activity, and increased obesity. Recent advances in wireless sensor networking technology have led to the development of low cost, low power, multifunctional sensor nodes that enable environment sensing together with data processing. Instrumented with a variety of sensors, such as temperature, humidity, volatile compound detection, bio implanted sensors; the development of such networks requires testing for transmission distance and human body interference. As Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) operates in the free 2.4GHz ISM band, the same band that Wi-Fi signals operate, tests regarding interference, robustness and coexistence must be made in order to ensure Quality of Service (QoS) and therefore achieve medical diagnostic equipment status. This paper presents a BLE prototype and compares the results obtained in terms of radiated power over distance with and without physical barriers. © 2013 The Science and Information Organization.

2013

Recognizing Industrial Manipulated Parts Using the Perfect Match Algorithm

Authors
Rocha, LF; Ferreira, M; Veiga, G; Moreira, AP; Santos, V;

Publication
ROBOTICS IN SMART MANUFACTURING

Abstract
The objective of this work is to develop a highly robust 3D part localization and recognition algorithm. This research work is driven by the needs specified by enterprises with small production series that seek for full robotic automation in their production line, which processes a wide range of products and cannot use dedicated identification devices due to technological processes. With the correct classification of the part, the robot will be able to autonomously select the correct program to execute. For this purpose, the Perfect Match algorithm, which is known by its computational efficiency, high precision and robustness, was adapted for object recognition achieving a 99.7% of classification rate. The expected practical implication of this work is contributing to the integration of industrial robots in highly dynamic and specialized lines, reducing the companies' dependency on skilled operators.

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