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
When defining the layout for a production line, it is necessary to assign tasks to workstations, so that the work is performed in a feasible sequence and approximately equal amounts of time are needed at each workstation, a process called line balancing. Therefore, the need for balancing production lines involves the distribution of sequential activities for jobs in order to allow high labour and equipment utilisation and minimise the idle time. Line balancing problems are complex to treat, being used distinct methodologies to perform it. This paper describes an application for line balancing using two genetic algorithms (the first obtains solutions to the problem and the second optimises those solutions), associated with a graphical interface for the problem data input and visualisation of results. Results demonstrate advantages over heuristic methods as it is possible to obtain more than one solution and it is more practical to use the developed application. Copyright © 2016 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Abstract
The work described in this paper address the problems of productivity of Grohe's Portugal grinding/polishing department, related to the frequent stops of robotic cells for on-line programming and program adjustments. The solution to the stated problem was achieved through the adoption of off-line programming as an alternative to the conventional on-line method. Efforts were developed to overcome some limitations and restrictions found in terms of the software applications used, in order to adapt and improve their use to the needs of this type of contact applications. The solution developed is currently used for off-line programming the grinding robots at Grohe Portugal, with a significant reduction in the cells stop time to program the robots and also in the cycle time. The application of the off-line programming method and of the new programming techniques allowed to obtain a reduction of the cell stop time (up to 85% reduction), to optimize the production cycle time (up to 10% reduction) and, simultaneously, good results in terms of product finishing. The main limitations faced are the lack of realism of the wheel flexibility and the lack of sensitivity of the contact force with it.

Abstract
This paper presents the development of a behavior-based AGV using fuzzy logic. A robot platform and a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) are developed for the embodiment of different behaviors. Experimental results are given to assess the performance of the AGV and to validate the proposed design schemes for its construction and control. © 2013, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Abstract
There are many man-made structures near the ocean, in the so called splash zone. These structures are submitted to corrosion and need to be inspected periodically, which is difficult to be performed by humans. Therefore, automated solutions should be devised, able to withstand the conditions found there. Given that some animals live in this environment, the authors propose the development of a biological inspired robot for achieving such inspection tasks. With this purpose, a biomechanical study of the spider crab was developed, focusing on the anatomy and locomotion of this animal, using the Matlab/Simulink SimMechanics toolbox. © 2018 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

Abstract
The presented work allowed the creation of a quadruped robot model (with flexible body, its legs and its hip and knee joints) in the virtual simulation program Simmechanics (TM). The final objective is to use this simulation model to optimize quadruped robot locomotion. The model developed accepts different gaits by direct introduction of the angular positions of the knee and hip joints. Feet-ground interaction was also modelled using a theoretic model described in the literature.