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Publications

Publications by CRIIS

2020

Development of an Autonomous Mobile Towing Vehicle for Logistic Tasks

Authors
Rocha, C; Sousa, I; Ferreira, F; Sobreira, H; Lima, J; Veiga, G; Moreira, AP;

Publication
FOURTH IBERIAN ROBOTICS CONFERENCE: ADVANCES IN ROBOTICS, ROBOT 2019, VOL 1

Abstract
Frequently carrying high loads and performing repetitive tasks compromises the ergonomics of individuals, a recurrent scenario in hospital environments. In this paper, we design a logistic planner of a fleet of autonomous mobile robots for the automation of transporting trolleys around the hospital, which is independent of the space configuration, and robust to loss of network and deadlocks. Our robotic solution has an innovative gripping system capable of grasping and pulling non-modified standard trolleys just by coupling a plate. Robots are able to navigate autonomously, to avoid obstacles assuring the safety of operators, to identify and dock a trolley, to access charging stations and elevators, and to communicate with the latter. An interface was built allowing users to command the robots through a web server. It is shown how the proposed methodology behaves in experiments conducted at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto and Braga's Hospital.

2020

Path Planning Aware of Robot's Center of Mass for Steep Slope Vineyards

Authors
Santos, L; Santos, F; Mendes, J; Costa, P; Lima, J; Reis, R; Shinde, P;

Publication
ROBOTICA

Abstract
Steep slope vineyards are a complex scenario for the development of ground robots. Planning a safe robot trajectory is one of the biggest challenges in this scenario, characterized by irregular surfaces and strong slopes (more than 35 degrees). Moving the robot through a pile of stones, spots with high slope or/and with wrong robot yaw may result in an abrupt fall of the robot, damaging the equipment and centenary vines, and sometimes imposing injuries to humans. This paper presents a novel approach for path planning aware of center of mass of the robot for application in sloppy terrains. Agricultural robotic path planning (AgRobPP) is a framework that considers the A* algorithm by expanding inner functions to deal with three main inputs: multi-layer occupation grid map, altitude map and robot's center of mass. This multi-layer grid map is updated by obstacles taking into account the terrain slope and maximum robot posture. AgRobPP is also extended with algorithms for local trajectory replanning during the execution of a trajectory that is blocked by the presence of an obstacle, always assuring the safety of the re-planned path. AgRobPP has a novel PointCloud translator algorithm called PointCloud to grid map and digital elevation model (PC2GD), which extracts the occupation grid map and digital elevation model from a PointCloud. This can be used in AgRobPP core algorithms and farm management intelligent systems as well. AgRobPP algorithms demonstrate a great performance with the real data acquired from AgRob V16, a robotic platform developed for autonomous navigation in steep slope vineyards.

2020

Optimal Sensors Positioning to Detect Forest Fire Ignitions

Authors
Brito, T; Pereira, AI; Lima, J; Castro, JP; Valente, A;

Publication
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 9TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OPERATIONS RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS (ICORES)

Abstract
Forests have been harassed by fire in recent years. Whether by human action or for other reasons, the burned area has increased harming fauna and flora. It is fundamental to detect an ignition early in order to firefighters fight the fire minimizing the fire impacts. The proposed Forest Monitoring System aims to improve the nature monitoring and to enhance the existing surveillance systems. A set of innovative operations is proposed that will allow to identify a forest ignition and also will monitor the fauna. For that, a set of sensors are being developed and placed in the forest to transmit data and identify forest fire ignition. This paper addresses a methodology that identifies the optimal positions to place the developed sensors in order to minimize the fire hazard. Some preliminary results are shown by a stochastic algorithm that spread points to position the sensor modules in areas with a high risk of fire hazard.

2020

Wireless Sensor Network for Ignitions Detection: An IoT approach

Authors
Brito, T; Pereira, AI; Lima, J; Valente, A;

Publication
ELECTRONICS

Abstract
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) can be used to acquire environmental variables useful for decision-making, such as agriculture and forestry. Installing a WSN on the forest will allow the acquisition of ecological variables of high importance on risk analysis and fire detection. The presented paper addresses two types of WSN developed modules that can be used on the forest to detect fire ignitions using LoRaWAN to establish the communication between the nodes and a central system. The collaboration between these modules generate a heterogeneous WSN; for this reason, both are designed to complement each other. The first module, the HTW, has sensors that acquire data on a wide scale in the target region, such as air temperature and humidity, solar radiation, barometric pressure, among others (can be expanded). The second, the 5FTH, has a set of sensors with point data acquisition, such as flame ignition, humidity, and temperature. To test HTW and 5FTH, a LoRaWAN communication based on the Lorix One gateway is used, demonstrating the acquisition and transmission of forest data (simulation and real cases). Even in internal or external environments, these results allow validating the developed modules. Therefore, they can assist authorities in fighting wildfire and forest surveillance systems in decision-making.

2020

Preface

Authors
Silva, MF; Lima, JL; Reis, LP; Sanfeliu, A; Tardioli, D;

Publication
Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing

Abstract

2020

RoboSTEAM Project Systematic Mapping: Challenge Based Learning and Robotics

Authors
Conde, MA; Sedano, FJR; Fernandez Llamas, C; Goncalves, J; Lima, J; Garcia Penalvo, FJ;

Publication
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2020 IEEE GLOBAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION CONFERENCE (EDUCON 2020)

Abstract
STEAM Education is nowadays a key element for our current digital society. Integrating STEAM and developing competences such as Computational Thinking is highly demanded by the industry and higher education institutions. In order to do so new methodological approaches are required. RoboSTEAM project is an Erasmus+ project defined to address these topics by using of physical devices and robotics employing Challenge Based Learning methodology. One of the first steps in the project development is the definition of current landscape in the research field. Which means to carry out a literature mapping that considers previous applications of Challenge Based Learning in STEAM education and use of robots and physical devices to do so. This paper shows the mapping review process and the main results obtained. The mapping analyze 242 candidate works from the most relevant bibliographic sources and selected 54. Form them it was possible to see that there are not many initiatives on STEM Education related to Challenge base learning and the most of them are specially focused on the application of specific tools and in the development of concrete competences.

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