Abstract
Robots created for education have different purposes, from learning algorithms to learning robotics. It has been shown that robots can increase the student's interest. Our proposed robot, REDi, uses wire programming to introduce students to the basics of robotics and algorithms. With this robot, attractive, interactive demonstrations can be achieved even with students that have no background in the area.

Abstract
The adoption of NAO humanoid robots in the RoboCup Standard Platform League (SPL) broguht a new set of challenges on this league on the computer vision area. This paper presents a new color indexing mode and a study of the impact of the reduction of the color spectrum, to be processed on the classification, segmentation and object detection, in a NAO robot, playing on the SPL league. The experiments were performed in the context of the Portuguese Team concluding that a 21 bit look-up table may replace the current 24 bit table used.

Abstract
Autonomous Vehicles are a topic of important research, also being visually appealing to the public and attractive to educators and researchers. The autonomous driving competition in the Portuguese Robotics Open tries to take advantage of this context but concerns arise from lack of participators. Participants mention the complexity of issues related to the challenge, the space occupied for the track and the budget needed for participation. This paper takes advantage of a realistic simulator under Gazebo/ROS, studies a new track design and proposes a change in the track. The analysis presented tries to ascertain if the new design facilitates the learning process that is intended for participants while keeping visual appeal for both the general public and the participants. The proposed setup for the rules and simulator is expected to address the mentioned concerns. The rule's modification and simulator are evaluated and tested, hinting that expected learning outcomes are encouraged and the track occupied area is reduced. Learning includes mobile robotics (discrete event system and continuous control), real time artificial image vision systems (2D at image recognition and processing of real world imagery seen in 3D perspective), general real world robotics such as mechanics, control, programming, batteries, systems thinking as well as transversal skills such as team cooperation, soft skills, etc. Shown results hint that the new track and realistic simulation are promising to foster learning and hopefully attract more competing teams.

Abstract
The so called 'Soft Skills' (SSs) are the set of non-technical skills that enable a given individual to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. These skills are also interesting for the promotion of deep knowledge and to foster academic success. The case study analyses the very special 'Projeto FEUP' course that promotes SSs across all engineering programmes in the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), in Portugal. This is done right after the arrival of students at the institution by means of producing several communicational items over an adequate technical work. The study involved 781 students. The presented results hint that Soft Skills are, in fact, improved after half-semester but this is not the sole product of the mentioned course.

Abstract
Assessing physical activity (PA) is a challenging task and many different approaches have been proposed. Direct observation (DO) techniques can objectively code both the behavior and the context in which it occurred, however, they have significant limitations such as the cost and burden associated with collecting and processing data. Therefore, this study evaluated the utility of an automated video analysis system (CAM) designed to record and discriminate the intensity of PA using a subject tracking methodology. The relative utility of the CAM system and DO were compared with criterion data from an objective accelerometry-based device (Actigraph GT3X+). Eight 10 year old children (three girls and five boys) wore the GT3X+ during a standard basketball session. PA was analyzed by two observers using the SOPLAY instrument and by the CAM system. The GT3X+ and the CAM were both set up to collect data at 30 Hz while the DO was performed every two minutes, with 10s of observation for each gender. The GT3X+ was processed using cut points by Evanson and the outcome measure was the percentage of time spent in different intensities of PA. The CAM data were processed similarly using the same speed thresholds as were used in establishing the Evenson cut-off points (light: <2 mph; walking: 2-4 mph; very active: >4 mph). Similar outcomes were computed from the SOPLAY default analyses. A chi-square test was used to test differences in the percentage of time at the three intensity zones (light, walking and very active). The Yates' correction was used to prevent overestimation of statistical significance for small data. When compared with GT3X+, the CAM had better results than the SOPLAY. The chi-square test yielded the following pairwise comparisons: CAM versus GT3x+ was chi(2) (5) = 24.18, p < .001; SOPLAY2 versus GT3x+ was chi(2) (5) = 144.44, p < .001; SOPLAY1 versus GT3x+ was chi(2) (5) = 119.55, p < .001. The differences were smaller between CAM and GT3x+, suggesting that the video tracking system provided better agreement than DO. The small sample size precludes a definitive evaluation but the results show that the CAM video system may have promise for automated coding of physical activity behavior.

Abstract
The need for efficient automation methods has prompted the rapid development in the field of Robotics. The development of intelligent robots leads to the ability of them becoming an operator highly efficient and able to adapt to a wide range of problems. Still, despite of the several robotic solutions available, the majority of current industrial robots do not use the Robotic Operative System (ROS) and have limitations in terms of autonomously correct errors during their tasks. An important aspect to consider when developing a new robot is the selection of the methodology for recognition of the objects to be handled. In this paper, it will be presented an approach with enough flexibility to be potentially applicable to different scenarios of object recognition and handling normally found in industrial environment. The main aim is for this application to be applied to pick and place routines in robotics. Moreover it will be presented one particular case study that used the proposed approach, the European Robotics Challenges (EUROC) - a challenge aiming to develop a robot for shop floor logistics and manipulation. Our proposed approach is based on the three tiers paradigm: 1-recognition/sensing tier, 2-effector tier and 3-the control tier and was built using the ROS framework. Since ROS is becoming one of the most useful tools in robotics nowadays, the possibility of using a methodology able to be expressed in ROS allows for the development of a standard approach to pick and place operations. Another advantage of our proposed pick and place approach is the ability to have a robot safely and efficiently inserted in an unknown environment. This is possible due to the insertion of an adaptive control tier in our methodology. The proposed approach can be valuable in the field of robotics and can be potentially applied in multiple tasks and it has already allowed us to advance to the next stage of the already mention challenge.