Search results for "Robotics"
showing 10 items of 484 documents
An adaptive probabilistic approach to goal-level imitation learning
2010
Imitation learning has been recognized as a promising technique to teach robots advanced skills. It is based on the idea that robots could learn new behaviors by observing and imitating the behaviors of other skilled actors. We propose an adaptive probabilistic graphical model which copes with three core issues of any imitative behavior: observation, representation and reproduction of skills. Our model, Growing Hierarchical Dynamic Bayesian Network (GHDBN), is hierarchical (i.e. able to characterize structured behaviors at different levels of abstraction), and growing (i.e. skills are learned or updated incrementally - and at each level of abstraction - every time a new observation sequence…
Energy Efficient Optimization for Solar-Powered UAV Communications System
2021
In this work, we explore the energy efficiency optimization for a solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communications system. We consider a scenario where a number of ground users (GUs) connect with a solar-powered multi-antenna UAV over a wireless link. First, we are able to derive the relations between the uplink data rate and heading angle of UAV and transmission power of GUs. In addition, the harvested energy from solar light is also affected by UAV’s angle. Accordingly, with the objective to maximize the energy efficiency that is related to uplink data rate and energy consumption, we propose to dynamically adjust the UAV trajectory and gesture, by optimizing its velocity, accele…
Aquatic Surface Robots: the State of the Art, Challenges and Possibilities
2020
In this paper, a survey of the state of the art, challenges, and possibilities for aquatic surface robots is presented. To this end, a survey and classification of aquatic surface robots is first outlined. Then, different levels of autonomy are identified for this typology of robots and categorised into environmental complexity, mission complexity, and external system independence. From this perspective, a step-wise approach is adopted on how to increment aquatic surface robots abilities within guidance, navigation, and control in order to target the different levels of autonomy. Possibilities and challenges for designing aquatic surface robots as carriers for conducting research activities…
Anchoring by Imitation Learning in Conceptual Spaces
2005
In order to have a robotic system able to effectively learn by imitation, and not merely reproduce the movements of a human teacher, the system should have the capabilities of deeply understanding the perceived actions to be imitated. This paper deals with the development of a cognitive architecture for learning by imitation in which a rich conceptual representation of the observed actions is built. The purpose of the following discussion is to show how the same conceptual representation can be used both in a bottom-up approach, in order to learn sequences of actions by imitation learning paradigm, and in a top-down approach, in order to anchor the symbolical representations to the perceptu…
Efficacy of four cleaning solutions for the decontamination of selected cytotoxic drugs on the different surfaces of an automated compounding system
2018
The automated aseptic preparation of ready-to-administer antineoplastic drug solutions with robotic systems reduces the risk of occupational exposure. However, the surfaces in the preparation area of the robot are to be cleaned by wiping with an appropriate cleaning solution. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cleaning efficacy of four cleaning solutions on four surface materials installed in the APOTECAchemo robot. Predefined amounts of cisplatin (Cis), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and cyclophosphamide (CP) were intentionally spread on test plates made of stainless steel, aluminium, polyoxymethylene, and polycarbonate just as installed in the robotic system APOTECAchemo. After drying, the …
Activities with Educational Robotics: Research Model and Tools for Evaluation of Progress
2019
The use of robots in the learning process has been popular since S. Papert developed his LOGO Turtle idea and argued that students can construct their own knowledge, test their constructive solutions and be motivated to learn if they use robotics in the learning process. Today, the idea of using elements of robotics in the learning process is no longer new and innovative but there are still elements that can be developed and issues that should be discussed. In this chapter, the authors provide the research model and five research tools (structured observation protocol, evaluation of the possible risks of early school leaving to be filled in by teachers before and after activities, students’…
The Stochastic Intelligence. A Technical Model from Ancient Greece to Robotics
2019
What do we mean when we talk about the “intelligence” of robots? In what sense does a robot “reason” and “take decisions”? Answering these questions can give food for thought towards understanding whether there is either something so specific in human beings that cannot be reproduced in robots, or—as an alternative—the way to improve robots in emulating human behavior. In the following pages I will try to give my contribution by shedding light on some characteristics concerning human reasoning and rationality, mainly referring to the ancient Greek philosophical tradition.
Collision Avoidance Trajectory for an Ekranoplan.
2009
The risk of collision is one of the crucial aspects for the applications of Ekranoplans in civil transportation. In fact, the extremely low flight altitude of these aircraft increases dramatically the chances of interference between their flight path and the multitude of obstacles populating the surrounding area. In this work we consider the optimal collision avoidance problem between a cruising Ekranoplan and a steady obstacle located on its flight path. First we solve the optimal control problem imposing that the collision avoidance maneuver lies on the longitudinal plane identified by the initial cruising conditions. In the second part of this work we state the three-dimensional version …
Temporal Denoising of Kinect Depth Data
2012
The release of the Microsoft Kinect has attracted the attention of researchers in a variety of computer science domains. Even though this device is still relatively new, its recent applications have shown some promising results in terms of replacing current conventional methods like the stereo-camera for robotics navigation, multi-camera system for motion detection and laser scanner for 3D reconstruction. While most work around the Kinect is on how to take full advantage of its capabilities, so far only a few studies have been carried out on the limitations of this device and fewer that provide solutions to enhance the precision of its measurements. In this paper, we review and analyse curr…
Decentralized classification in societies of autonomous and heterogenous robots
2011
This paper addresses the classification problem for a set of autonomous robots that interact with each other. The objective is to classify agents that “behave” in “different way”, due to their own physical dynamics or to the interaction protocol they are obeying to, as belonging to different “species”. This paper describes a technique that allows a decentralized classification system to be built in a systematic way, once the hybrid models describing the behavior of the different species are given. This technique is based on a decentralized identification mechanism, by which every agent classifies its neighbors using only local information. By endowing every agent with such a local classifie…