Cookies Policy
The website need some cookies and similar means to function. If you permit us, we will use those means to collect data on your visits for aggregated statistics to improve our service. Find out More
Accept Reject
  • Menu
About

About

José Lima received the M.Sc. and PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering on Faculty of Engineering of University of Porto, Portugal in 2001 and 2009. He joined the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança in 2002, and currently he is a Coordinator Professor and head of the Electrical Engineering Department of that school. He is also a vice coordinator of the Research Centre in Digitalization and Intelligent Robotics, and Member of the coordination council of the Centre for Robotics in Industry and Intelligent Systems group of the INESC TEC (Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering of Porto, Portugal). He has published more than 150 papers in international scientific journals and conference proceedings. In addition, he participated and juried some autonomous mobile robotics competitions and developed industrial applications. Moreover, his research interests are in the field of mobile robotics, simulation and IoT. He participated as researcher or PI in some national, FP7 and H2020 funded projects. He supervised more than 60 Master degree students and is actually supervising 8 PhD.

Interest
Topics
Details

Details

  • Name

    José Lima
  • Role

    External Research Collaborator
  • Since

    01st June 2009
010
Publications

2024

A Performance Comparison between Different Industrial Real-Time Indoor Localization Systems for Mobile Platforms

Authors
Rebelo, PM; Lima, J; Soares, SP; Oliveira, PM; Sobreira, H; Costa, P;

Publication
SENSORS

Abstract
The flexibility and versatility associated with autonomous mobile robots (AMR) have facilitated their integration into different types of industries and tasks. However, as the main objective of their implementation on the factory floor is to optimize processes and, consequently, the time associated with them, it is necessary to take into account the environment and congestion to which they are subjected. Localization, on the shop floor and in real time, is an important requirement to optimize the AMRs' trajectory management, thus avoiding livelocks and deadlocks during their movements in partnership with manual forklift operators and logistic trains. Threeof the most commonly used localization techniques in indoor environments (time of flight, angle of arrival, and time difference of arrival), as well as two of the most commonly used indoor localization methods in the industry (ultra-wideband, and ultrasound), are presented and compared in this paper. Furthermore, it identifies and compares three industrial indoor localization solutions: Qorvo, Eliko Kio, and Marvelmind, implemented in an industrial mobile platform, which is the main contribution of this paper. These solutions can be applied to both AMRs and other mobile platforms, such as forklifts and logistic trains. In terms of results, the Marvelmind system, which uses an ultrasound method, was the best solution.

2024

Heterogeneous Multi-Robot Collaboration for Coverage Path Planning in Partially Known Dynamic Environments

Authors
de Castro, GGR; Santos, TMB; Andrade, FAA; Lima, J; Haddad, DB; Honorio, LD; Pinto, MF;

Publication
MACHINES

Abstract
This research presents a cooperation strategy for a heterogeneous group of robots that comprises two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and one Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) to perform tasks in dynamic scenarios. This paper defines specific roles for the UAVs and UGV within the framework to address challenges like partially known terrains and dynamic obstacles. The UAVs are focused on aerial inspections and mapping, while UGV conducts ground-level inspections. In addition, the UAVs can return and land at the UGV base, in case of a low battery level, to perform hot swapping so as not to interrupt the inspection process. This research mainly emphasizes developing a robust Coverage Path Planning (CPP) algorithm that dynamically adapts paths to avoid collisions and ensure efficient coverage. The Wavefront algorithm was selected for the two-dimensional offline CPP. All robots must follow a predefined path generated by the offline CPP. The study also integrates advanced technologies like Neural Networks (NN) and Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) for adaptive path planning for both robots to enable real-time responses to dynamic obstacles. Extensive simulations using a Robot Operating System (ROS) and Gazebo platforms were conducted to validate the approach considering specific real-world situations, that is, an electrical substation, in order to demonstrate its functionality in addressing challenges in dynamic environments and advancing the field of autonomous robots.

2023

Modelling of a Vibration Robot Using Localization Ground Truth Assisted by ArUCo Markers

Authors
Matos, D; Lima, J; Rohrich, R; Oliveira, A; Valente, A; Costa, P; Costa, P;

Publication
ROBOTICS IN NATURAL SETTINGS, CLAWAR 2022

Abstract
Simulators have been increasingly used on development and tests on several areas. They allow to speed up the development without damage and no extra costs. On realistic simulators, where kinematics play an important role, the modelling process should be imported for each component to be accurately simulated. Some robots are not yet modelled, as for example the Monera. This paper presents a model of a small vibration robot (Monera) that is acquired in a developed test-bed. A localisation ground truth is used to acquire the position of the Monera with actuating it. Linear and angular speeds acquired from real experiments allow to validate the proposed methodology.

2023

Hybrid Legged-Wheeled Robotic Platforms: Survey on Existing Solutions

Authors
Moreira, J; Soares, IN; Lima, J; Pinto, VH; Costa, P;

Publication
ROBOTICS IN NATURAL SETTINGS, CLAWAR 2022

Abstract
This survey analyses and compares ten different robots capable of hybrid locomotion in an attempt to elucidate the readers on several aspects of importance when designing and implementing a legged-wheeled vehicle. With this purpose in mind, the robots are compared based on their goals, kinematic configurations, joint specifications and overall performance. In this text, their variety and versatility is presented, justifying their use in real-world scenarios.

2023

Multi-robot Coordination for a Heterogeneous Fleet of Robots

Authors
Pereira, D; Matos, D; Rebelo, P; Ribeiro, F; Costa, P; Lima, J;

Publication
ROBOT2022: FIFTH IBERIAN ROBOTICS CONFERENCE: ADVANCES IN ROBOTICS, VOL 2

Abstract
There is an increasing need for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in industrial environments. The capability of autonomous movement and transportation of items in industrial environments provides a significant increase in productivity and efficiency. This need, coupled with the possibility of controlling groups of heterogeneous robots, simultaneously addresses a wide range of tasks with different characteristics in the same environment, further increasing productivity and efficiency. This paper will present an implementation of a system capable of coordinating a fleet of heterogeneous robots with robustness. The implemented system must be able to plan a safe and efficient path for these different robots. To achieve this task, the TEA* (Time Enhanced A*) graph search algorithm will be used to coordinate the paths of the robots, along with a graph decomposition module that will be used to improve the efficiency and safety of this system. The project was implemented using the ROS framework and the Stage simulator. Results validate the proposed approach since the system was able to coordinate a fleet of robots in various different tests efficiently and safely, given the heterogeneity of the robots.

Supervised
thesis

2021

Realistic multisensory virtual reality simulator for firefighter training: comparing the physiological response of trainees in real and virtual environments

Author
David Gonçalves Narciso

Institution
UTAD

2021

A Holistic Framework for Increasing Agility in a Production Process

Author
Leonor Gamelas Neves Lopes de Magalhães

Institution
UP-FEUP

2021

Multicriteria evaluation as a tool for decision support in the design of sustainable routes

Author
Joana Sofia Campos Santos

Institution
UP-FEUP

2016

Optical characterization of atmospheric turbulence

Author
Paulo Alexandre Paiva de Andrade

Institution
UP-FEUP

2016

balancing and scheduling mixed-model lines in the footwear industry

Author
Parisa Sadeghi

Institution
UP-FEUP