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Publications

Publications by António Manuel Amaral

2022

Image Recognition-Based Architecture to Enhance Inclusive Mobility of Visually Impaired People in Smart and Urban Environments

Authors
Paiva, S; Amaral, A; Goncalves, J; Lima, R; Barreto, L;

Publication
SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract
The demographic growth that we have witnessed in recent years, which is expected to increase in the years to come, raises emerging challenges worldwide regarding urban mobility, both in transport and pedestrian movement. The sustainable development of cities is also intrinsically linked to urban planning and mobility strategies. The tasks of navigation and orientation in cities are something that we resort to today with great frequency, especially in unknown cities and places. Current navigation solutions refer to the precision aspect as a big challenge, especially between buildings in city centers. In this paper, we focus on the segment of visually impaired people and how they can obtain information about where they are when, for some reason, they have lost their orientation. Of course, the challenges are different and much more challenging in this situation and with this population segment. GPS, a technique widely used for navigation in outdoor environments, does not have the precision we need or the most beneficial type of content because the information that a visually impaired person needs when lost is not the name of the street or the coordinates but a reference point. Therefore, this paper includes the proposal of a conceptual architecture for outdoor positioning of visually impaired people using the Landmark Positioning approach.

2022

Industry 4.0: Individual Perceptions About Its Nine Technologies

Authors
Diniz, F; Duarte, N; Amaral, A; Pereira, C;

Publication
Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organisation

Abstract
Industry 4.0 is a trendy concept that everyone is talking about. However there are several concepts and technologies attached to Industry 4.0. The concept is considered as the most recent industrial revolution and takes us to the domains of automation, digitalization and information, among others. The concept is trendy, but sometimes firms and employees are not able to follow new trends. This paper summarizes a research on the concepts of industry 4.0 and the 9 technologies commonly associated to Industry 4.0 umbrella. Most of the literature recognizes it as something that can bring several benefits to firms. However, it is also pointed out, that the adoption of these technologies relies in several factors. In this paper the focus is the human factors. A group of 260 persons participated in a questionnaire where were asked about their perceptions on industry 4.0 and its technologies. The main objective was to find different responses to Industry 4.0 technologies, according to age, education level, gender or field of studies. In general, all the individuals present a similar approach. Main differences were found on Big Data, Augmented Reality and Simulation technologies. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

2022

THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING SUSTAINABLE HABITATS TOWARDS ENSURING A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO A SUSTAINABLE CITY - RIO DE JANEIRO CASE STUDY

Authors
Jorio, M; Amaral, A; Neto, T;

Publication
TECHNOLOGIES, MARKETS AND POLICIES: BRINGING TOGETHER ECONOMICS AND ENGINEERING

Abstract
The urban development model practiced in the past has proved to be unsustainable. Due to this fact, cities such as Rio de Janeiro, with high population density, mainly regarding precarious settlements, need immediate practical actions to become more sustainable. The insufficiency of planning and investments contributed to the city occupying the 8th position of the most vulnerable cities in the world, triggering the primary motivation of the research study. Therefore, the leading research focused on exploring how sustainable habitats could contribute to Rio de Janeiro becoming more sustainable. A document analysis was carried out, and semi-structured interviews were designed, making it possible to identify projects to create sustainable habitats for Rio de Janeiro that can serve as benchmarks and listen to the engineers and architects regarding the importance of the sustainable building. Thus, consonant to structural changes in thinking, producing, consuming, and living, it was also possible to identify the main contributions of sustainable habitats to the city, classifying them within the pillars of sustainability.

2022

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BUILDING'S SUSTAINABLE ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS: AN OVERVIEW

Authors
Jorio, M; Amaral, A; Neto, T;

Publication
TECHNOLOGIES, MARKETS AND POLICIES: BRINGING TOGETHER ECONOMICS AND ENGINEERING

Abstract
The current world context emphasizes the need and urgency of the sustainable cities theme. The construction industry is considered an essential role in satisfying the needs of society and contributing to the economy. However, it is heavily criticized for being a significant contributor to environmental degradation. Moreover, the building sector accounts for considerable energy and water consumption, waste formation, and extensive greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, sustainable urban development becomes increasingly challenging due to the building sector's high potential for reducing its environmental impacts. Therefore, the research methodology used within this article was the literature review and document analysis to present to the construction industry stakeholders the contribution of the Building's Sustainable Assessment Systems towards the Sustainable Development Goals and essential information that arouses interest in applying them. It was concluded that the Building's Sustainable Assessment Systems contribute to creating sustainable cities, contributing to some of the Sustainable Development Goals.

2022

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN MANUFACTURING SMEs: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS USING VOSviewer

Authors
Machado, F; Duarte, N; Amaral, A; Araujo, M;

Publication
12TH INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT 2022

Abstract
The present paper aims to identify the main trends and gaps in the digitalization of manufacturing SMEs. The most significant literature on this emergent theme was gathered through a criterion search, resulting in discovering 4060 related documents. To narrow this considerable number of documents, a bibliometric analysis was performed. A database was exported from Clarivates' Web of Science for clusters analysis in VOSviewer's software. Afterward, it was possible to identify the top authors and documents. Four trends were identified: one Asian, headed by China; another Anglo-Saxon, led by the USA; and two European trends, run by Italy and Germany. Furthermore, were identified two research gaps: (1) The development of pro-environmental technology and (2) digital readiness models for manufacturing SMEs.

2023

A Review of Use Cases of Gamification in Mobility Systems and Services

Authors
Barreto, L; Amaral, A; Pereira, T; Paiva, S;

Publication
SMART ENERGY FOR SMART TRANSPORT, CSUM2022

Abstract
Nowadays, Mobility, in all its dimensions (transport mobility, sustainable mobility, active mobility, and Mobility as a Service (MaaS)), is an essential dimension in sustainable development goals, allowing to increase in the quality of life, the health, the social inclusion and to reduce climate action in any society. To increase the citizens' awareness and promote a true behavioral change, the citizens need to feel part of the process. Gamification has proved to be effective in raising citizens' awareness, encouraging their participation, and promoting a gradual but profound behavior change in various areas such as participatory governance, tourism, culture, education, etc. Gamification can also propel a Smart Living Society 5.0 among the younger groups of the society, especially in the context of academic communities that are more knowledgeable and eager to foster a healthier, more sustainable, and more inclusive society. Smart Living Society 5.0 is an activity in the scope of the TECH - Tecnologia, Ambiente, Criatividade e Saude - a project of NORTE 2020, focusing on creating an Academic MaaS (AMaaS). At this stage, it is essential to know about gamification use cases related to new mobility solutions and practices. The paper presents successful cases of mobility systems and services that consider gamification to promote and incentivize their use concerning active mobility and sustainable mobility; it discusses the potential of gamified systems to achieve a gamification proposal approach to implement in the AMaaS under development.

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