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Publications

Publications by José Alexandre Gonçalves

2024

Assessing the Reliability of AI-Based Angle Detection for Shoulder and Elbow Rehabilitation

Authors
Klein, LC; Chellal, AA; Grilo, V; Gonçalves, J; Pacheco, MF; Fernandes, FP; Monteiro, FC; Lima, J;

Publication
OPTIMIZATION, LEARNING ALGORITHMS AND APPLICATIONS, PT II, OL2A 2023

Abstract
Angle assessment is crucial in rehabilitation and significantly influences physiotherapists' decision-making. Although visual inspection is commonly used, it is known to be approximate. This work aims to be a preliminary study about using the AI image-based to assess upper limb joint angles. Two main frameworks were evaluated: MediaPipe and Yolo v7. The study was performed with 28 participants performing four upper limb movements. The results showed that Yolo v7 achieved greater estimation accuracy than Mediapipe, with MAEs of around 5 degrees and 17 degrees, respectively. However, even with better results, Yolo v7 showed some limitations, including the point of detection in only a 2D plane, the higher computational power required to enable detection, and the difficulty of performing movements requiring more than one degree of Freedom (DOF). Nevertheless, this study highlights the detection capabilities of AI approaches, showing be a promising approach for measuring angles in rehabilitation activities, representing a cost-effective and easy-to-implement solution.

2024

Angle Assessment for Upper Limb Rehabilitation: A Novel Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-Based Approach

Authors
Klein, LC; Chellal, AA; Grilo, V; Braun, J; Gonçalves, J; Pacheco, MF; Fernandes, FP; Monteiro, FC; Lima, J;

Publication
SENSORS

Abstract
The accurate measurement of joint angles during patient rehabilitation is crucial for informed decision making by physiotherapists. Presently, visual inspection stands as one of the prevalent methods for angle assessment. Although it could appear the most straightforward way to assess the angles, it presents a problem related to the high susceptibility to error in the angle estimation. In light of this, this study investigates the possibility of using a new approach to angle calculation: a hybrid approach leveraging both a camera and LiDAR technology, merging image data with point cloud information. This method employs AI-driven techniques to identify the individual and their joints, utilizing the cloud-point data for angle computation. The tests, considering different exercises with different perspectives and distances, showed a slight improvement compared to using YOLO v7 for angle calculation. However, the improvement comes with higher system costs when compared with other image-based approaches due to the necessity of equipment such as LiDAR and a loss of fluidity during the exercise performance. Therefore, the cost-benefit of the proposed approach could be questionable. Nonetheless, the results hint at a promising field for further exploration and the potential viability of using the proposed methodology.

2023

Automated Ceramics Tableware Finishing: Non-Circular Geometries Case Study

Authors
Alvarez, M; Brancalião, L; Carneiro, J; Costa, P; Coelho, JP; Gonçalves, J;

Publication
28th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation, ETFA 2023, Sinaia, Romania, September 12-15, 2023

Abstract
This paper is devoted to present the most recent results regarding the ongoing work carried out in the scope of the STC 4.0 HP project, which aims to automate the finishing process of ceramic tableware at the GRESTEL S.A. industry, focusing on non-circular shaped plates. A collaborative robot is in charge of handling the tableware and making it go around its entire perimeter through a sponge, to perform the finishing. An array, with the distances from the center to the different points of the plate, is applied as data to trace the path that the robot must follow. The final goal of this prototype is to obtain an even finish while maintaining a constant force along the entire perimeter of the ceramic tableware. After carrying out a series of tests, it was possible to conclude that the current approach was able to manipulate 3D-printed tableware made for testing and travel its perimeter to carry out the finishing.

2023

Modelling with NGSI-LD: the VALLPASS project case study

Authors
Ribeiro, T; Coelho, JP; Jorge, L; Sardao, J; Gonçalves, J; Rosse, H;

Publication
2023 IEEE 21ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDUSTRIAL INFORMATICS, INDIN

Abstract
The smart cities paradigm covers multiple domains which span from citizens' accessibility and mobility to general infrastructures and services. Hence, smart cities can be seen as an excellent showcase of heterogeneity, namely at the data level. For this reason, they are a perfect candidate for linked data and semantic web concept applications. This powerful combination leads to interoperability at the data level which is one of the ultimate goals of the Internet of Things (IoT). In this reference frame, NGSI-LD is an open framework for context information processing consisting of both a semantic information model and a RESTful Application Programming Interface (API). This paper proposes a methodology for creating semantic data models in the context of IoT, namely to represent and describe data associated with digital twins. The methodology is presented in a practical way, through the process of creating an NGSI-LD semantic data model for the VALLPASS project, inserted in the traffic domain, which is one of the most popular in smart cities.

2012

Inverse kinematics of a 10 DOF modular hyper-redundant robot resorting to exhaustive and error-optimization methods: A comparative study

Authors
Espinoza, MS; Goncalves, J; Leitao, P; Sanchez, JLG; Herreros, A;

Publication
Proceedings - 2012 Brazilian Robotics Symposium and Latin American Robotics Symposium, SBR-LARS 2012

Abstract
This paper describes and compares several approaches applied to compute the inverse kinematics of a 10 degrees of freedom hyper-redundant robot. The proposed approaches are based on an exhaustive method and several error optimization algorithms. The algorithms' performance was evaluated based on two criteria: computing time and final actuator positioning error. The mentioned hyper-redundant robot was projected to be used in biomedical applications. © 2012 IEEE.

2012

Optimization Methods for Hyper-redundant Robots' Inverse Kinematics in Biomedical Applications

Authors
Espinoza, MS; Pereira, AI; Goncalves, J;

Publication
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS (ICNAAM 2012), VOLS A AND B

Abstract
The present work describes and compares several approaches applied to compute the inverse kinematics of a ten degrees of freedom hyper-redundant robot. The proposed approaches are based on an exhaustive method and several error-optimization algorithms. The algorithms' performance was evaluated based on two criteria: computational processing time and final actuator positioning error. The results obtained show that for a small number of modules (less or equal to four), the exhaustive method provides the best problem solution: acceptable computational processing time as well as minimum error. However, for larger number of modules, the error-optimization approach has far better performance regarding the error to processing time ratio. The mentioned hyper-redundant robot was projected to be used in biomedical applications.

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