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
Publications

2020

“I See Myself, Therefore I Purchase”: Factors Influencing Consumer Attitudes Towards m-Commerce AR Apps

Authors
Teles Roxo, M; Quelhas Brito, P;

Publication
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality - Progress in IS

Abstract

2020

Path Planning for ground robots in agriculture: a short review

Authors
Santos, LC; Santos, FN; Solteiro Pires, EJS; Valente, A; Costa, P; Magalhaes, S;

Publication
2020 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AUTONOMOUS ROBOT SYSTEMS AND COMPETITIONS (ICARSC 2020)

Abstract
The world's population is estimated to reach nine billion people by the year 2050, which indicates that agricultural productivity must increase sustainably. The mechanisation and automatisation of agricultural tasks is an essential step to face population growth. Ground robots have been developed along the last decade for several agricultural applications, being, the autonomous and safe navigation one of the hardest challenge in this development. Moving autonomously, a mobile platform involves different tasks, such as localisation, mapping, motion control, and path planning, a crucial step for autonomous operations. This article performs a survey of different applications for path planning techniques applied to various agricultural contexts. This paper analyses different agricultural applications and details about the employed path planning method. The conclusion indicates that path planning has been successfully applied to agrarian robots for field coverage and point-to-point navigation, being that coverage path planning is slightly more advanced in this field.

2020

Optimal Day-Ahead Self-Scheduling and Operation of Prosumer Microgrids Using Hybrid Machine Learning-Based Weather and Load Forecasting

Authors
Faraji, J; Ketabi, A; Hashemi Dezaki, H; Shafie Khah, M; Catalao, JPS;

Publication
IEEE ACCESS

Abstract
Prosumer microgrids (PMGs) are considered as active users in smart grids. These units are able to generate and sell electricity to aggregators or neighbor consumers in the prosumer market. Although the optimal scheduling and operation of PMGs have received a great deal of attention in recent studies, the challenges of PMG's uncertainties such as stochastic behavior of load data and weather conditions (solar irradiance, ambient temperature, and wind speed) and corresponding solutions have not been thoroughly investigated. In this paper, a new energy management systems (EMS) based on weather and load forecasting is proposed for PMG's optimal scheduling and operation. Developing a novel hybrid machine learning-based method using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), multilayer perceptron (MLP) artificial neural network (ANN), and radial basis function (RBF) ANN to precisely predict the load and weather data is one of the most important contributions of this article. The performance of the forecasting process is improved by using a hybrid machine learning-based forecasting method instead of conventional ones. The demand response (DR) program based on the forecasted data and considering the degradation cost of the battery storage system (BSS) are other contributions. The comparison of obtained test results with those of other existing approaches illustrates that more appropriate PMG's operation cost is achievable by applying the proposed DR-based EMS using a new hybrid machine learning forecasting method.

2020

Supporting the Analysis of Safety Critical User Interfaces: An Exploration of Three Formal Tools

Authors
Campos, JC; Fayollas, C; Harrison, MD; Martinie, C; Masci, P; Palanque, P;

Publication
ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTER-HUMAN INTERACTION

Abstract
Use error due to user interface design defects is a major concern in many safety critical domains, for example avionics and health care. Early detection of latent user interface problems can be facilitated by user-centered design methods that integrate formal verification technologies. This article considers the role that formal verification technologies can play in the context of user-centered design by considering the following three existing tools: CIRCUS, PVSio-web, and IVY. These tools have been developed to support the model based analysis of critical user interfaces. They have their foundations in existing formal verification technologies, but each of them is focused towards particular issues relating to user interface design. The article explores the different phases of the user-centered design process and the extent to which each of these tools supports these phases. Criteria are developed for assessing their role at each stage of the design process. The results of the evaluation provide guidance to developers to help choose the most appropriate tool based on their analysis needs while at the same time setting challenges for future developments.

2020

Fostering STEAM through challenge-based learning, robotics, and physical devices: A systematic mapping literature review

Authors
Conde, MA; Rodriguez Sedano, FJ; Fernandez Llamas, C; Goncalves, J; Lima, J; Garcia Penalvo, FJ;

Publication
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION

Abstract
Nowadays, companies are demanding better-prepared professionals to succeed in a digital society, and the acquisition of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM)-related competencies is a key issue. One of the main problems in this sense is how to integrate STEAM into the current educational curricula. This is not something related to a subject or educational trend but rather to new methodological approaches that can engage students. In this sense, such active methodologies that apply mechatronics and robotics could be an interesting path to pursue. Given this context, the first necessary task in evaluating the potential of this approach is to understand the landscape of the application of robotics and mechatronics in STEAM Education and how active methodologies are applied in this sense. To carry out this analysis in a systematic and replicable manner, it is necessary to follow a methodology. In this case, the researchers employ a systematic mapping review. This paper presents this process and its main findings. Fifty-four studies have been selected out of 242 total studies analyzed. From these, beyond obtaining a clear vision of the STEAM landscape regarding project topics, we can also conclude that robotics and physical devices have been applied successfully with collaborative methodologies in STEAM Education. Regarding conclusions, this paper shows that robotics and mechatronics applied with active methodologies is to be a good means to engage students in STEAM disciplines and thus aid the acquisition of what is commonly known as "21st-century skills."

2020

Success Factors in Students' Motivation with Project Based Learning

Authors
Reis, SS; Coelho, FG; Coelho, LP;

Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONLINE AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

Abstract
One of the teacher's first goals should be to inspire students to learn. Using project-based learning (PBL) to involve students in the learning process could be a useful and powerful tool to prepare the students for their professional future. As part of a degree course in Biomedical Engineering, students were asked to look at society and identify a possible biomedical-related failure or daily-life problem. From this, the students were challenged to work towards a solution, by preparing a project and creating a prototype or a minimum viable product. In this article we present the case study of a students' team, whose project was candidate and winner of a national prize. This prize was related to health innovation. Despite the particularization of this case study case, the students considered the experience innovative, motivating, and challenging. They also underlined the added value of a project whose impact goes beyond the classroom. Therefore, this method of teaching and learning, based on projects, may have a special effect on the students and, therefore on the civil society. The PBL can help higher education institutions to have a more prominent social presence, as innovation drivers and as forces of intervention.

  • 1207
  • 4212