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

2019

How Do Entrepreneurs See Digital Marketing?

Authors
Teixeira, SF; Barbosa, B; Pinto, H;

Publication
Advances in Business Strategy and Competitive Advantage - Entrepreneurial Orientation and Opportunities for Global Economic Growth

Abstract
The growth of the internet is giving rise to the overall importance of digital marketing for business management. In fact, digital marketing is widely accepted as an essential component of business management, and its share of the marketing budget is getting bigger. Still, digital marketing professionals deal with some resistance, especially from small and medium companies from more traditional sectors and from businesses struggling with limited budgets for marketing and communication. Entrepreneurs and startup managers are expected to have a clear acknowledgement of digital marketing tools' benefits, which is confirmed in this study. However, budget constraints limit their willingness to spend money on digital marketing and to hire specialized personnel. This chapter provides valuable cues for digital marketing practitioners and companies that intend to approach startups.

2019

Kitchen robots: The importance and impact of technology on people’s quality of life

Authors
Fonseca, E; Oliveira, I; Lobo, J; Mota, T; Martins, J; Au Yong Oliveira, M;

Publication
Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing

Abstract
The interest in technology allied to household chores has been growing exponentially. Robots like Bimby have revolutionized the way of cooking, since they perform several functions, which were once done manually. How do users of kitchen robots see this continuous evolution and what is the impact on their routines? What are the main advantages associated with this technology and how do non-users see them? This study is a focus on the variables gender, quality of life and technological evolution, as a way to determine if women and men use kitchen robots on an equal scale, if the potentialities of these machines contribute to real improvements in the lives of their users and if, in a near future, this technology will replace the human element in the preparation of meals. To answer these questions, two methodological approaches were followed: quantitative (via questionnaires) and qualitative (via interviews and a focus group). The first approach allowed us to conclude on the profile of kitchen robots and their impact on people’s quality of life. The second approach led us to understand the interest of suppliers, and whether the interest is to help human beings or to replace their role altogether in the kitchen. With this study we conclude that kitchen robots have effectively brought improvements in terms of time spent with household tasks, the typical user of this technology is indeed a woman and, finally, that it will be difficult for a robot to replace humans entirely, since anyone who really likes to cook will never stop doing it. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019.

2019

Collaborative Welding System using BIM for Robotic Reprogramming and Spatial Augmented Reality

Authors
Tavares, P; Costa, CM; Rocha, L; Malaca, P; Costa, P; Moreira, AP; Sousa, A; Veiga, G;

Publication
AUTOMATION IN CONSTRUCTION

Abstract
The optimization of the information flow from the initial design and through the several production stages plays a critical role in ensuring product quality while also reducing the manufacturing costs. As such, in this article we present a cooperative welding cell for structural steel fabrication that is capable of leveraging the Building Information Modeling (BIM) standards to automatically orchestrate the necessary tasks to be allocated to a human operator and a welding robot moving on a linear track. We propose a spatial augmented reality system that projects alignment information into the environment for helping the operator tack weld the beam attachments that will be later on seam welded by the industrial robot. This way we ensure maximum flexibility during the beam assembly stage while also improving the overall productivity and product quality since the operator no longer needs to rely on error prone measurement procedures and he receives his tasks through an immersive interface, relieving him from the burden of analyzing complex manufacturing design specifications. Moreover, no expert robotics knowledge is required to operate our welding cell because all the necessary information is extracted from the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), namely the CAD models and welding sections, allowing our 3D beam perception systems to correct placement errors or beam bending, which coupled with our motion planning and welding pose optimization system ensures that the robot performs its tasks without collisions and as efficiently as possible while maximizing the welding quality.

2019

Photon Bubbles in a Self-gravitating Dust Gas: Collective Dust Interactions

Authors
Mendonca, JT; Guerreiro, A; Ali, S;

Publication
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL

Abstract
We consider broadband radiation interacting with a gas of self-gravitating dust grains. We show that photon-bubble formation can occur, due to a modified Jeans instability, which will imply the formation of two different kinds of dust density perturbations. This could be useful for understanding the B-mode signal observed in the CMB polarization survey, and other astrophysical processes, such as the formation of protoplanets and voids in dust clouds.

2019

The CURE for Class Imbalance

Authors
Bellinger, C; Branco, P; Torgo, L;

Publication
Discovery Science - 22nd International Conference, DS 2019, Split, Croatia, October 28-30, 2019, Proceedings

Abstract

2019

An IIoT-based architecture for decision support in the aeronautic industry

Authors
Vita, R; Caldas, N; Basto, J; Alcalá, S; Diniz, F;

Publication
MATEC Web of Conferences

Abstract
The Industry 4.0 movement is driving innovation in manufacturing through the application of digital technologies, leading to solid performance improvements. In this context, this paper introduces a real-time analytical framework based on predictive, simulation and optimization technologies applied to decision support in manufacturing systems, enabled by an underlying reference implementation of an open Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform. This architecture integrates critical equipment, manufacturing and corporate systems through a Unified IIoT Cloud Platform. A real case study on the aeronautic industry demonstrates the proposal feasibility of this architecture to enhance productivity, predict equipment failures and bring agility to react to unexpected events. In this case study, the monitoring tool displays the current status of the critical resources and the predictive tool calculates a probability of failure. When this probability reaches a certain threshold, the simulation tool is triggered to evaluate the impact of the disruption in the system’s productivity. Results from the tools are displayed online through an alert system so that each stakeholder is informed timely and in a contextualized way.

  • 1311
  • 4141