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Publications

2017

A mobile robot based sensing approach for assessing spatial inconsistencies of a logistic system

Authors
Arrais, R; Oliveira, M; Toscano, C; Veiga, G;

Publication
JOURNAL OF MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS

Abstract
This paper demonstrates the potential benefits of the integration of robot based sensing and Enterprise Information Systems extended with information about the geometric location and volumetric information of the parts contained in logistic supermarkets. The comparison of this extended world model with hierarchical spatial representations produced by a fleet of robots traversing the logistic supermarket corridors enables the continuous assessment of inconsistencies between reality, i.e., the spatial representations collected from online 3D data, and the modelled information, i.e., the world model. Results show that it is possible to detect inconsistencies reliably and in real time. The proposed approach contributes to the development of more robust and effective Enterprise Information Systems.

2017

Mining the Usage Patterns of ROS Primitives

Authors
Santos, A; Cunha, A; Macedo, N; Arrais, R; dos Santos, FN;

Publication
2017 IEEE/RSJ INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INTELLIGENT ROBOTS AND SYSTEMS (IROS)

Abstract
The Robot Operating System (ROS) is nowadays one of the most popular frameworks for developing robotic applications. To ensure the (much needed) dependability and safety of such applications we forecast an increasing demand for ROS-specific coding standards, static analyzers, and tools alike. Unfortunately, the development of such standards and tools can be hampered by ROS modularity and configurability, namely the substantial number of primitives (and respective variants) that must, in principle, be considered. To quantify the severity of this problem, we have mined a large number of existing ROS packages to understand how its primitives are used in practice, and to determine which combinations of primitives are most popular. This paper presents and discusses the results of this study, and hopefully provides some guidance for future standardization efforts and tool developers.

2017

Monolithic Add-Drop Multiplexers in Fused Silica Fabricated by Femtosecond Laser Direct Writing

Authors
Amorim, VA; Maia, JM; Alexandre, D; Marques, PVS;

Publication
JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY

Abstract
The fabrication of optical add-drop multiplexers in fused silica is demonstrated, for the first time to our knowledge, using the femtosecond laser direct writing technique. To achieve this, a Mach-Zehnder interferometer configuration was used for the signal routing by the implementation of 3-dB directional couplers, along with Bragg grating waveguides for wavelength selectivity. The fabrication of all individual devices required was optimized. The behavior of the fabricated add-drop multiplexer was characterized at around 1550 nm, where a 3-dB bandwidth of 0.19 +/- 0.01 nm was obtained along with an intrachannel and adjacent interchannel crosstalk of -30 and -20 dB at Delta lambda = +/- 0.75 nm, respectively. This study shows that such complex devices can be manufactured by femtosecond laser direct writing, with future improvements being discussed.

2017

A Novel Incentive-based Retail Demand Response Program for Collaborative Participation of Small Customers

Authors
Zehir, MA; Wevers, MH; Batman, A; Bagriyanik, M; Hurink, JL; Kucuk, U; Soares, FJ; Ozdemir, A;

Publication
2017 IEEE MANCHESTER POWERTECH

Abstract
Integration of aggregated demand response into the wholesale electricity market is an emerging field of research. Contrary to conventional service providers, most of the demand side participants act voluntarily. However, due to wholesale market regulations, reliable and effective participation of huge numbers of customers is a vital task for aggregators. The existing retail programs aim to motivate customers to take part in events in return for static or individual performance-based incentives. These programs do not focus on engaging customers to act in a collaborative way and therefore have limited effectiveness. This study proposes a novel retail demand response program in which the incentives are dependent on the aggregated performance of participants. Considering the existing wholesale and retail market structures together with demand response aggregator responsibilities, an adaptable program is developed for more effective performance and indirect collaboration of customers. The contribution of the program is compared with a number of different DR programs adopting concepts from game theory.

2017

Dynamic Monitoring of Key-Performance Indicators in Industrial Environments

Authors
Pereira, A; Petrali, P; Pagani, A; Barbosa, J; Leitao, P;

Publication
2017 IEEE 15TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDUSTRIAL INFORMATICS (INDIN)

Abstract
Manufacturing companies generate huge amounts of relevant data that, potentially, can help the decision makers to monitor and supervise the health status of the shop-floor. Many problems are present that prevent this monitoring, namely the identification of which data should be collected, how to execute this collection or how this data should be analysed and displayed to the user. This paper deals with the last issue, where a dynamic and responsive User Interface is developed enabling the decision maker, having an in-the-mesh intervention, to constantly monitor relevant Key-Performance Indicators (KPI). The paper describes the development of such tool, considering a web based approach under a platform agnostic perspective. The user interface presents an dynamic view over the aggregated KPI, where data is annotated with relevant warning information.

2017

Design of Geographic Information Systems to Promote Accessibility and Universal Access

Authors
Fernandes, H; Teixeira, R; Daniel, B; Alves, C; Reis, A; Paredes, H; Filipe, V; Barroso, J;

Publication
UNIVERSAL ACCESS IN HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION: HUMAN AND TECHNOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTS, PT III

Abstract
Digital systems and solutions providing location based services for everyday activities are supported by geographic information systems that are typically problem-oriented. Although recently some approaches try to combine data from multiple sources to provide a better user experience, most often than not, these extra sources of input are not meaningful and act merely as an extension or augmentation of the user’s physical context, providing extra data that not always adds extra value to the service. In this work, a geographic information system that provides valuable data for multiple audiences, with different restrictions and requirements, is presented. This work also presents the concept of ‘awareness’, implemented using a hierarchical layering system. Using lists of information layers, together with an appropriate categorization of user requirements, the proposed information system can feed different final applications with different data, for different types of users, promoting accessibility and universal access. © Springer International Publishing AG 2017.

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