Abstract
This article aims to apply the concepts associated with artificial neural networks (ANN) in the control of an autonomous robot system that is intended to be used in competitions of robots. The robot was tested in several arbitrary paths in order to verify its effectiveness. The results show that the robot performed the tasks with success. Moreover, in the case of arbitrary paths the ANN control outperforms other methodologies, such as fuzzy logic control (FLC).

Abstract
During the last years research and development on legged robots has grown steadily. Leggedsystems present major advantages when compared with “traditional” vehicles, allowinglocomotion in terrain inaccessible to vehicles with wheels and tracks. However, its energy consumption still lag being these vehicles, existing several aspects that need to be improvedand optimized.One of them regards the parameters values that these machines should adopt to minimize the energy consumption. Due to the large number of parameters involved in this optimization process one way to achieve meaningful results is using evolutionary strategies. Genetic Algorithms are away to “imitate nature”replicating the process that nature designed forthe generation and evolutionof species. The objective of this paper is to present a genetic algorithm, running over a simulationapplication oflegged robots, which allows the optimization of several parameters of a quadrupedrobot model, for distinct locomotion gaits. © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014.

Abstract
The European funded ECHORD project1 European Clearing House for Open Robotics Development began in January 2009 with the ambitious goal of bringing together European robotics manufacturers with the excellent European research institutions. Europe has a very strong robot industry and there is significant research potential as well as technological knowledge. There has been a long history of outstanding research and development in both robot manufacturers and research institutes. However, finding common ground between manufacturers and the research community, especially when it comes to defining the future direction of robotics research, has proven difficult in the past. This is one of the recurring themes on both sides, and a new level of cooperation is long overdue. Thus, ECHORD acted as a clearing house to streamline successful know-how transfers. The research leading to the results presented in this book has received funding from the European Union through the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) under grant agreement number FP7-ICT-231143. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.

Abstract
The aim of the present work was to evaluate the possibility of using zinc-air batteries in intraoral medical devices. We analyzed the electrical behavior of zinc-air batteries when submitted to different levels of temperature, humidity, and limited quantities of air. The experimental setup was divided in three different parts. Firstly, a set of batteries were tested within a climatic chamber and subjected to discharging tests similar to those recommended by the manufacturer. The climatic chamber allowed an accurate variation of humidity and temperature. Secondly, the batteries were placed in a small prototype of intraoral medical device and tested in the absence of air. Lastly, we used a robot arm to repeatedly immerse the prototype in artificial saliva. The results obtained demonstrated the viability of zinc-air batteries as a power solution for intraoral medical devices, as they tolerate high levels of humidity and are capable of working with limited quantities of air. In addition, this kind of battery presents a volume to electrical capacity ratio more than three times higher than lithium batteries, which may open important improvement for powered medical devices.

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