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Publications

Publications by CRIIS

2025

Integrating SolidWorks, LabVIEW, and Arduino in Robotics Education

Authors
Coelho J.P.; Coelho J.A.B.; Gonçalves J.;

Publication
Lecture Notes in Educational Technology

Abstract
This paper explores the integration of SolidWorks, LabVIEW, and Arduino as a comprehensive and cost-effective approach to teaching robotics to undergraduate students. In scenarios where real hardware is unavailable or prohibitively expensive, this methodology offers significant advantages. SolidWorks enables students to design and simulate robotic components in a virtual environment, fostering a deep understanding of mechanical design and engineering principles. LabVIEW provides an intuitive graphical interface for programming and control, allowing students to develop and test their algorithms. Finally, Arduino, as an open-source hardware platform, bridges the gap between virtual simulations and physical implementation, offering a hands-on experience with minimal financial investment. Together, these tools create a robust educational framework that enhances theoretical knowledge through practical application, encourages innovation, and prepares students for real-world engineering challenges. The paper concludes that this integrated approach not only mitigates the limitations of resource constraints but also enriches the learning experience by providing a versatile and accessible platform for robotics education.

2025

Virtual Reality-Based Teleoperation System for Robot Forklifts

Authors
Couto, MB; Petry, MR; Mendes, A; Silva, MF;

Publication
2025 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AUTONOMOUS ROBOT SYSTEMS AND COMPETITIONS, ICARSC

Abstract
The growing reliance on e-commerce and the demand for efficient intralogistics operations have increased the need for automation, while labour shortages continue to pose significant challenges. When combined with the inherent risks of forklift operation, this circumstance prompted businesses to look for robotic solutions for intralogistics tasks. However, robots are still limited when they come across situations that are outside of their programming scope and often need assistance from humans. To achieve the long-term goal of enhancing intralogistics operation, we propose the development of a virtual reality-based teleoperation system that allows remote operation of robot forklifts with minimal latency. Considering the specificities of the teleoperation process and network dynamics, we conduct detailed modelling to analyse latency factors, optimise system performance, and ensure a seamless user experience. Experimental results on a mobile robot have shown that the proposed teleoperation system achieves an average glass-to-glass latency of 368 ms, with capturing latency contributing to approximately 60% of the total delay. The results also indicate that network oscillations significantly impact image quality and user experience, emphasising the importance of a stable network infrastructure.

2025

Methodology and Challenges of Implementing Advanced Technological Solutions in Small and Medium Shipyards: The Case Study of the Mari4_YARD Project

Authors
Grazi, L; Alonso, AF; Gasiorek, A; Llopis, AMP; Grajeda, A; Kanakis, A; Vidal, AR; Parri, A; Vidal, F; Ergas, I; Zeljkovic, I; Durá, JP; Mein, JP; Katsampiris-Salgado, K; Rocha, LF; Rodriguez, LN; Petry, MR; Neufeld, M; Dimitropoulos, N; Köster, N; Mimica, R; Fernandes, SV; Crea, S; Makris, S; Giartzas, S; Settler, V; Masood, J;

Publication
ELECTRONICS

Abstract
Small to medium-sized shipyards play a crucial role in the European naval industry. However, the globalization of technology has increased competition, posing significant challenges to shipyards, particularly in domestic markets for short sea, work, and inland vessels. Many shipyard operations still rely on manual, labor-intensive tasks performed by highly skilled operators. In response, the adoption of new tools is essential to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. This paper presents a methodology for developing a human-centric portfolio of advanced technologies tailored for shipyard environments, covering processes such as shipbuilding, retrofitting, outfitting, and maintenance. The proposed technological solutions, which have achieved high technology readiness levels, include 3D modeling and digitalization, robotics, augmented and virtual reality, and occupational exoskeletons. Key findings from real-scale demonstrations are discussed, along with major development and implementation challenges. Finally, best practices and recommendations are provided to support both technology developers seeking fully tested tools and end users aiming for seamless adoption.

2025

Towards an Artificial Intelligence System for Automated Accessory Removal in Textile Recycling: Detecting Textile Fasteners

Authors
Lopes D.; Silva M.F.; Rocha L.F.; Filipe V.;

Publication
IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation ETFA

Abstract
The textile industry faces economic and environmental challenges due to low recycling rates and contamination from fasteners like buttons, rivets, and zippers. This paper proposes an Red, Green, Blue (RGB) vision system using You Only Look Once version 11 (YOLOv11) with a sliding window technique for automated fastener detection. The system addresses small object detection, occlusion, and fabric variability, incorporating Grounding DINO for garment localization and U2-Net for segmentation. Experiments show the sliding window method outperforms full-image detection for buttons and rivets (precision 0.874, recall 0.923), while zipper detection is less effective due to dataset limitations. This work advances scalable AI-driven solutions for textile recycling, supporting circular economy goals. Future work will target hidden fasteners, dataset expansion and fastener removal.

2025

Quality Inspection on Transparent and Reflective Parts: A Systematic Review

Authors
Nascimento, R; Gonzalez, DG; Pires, EJS; Filipe, V; Silva, MF; Rocha, LF;

Publication
IEEE ACCESS

Abstract
The increasing demand for automated quality inspection in modern industry, particularly for transparent and reflective parts, has driven significant interest in vision-based technologies. These components pose unique challenges due to their optical properties, which often hinder conventional inspection techniques. This systematic review analyzes 24 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025, aiming to assess the current state of the art in computer vision-based inspection systems tailored to such materials. The review synthesizes recent advancements in imaging setups, illumination strategies, and deep learning-based defect detection methods. It also identifies key limitations in current approaches, particularly regarding robustness under variable industrial conditions and the lack of standardized benchmarks. By highlighting technological trends and research gaps, this work offers valuable insights and directions for future research-emphasizing the need for adaptive, scalable, and industry-ready solutions to enhance the reliability and effectiveness of inspection systems for transparent and reflective parts.

2025

Robot Path Planning: from Analytical to Computer Intelligence Approaches

Authors
Dias, PA; de Souza, JPC; Pires, EJS; Filipe, V; Figueiredo, D; Rocha, LF; Silva, MF;

Publication
JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT & ROBOTIC SYSTEMS

Abstract
In an era where robots are becoming an integral part of human quotidian activities, understanding how they function is crucial. Among the inherent building complexities, from electronics to mechanics, path planning emerges as a universal aspect of robotics. The primary contribution of this work is to provide an overview of the current state of robot path planning topics and a comparison between those same algorithms and its inherent characteristics. The path planning concept relies on the process by which an algorithm determines a collision-free path between a start and an end point, optimizing parameters such as energy consumption and distance. The quest for the most effective path planning method has been a long-standing discussion, as the choice of method is highly dependent on the specific application. This review consolidates and elucidates the categories of path planning methods, specifically classical or analytical methods, and computer intelligence methods. In addition, the operational principles of these categories will be explored, discussing their respective advantages and disadvantages, and reinforcing these discussions with relevant studies in the field. This work will focus on the most prevalent and recognized methods within the robotics path planning problem, being mobile robotics or manipulator arms, including Cell Decomposition, A*, Probabilistic Roadmaps, Rapidly-exploring Random Trees, Genetic Algorithms, Particle Swarm Optimization, Ant Colony Optimization, Artificial Potential Fields, Fuzzy, and Neural Networks. Following the detailed explanation of these methods, a comparative analysis of their advantages and drawbacks is organized in a comprehensive table. This comparison will be based on various quality metrics, such as the type of trajectory provided (global or local), the scenario implementation type (real or simulated scenarios), testing environments (static or dynamic), hybrid implementation possibilities, real-time implementation, completeness of the method, consideration of the robot's kinodynamic constraints, use of smoothing techniques, and whether the implementation is online or offline.

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