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Publications

Publications by HumanISE

2025

Automated optical system for quality inspection on reflective parts

Authors
Nascimento, R; Rocha, CD; Gonzalez, DG; Silva, T; Moreira, R; Silva, MF; Filipe, V; Rocha, LF;

Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Abstract
The growing demand for high-quality components in various industries, particularly in the automotive sector, requires advanced and reliable inspection methods to maintain competitive standards and support innovation. Manual quality inspection tasks are often inefficient and prone to errors due to their repetitive nature and subjectivity, which can lead to attention lapses and operator fatigue. The inspection of reflective aluminum parts presents additional challenges, as uncontrolled reflections and glare can obscure defects and reduce the reliability of conventional vision-based methods. Addressing these challenges requires optimized illumination strategies and robust image processing techniques to enhance defect visibility. This work presents the development of an automated optical inspection system for reflective parts, focusing on components made of high-pressure diecast aluminum used in the automotive industry. The reflective nature of these parts introduces challenges for defect detection, requiring optimized illumination and imaging methods. The system applies deep learning algorithms and uses dome light to achieve uniform illumination, enabling the detection of small defects on reflective surfaces. A collaborative robotic manipulator equipped with a gripper handles the parts during inspection, ensuring precise positioning and repeatability, which improves both the efficiency and effectiveness of the inspection process. A flow execution-based software platform integrates all system components, enabling seamless operation. The system was evaluated with Schmidt Light Metal Group using three custom datasets to detect surface porosities and inner wall defects post-machining. For surface porosity detection, YOLOv8-Mosaic, trained with cropped images to reduce background noise, achieved a recall value of 84.71% and was selected for implementation. Additionally, an endoscopic camera was used in a preliminary study to detect defects within the inner walls of holes. The industrial trials produced promising results, demonstrating the feasibility of implementing a vision-based automated inspection system in various industries. The system improves inspection accuracy and efficiency while reducing material waste and operator fatigue.

2025

Application of a Genetic Algorithm for Optimising the Location of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Authors
Pinto, J; Mejia, MA; Macedo, LH; Filipe, V; Pinto, T;

Publication
PROGRESS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, EPIA 2024, PT III

Abstract
The number of electric vehicles has been increasing significantly due to various factors, such as the higher prices of fossil fuels, concerns about the increasing pollution, and the resulting incentive to use energy from renewable sources. There are currently a few charging facilities, which are still quite scattered, and several are still experimental, requiring appropriate planning of this infrastructure in order to support the growing number of electric vehicles adequately. Thus, optimising the location of charging stations becomes a critical issue, which can be achieved through the application of mathematical models and data analysis tools. An example is genetic algorithms, which have demonstrated their versatility in solving complex optimisation problems, especially those involving multiple variables. This work presents a proposal for a more comprehensive genetic algorithm model that encompasses all variables from the perspectives of all entities involved. Its experimentation was conducted using real data, with the aim of finding the best combination of locations, minimising the total number of stations and maximising the coverage of the area under study. Thus, it is essential to carefully consider user preferences, accessibility, energy demand, and existing electrical infrastructure to ensure an effective and sustainable installation. The findings highlight the crucial role of these computing tools in addressing complex problems from various viewpoints, leading to solutions that cater to the needs of all parties involved. While not necessarily perfect, these solutions represent a balanced compromise across multiple dimensions of the problem.

2025

Trustworthy AI in Design: Introducing Explainable Agent Systems

Authors
Ribeiro, E; Pinto, T; Reis, A; Barroso, J;

Publication
IJCCI (1)

Abstract
As industrial product development becomes increasingly complex and knowledge-intensive, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents into design workflows offers great potential to improve efficiency and decision making. However, the opacity of current AI reasoning processes remains a major obstacle for adoption in engineering domains. This position paper explores the need for Explainable AI (XAI) within agentic design systems, proposing a conceptual architecture where agents, powered by Large Language Models (LLMs), not only perform domain-specific tasks, but also generate human-readable justifications for their decisions. Unlike black-box systems, these agents are designed to promote transparency, trust, and traceability, all of which are critical in high-stakes industrial contexts. Building upon the foundation of the Agentic Approach to Product Design, we outline how roles such as requirement analysis, material selection, and specification interpretation can be reimagined with explainability at their core. This work advocates for a shift towards interpretable, auditable AI assistants, capable of supporting collaborative engineering processes. An illustrative scenario is used to exemplify the practical value and challenges of agents supported by XAI. Future research directions are highlighted, including evaluation metrics for explainability and potential integrations into existing agent orchestration platforms such as CrewAI. As a conceptual position paper, this work aims to stimulate the development of explainable multi-agent design systems and guide future empirical validation in industrial contexts.

2025

Introduction

Authors
Hadjileontiadis L.; Al Safar H.; Barroso J.; Paredes H.;

Publication
ACM International Conference Proceeding Series

Abstract

2025

Enhancing explainability in AI-based energy forecasting through clustering and data selection

Authors
Teixeira, B; Valina, L; Pinto, T; Reis, A; Barroso, J; Vale, Z;

Publication
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY GRIDS & NETWORKS

Abstract
Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) seeks to enhance the interpretability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, ensuring that algorithmic decisions and their underlying data are comprehensible to non-technical stakeholders. While advanced Machine Learning (ML) models, such as deep neural networks, have significantly improved AI capabilities, their complexity poses challenges for XAI, particularly in handling large datasets required for training and interpretation. In particular, the application of Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP), although widely recognized for its effectiveness, often incurs a high computational cost when applied to large-scale data. Addressing this issue, our previous work proposed a novel approach that leverages K-Means clustering to identify representative data instances, applied after the forecasting phase to refine SHAP-based explanations and reduce computational costs while preserving their fidelity. This extended study further optimizes the clustering strategy and evaluates its applicability across broader use cases in sustainable energy systems. We apply our method to forecast photovoltaic (PV) generation in buildings, a critical aspect of energy management in e-mobility and smart grids. The results show that clustering reduces execution time by more than 50 % compared to random sampling while maintaining comparable explanatory stability. These findings highlight the potential of data-driven clustering techniques in enhancing the explainability of ML models in energy forecasting, contributing to more accessible and practical AI solutions for real-world applications.

2025

Toward a Gamified Learning Environment: Exploring the Evolution of Educational Games Through SCORE

Authors
Oliveira, P; Pinto, T; Reis, A; Rocha, T; Barroso, J;

Publication
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION IN LEARNING, TEACHING AND EDUCATION, TECH-EDU 2024, PT II

Abstract
This paper explores the potential of the educational gamification platform known as SCORE as a novel solution to address challenges related to student disengagement and the increasing preference for gaming. Faced with observed disinterest among first-year Computer Engineering students, particularly intensified during the Covid-19 era, the study advocates for integrating the educational gamification platform to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment. SCORE is presented as an innovative alternative to conventional teaching methods, fostering deeper understanding and motivation among students. Positioned to catalyze holistic student development, encompassing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, SCORE emerges as a leading player in the evolving landscape of educational gamification. The document provides a comprehensive overview of the motivating factors for this investigation, laying the groundwork for a detailed analysis of SCORE and the role of educational games in effective teaching methods. Anticipated outcomes encompass enriched pedagogical practices and a solid foundation for future research endeavors. Positioned as one among many alternatives, SCORE contributes to the ongoing discourse on innovative teaching methods, offering valuable insights for educators and researchers exploring ways to enhance the learning experience. With the evolution of technology, SCORE, alongside other educational games, aims to take a significant step forward in academic terms, enabling students to achieve the best possible results while remaining motivated in their academic journey.

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