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Publications

Publications by Paulo Miranda Rebelo

2024

Comparison of Pallet Detection and Location Using COTS Sensors and AI Based Applications

Authors
Caldana, D; Carvalho, R; Rebelo, PM; Silva, MF; Costa, P; Sobreira, H; Cruz, N;

Publication
ROBOT 2023: SIXTH IBERIAN ROBOTICS CONFERENCE ADVANCES IN ROBOTICS, VOL 1

Abstract
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) are seeing an increased introduction in distinct areas of daily life. Recently, their use has expanded to intralogistics, where forklift type AMR are applied in many situations handling pallets and loading/unloading them into trucks. One of the these vehicles requirements, is that they are able to correctly identify the location and status of pallets, so that the forklifts AMR can insert the forks in the right place. Recently, some commercial sensors have appeared in the market for this purpose. Given these considerations, this paper presents a comparison of the performance of two different approaches for pallet detection: using a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) sensor and a custom developed application based on Artificial Intelligence algorithms applied to an RGB-D camera, where both the RGB and depth data are used to estimate the position of the pallet pockets.

2024

The CrossLog System Concept and Architecture

Authors
Silva, MF; Rebelo, PM; Sobreira, H; Ribeiro, F;

Publication
FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION AND INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING: ESTABLISHING BRIDGES FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS, FAIM 2023, VOL 2

Abstract
Logistics chains are being increasingly developed due to several factors, among which the exponential growth of e-commerce. Crossdocking is a logistics strategy used by several companies from varied economic sectors, applied in warehouses and distribution centres. In this context, it is the objective of the CrossLog - Automatic Mixed-Palletizing for Crossdocking Logistics Centers Project, to investigate and study an automated and collaborative crossdocking system, capable of moving and managing the flow of products within the warehouse in the fastest and safest way. In its scope, this paper describes the concept and architecture envisioned for the crossdocking system developed in the scope of the CrossLog Project. One of its main distinguishing characteristics is the use of Autonomous Mobile Robots for performing much of the operations traditionally performed by human operators in today's logistics centres.

2023

Multi-robot Coordination for a Heterogeneous Fleet of Robots

Authors
Pereira, D; Matos, D; Rebelo, P; Ribeiro, F; Costa, P; Lima, J;

Publication
ROBOT2022: FIFTH IBERIAN ROBOTICS CONFERENCE: ADVANCES IN ROBOTICS, VOL 2

Abstract
There is an increasing need for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in industrial environments. The capability of autonomous movement and transportation of items in industrial environments provides a significant increase in productivity and efficiency. This need, coupled with the possibility of controlling groups of heterogeneous robots, simultaneously addresses a wide range of tasks with different characteristics in the same environment, further increasing productivity and efficiency. This paper will present an implementation of a system capable of coordinating a fleet of heterogeneous robots with robustness. The implemented system must be able to plan a safe and efficient path for these different robots. To achieve this task, the TEA* (Time Enhanced A*) graph search algorithm will be used to coordinate the paths of the robots, along with a graph decomposition module that will be used to improve the efficiency and safety of this system. The project was implemented using the ROS framework and the Stage simulator. Results validate the proposed approach since the system was able to coordinate a fleet of robots in various different tests efficiently and safely, given the heterogeneity of the robots.

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