2023
Authors
Martins, JJ; Silva, M; Santos, F;
Publication
ROBOT2022: FIFTH IBERIAN ROBOTICS CONFERENCE: ADVANCES IN ROBOTICS, VOL 1
Abstract
To produce more food and tackle the labor scarcity, agriculture needs safer robots for repetitive and unsafe tasks (such as spraying). The interaction between humans and robots presents some challenges to ensure a certifiable safe collaboration between human-robot, a reliable system that does not damage goods and plants, in a context where the environment is mostly dynamic, due to the constant environment changes. A well-known solution to this problem is the implementation of real-time collision avoidance systems. This paper presents a global overview about state of the art methods implemented in the agricultural environment that ensure human-robot collaboration according to recognised industry standards. To complement are addressed the gaps and possible specifications that need to be clarified in future standards, taking into consideration the human-machine safety requirements for agricultural autonomous mobile robots.
2023
Authors
Queirós, R; Ferreira, L; Fontes, H; Campos, R;
Publication
SimuTools
Abstract
The increasing complexity of recent Wi-Fi amendments is making the use of traditional algorithms and heuristics unfeasible to address the Rate Adaptation (RA) problem. This is due to the large combination of configuration parameters along with the high variability of the wireless channel. Recently, several works have proposed the usage of Reinforcement Learning (RL) techniques to address the problem. However, the proposed solutions lack sufficient technical explanation. Also, the lack of standard frameworks enabling the reproducibility of results and the limited availability of source code, makes the fair comparison with state of the art approaches a challenge. This paper proposes a framework, named RateRL, that integrates state of the art libraries with the well-known Network Simulator 3 (ns-3) to enable the implementation and evaluation of RL-based RA algorithms. To the best of our knowledge, RateRL is the first tool available to assist researchers during the implementation, validation and evaluation phases of RL-based RA algorithms and enable the fair comparison between competing algorithms.
2023
Authors
Williams H.; Pedrosa J.; Asad M.; Cattani L.; Vercauteren T.; Deprest J.; D'Hooge J.;
Publication
IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, IUS
Abstract
Deep learning-based automatic segmentation methods have become state-of-the-art. However, they are often not robust enough for direct clinical application, as domain shifts between training and testing data affect their performance. Failure in automatic segmentation can cause sub-optimal results that require correction. To address these problems, we propose a novel 3D extension of an interactive segmentation framework that represents a segmentation from a convolutional neural network (CNN) as a B-spline explicit active surface (BEAS). BEAS ensures segmentations are smooth in 3D space, increasing anatomical plausibility, while allowing the user to precisely edit the 3D surface. We apply this framework to the task of 3D segmentation of the anal sphincter complex (AS) from transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) images, and compare it to the clinical tool used in the pelvic floor disorder clinic (4D View VOCAL, GE Healthcare; Zipf, Austria). Experimental results show that: 1) the proposed framework gives the user explicit control of the surface contour; 2) the perceived workload calculated via the NASA-TLX index was reduced by 30% compared to VOCAL; and 3) it required 70% (170 seconds) less user time than VOCAL (p< 0.00001).
2023
Authors
Pires, A; Dias, A; Silva, P; Ferreira, A; Rodrigues, P; Santos, T; Oliveira, A; Freitas, L; Martins, A; Almeida, J; Silva, E; Chaminé, HI;
Publication
Arabian Journal of Geosciences
Abstract
2023
Authors
Pinto P.; Sousa C.; Cardeiro C.;
Publication
Procedia Computer Science
Abstract
This paper discusses the problem of information sharing and data interoperability in a B2B context. Therefore, this paper presents a case study on the scope of data-sharing in collaborative networks in an industrial cluster. It explores the feasibility of International Data Spaces in the context of the footwear industry cluster. This work also discusses how the adoption of digital processes might contribute to support data-based management to optimize the production planning of a footwear industry. As a result, it is defined and specified the foundations for the development and implementation of an dataspace oriented IIoT architecture, following a fully compliant Industry 4.0 solution for the footwear industry cluster. This paper discusses the problem of information sharing and data interoperability in a B2B context. Therefore, this paper presents a case study on the scope of data-sharing in collaborative networks in an industrial cluster. It explores the feasibility of International Data Spaces in the context of the footwear industry cluster. This work also discusses how the adoption of digital processes might contribute to support data-based management to optimize the production planning of a footwear industry. As a result, it is defined and specified the foundations for the development and implementation of an dataspace oriented IIoT architecture, following a fully compliant Industry 4.0 solution for the footwear industry cluster.
2023
Authors
Vilarinho, H; D'Inverno, G; Novoa, H; Camanho, AS;
Publication
UTILITIES POLICY
Abstract
This research evaluates the performance of water supply utilities operating at the retail level in Portugal concerning asset management practices. The study's main innovative feature is identifying peers and targets to guide improvements in the sector. Reliable data collected by the regulatory authority for water and waste services in Portugal (ERSAR) are employed to design two composite indicators reflecting different dimensions of asset management: operational conditions and management systems. Based on the Data Envelopment Analysis technique, the Benefit-of-the-Doubt model is employed in robust and conditional formulations. The role of the context on utilities' performance is also investigated. The results show that the direct management model is unfavourable concerning developing structured management systems, whilst urban environments favour managerial advancement. Rural and semi-urban environments favour goodoperational results in infrastructures. The pool of peers obtained for each utility and the quantification of targets based on the observed achievements by those peers facilitates the search for industry best practices and promotes continuous improvement. Given the high heterogeneity in asset management performance within the sector, the utility-specific target-setting approach illustrated in this paper can support a regulatory policy review for determining more realistic goals.
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