Abstract

Abstract
This paper reports on the creation of an interface for 3D virtual environments, computer-aided design applications or computer games. Standard computer interfaces are bound to 2D surfaces, e.g., computer mouses, keyboards, touch pads or touch screens. The Smart Object is intended to provide the user with a 3D interface by using sensors that register movement (inertial measurement unit), touch (touch screen) and voice (microphone). The design and development process as well as the tests and results are presented in this paper. The Smart Object was developed by a team of four third-year engineering students from diverse scientific backgrounds and nationalities during one semester. © 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland.

Abstract
Recently the RoboCup@Work league emerged in the world's largest robotics competition, intended for competitors wishing to compete in the field of mobile robotics for manipulation tasks in industrial environments. This competition consists of several tasks with one reflected in this work (Basic Navigation Test). This project involves the simulation in Virtual Robot Experimentation Platform (V-REP) of the behavior of a KUKA youBot. The goal is to verify that the robots can navigate in their environment, in a standalone mode, in a robust and secure way. To achieve the proposed objectives, it was necessary to create a program in Lua and test it in simulation. This involved the study of robot kinematics and mechanics, Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM) and perception from sensors. In this work is introduced an algorithm developed for a KUKA youBot platform to perform the SLAM while reaching for the goal position, which works according to the requirements of this competition BNT. This algorithm also minimizes the errors in the built map and in the path travelled by the robot.

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 project ¹ 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.