Easily deployable multisensory collaborative tele-robotic system to inspect pipes located in radioactive environments
The prototype has been designed and built by the Interactive and Robotic Systems Lab within the EU H2020 project "El-Peacetolero"
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The Interactive and Robotic Systems Lab (IRS) group at the Universitat Jaume I of Castelló has developed a mobile, lightweight, modular and reconfigurable manipulator robot, which includes a remote control station with 3D perception, modular and multi-device 3D simulation software that implements a digital twin for operator training, with the aim of operating in hazardous scenarios for human health, initially in the inspection of plastic pipes by probing and artificial vision.
view moreCredit: Universitat Jaume I de Castellón
The Interactive and Robotic Systems Lab (IRS) group at the Universitat Jaume I of Castelló has developed a mobile, lightweight, modular and reconfigurable manipulator robot, which includes a remote control station with 3D perception, modular and multi-device 3D simulation software that implements a digital twin for operator training, with the aim of operating in hazardous scenarios for human health, initially in the inspection of plastic pipes by probing and artificial vision.
The new technology, which has been validated on an experimental scale at the UJI's Centre for Research in Robotics and Underwater Technologies (CIRTESU), is applicable to the inspection of pipes and plastic materials in the surroundings of particle accelerators and nuclear power plants, and can be adapted to support teaching or healthcare staff in other types of challenging environments, such as infectious ones.
Software enhancements include a Robot Operating System (ROS)-based server and multiple clients that can be expanded to meet specific mission requirements. Hardware enhancements include wireless communications, various vision devices, localisation techniques, mobility, low weight and power consumption, an open nature that allows modularity and adaptability, and low production costs.
The new technology, which is the result of the European project "EU H2020 El-Peacetolero" (Embedded Electronic Solutions for Polymer Innovative Scanning Methods using Light-Emitting Devices for Diagnostic Routines), in which the UJI participates along with eight other European universities and research centres, will be adapted to specific applications through specific agreements and subsequent licensing agreements with companies.
The Universitat Jaume I, through the Cooperation and Technological Development Office and the Vice-Rector's Office for Scientific Transfer, Innovation and Dissemination, facilitates the scientific and technological transfer of its research staff, with the aim of advancing its vocation to transmit and disseminate scientific, technical, social and humanistic knowledge.
Method of Research
Computational simulation/modeling
Toddlers show increased physical activity with a robot playmate moving around the room
Oregon State University
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GoBot and child in play room.
view moreCredit: OSU College of Engineering
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Parents seeking help in encouraging toddlers to be physically active may soon need to look no further than an inexpensive robotic buddy for their kids, a new study by Oregon State University suggests.
The findings are important because movement plays a key role in the overall health of children, both in youth and later on in adulthood, the authors note.
Researchers observed individual sessions for eight kids ages 2-3 once a week for two months in a playroom that included various toys as well as a toddler-sized GoBot: a custom, wheeled, foam-padded robot designed through a collaboration between the OSU colleges of Engineering and Health.
Weekly sessions with each of the five boys and three girls were broken into three segments.
During one of them, the GoBot was in the room but not active, though the child was free to push and pull the robot around if he or she wanted to.
In another, the GoBot’s movements – basically keep-away maneuvers – were directed by an operator using a PlayStation DualShock4 controller, and in the third segment type, the motion was autonomous. In either scenario, the GoBot rewarded the child for getting close to it by emitting sounds, lights or bubbles.
The results showed that kids’ activity levels, measured by multiple sensors and cameras, were higher in the presence of an active robot.
“It was interesting to us that the simple autonomous routine worked as well as directly teleoperated control when it came to engaging children,” said the College of Engineering’s Naomi Fitter, who led the study. “That means a relatively low-cost robot playmate – one that offers more intelligence and independence compared to current phone-operated robotic toys – might be feasible in the near future.”
For young children, the authors say, physical activity contributes to cognitive, social and motor development and also sets the stage for better psychosocial and cardiometabolic health later on, serving as a foundation for the potential of a lifetime of healthy habits.
“High rates of sedentary behavior are a big current challenge across many phases of life, and better physical activity at any part can lead to better health outcomes,” Fitter said.
The researchers also note that past studies indicate a significant number of children are below recommended physical activity guidelines, which contributes to high levels of childhood obesity and other negative health consequences.
“Toys that motivate crawling and assist with walking are widespread,” Fitter said, “but there’s a scarcity of toys designed to motivate young children to be active and explore their environments once they are ambulatory.”
Assistive robots like GoBot, she added, may be more effective than other tools for physical activity promotion because people tend to see robots as more “peer-like and influential” than non-embodied technologies like phones or computers.
“An important point is that we're not aiming to replace caregivers, but for parents, there can be periods of development during which it is hard to know how best to engage with your toddler,” Fitter said. “The work in our paper could lead to new robotic toys that families could play with together to help fill those gaps.”
Collaborating with Fitter were Rafael Morales Mayoral and Ameer Helmi of the College of Engineering and Samuel W. Logan of the College of Health.
Findings were published in the Journal of Translational Engineering in Health & Medicine.
Journal
IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
People
Article Title
GoBot Go! Using a Custom Assistive Robot to Promote Physical Activity in Children
Strawberry-picking robot to speed up harvest and tackle labour shortage
University of Essex
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Dr Vishwanathan Mohan with the strawberry-picking robot
view moreCredit: UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
Low-cost robots which can harvest and package strawberries in a matter of seconds have been trialled in Essex as part of ambitious plans to tackle a labour shortage in the industry.
The University of Essex has been working with world-famous jam makers, Wilkin & Sons, to test the new prototype, which costs a fraction of the price of existing technology.
Funded by a £1.02million grant fvia the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ flagship Farming Innovation Programme, the project has seen the low-cost robot tasked with picking strawberries from one of Wilkins and Sons’ vertical farms in Tiptree.
The robot, which can pick a strawberry in just 2.5 seconds, is based on a previous prototype which has been successfully trialled for the last two seasons.
The modular architecture can be easily adapted to other crops – with robotic harvesting trials planned later on in the project with onions, tomatoes and lettuce.
Dr Vishwanathan Mohan and Professor Klaus McDonald-Maier, both from Essex’s School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, have helped design and build the robot.
Dr Mohan said: “Through this project we want to transform how food is grown efficiently using robotics and AI, and make state-of-the-art agri-robotics technologies accessible to everyone.
“Even if smaller farms and businesses can afford a robot, you need a whole fleet of them to make a difference, so it is vital we find cost-effective alternatives to help the agricultural industry.
“At the same time robotics is a game changer to tackle some of the critical challenges facing us – food security, labour security, climate and energy.”
The prototype is able to pick the strawberries using a robotic arm, before weighing each one and placing it in packaging.
It is hoped the project will not only reduce the repetitive, labour-intensive process of crop picking, but will also extend the shelf-life of produce by speeding up the packaging process.
Existing crop-picking robots cost on average around £150,000 but if successful, the new prototype will cost a fraction of the price at around £10,000.
Chris Newenham, Joint Managing Director of Wilkin & Sons, said: “Wilkin & Sons are once again delighted to partner with the University of Essex in tackling what is currently the most significant challenge for our industry.
“Our experience from our initial work with the institution is that these challenges are inordinately complex and take time, it is work which is definitely not for the faint hearted but we are confident that we are working with the very best partners and very much looking forward to seeing the fruits of our collective labours over the coming years.”
The Government’s flagship Farming Innovation Programme aims to support ambitious projects to transform productivity and enhance environmental sustainability in England’s agricultural and horticultural sectors, whilst driving the sectors towards net zero.
Dr Vishwanathan Mohan trialling the robot on the farm in Tiptree, Essex.
Credit
University of Essex
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