Search results

1 – 10 of 19
Article
Publication date: 23 January 2024

Wang Zhang, Lizhe Fan, Yanbin Guo, Weihua Liu and Chao Ding

The purpose of this study is to establish a method for accurately extracting torch and seam features. This will improve the quality of narrow gap welding. An adaptive deflection…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to establish a method for accurately extracting torch and seam features. This will improve the quality of narrow gap welding. An adaptive deflection correction system based on passive light vision sensors was designed using the Halcon software from MVtec Germany as a platform.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes an adaptive correction system for welding guns and seams divided into image calibration and feature extraction. In the image calibration method, the field of view distortion because of the position of the camera is resolved using image calibration techniques. In the feature extraction method, clear features of the weld gun and weld seam are accurately extracted after processing using algorithms such as impact filtering, subpixel (XLD), Gaussian Laplacian and sense region for the weld gun and weld seam. The gun and weld seam centers are accurately fitted using least squares. After calculating the deviation values, the error values are monitored, and error correction is achieved by programmable logic controller (PLC) control. Finally, experimental verification and analysis of the tracking errors are carried out.

Findings

The results show that the system achieves great results in dealing with camera aberrations. Weld gun features can be effectively and accurately identified. The difference between a scratch and a weld is effectively distinguished. The system accurately detects the center features of the torch and weld and controls the correction error to within 0.3mm.

Originality/value

An adaptive correction system based on a passive light vision sensor is designed which corrects the field-of-view distortion caused by the camera’s position deviation. Differences in features between scratches and welds are distinguished, and image features are effectively extracted. The final system weld error is controlled to 0.3 mm.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 51 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 February 2024

Xiaoqing Zhang, Genliang Xiong, Peng Yin, Yanfeng Gao and Yan Feng

To ensure the motion attitude and stable contact force of massage robot working on unknown human tissue environment, this study aims to propose a robotic system for autonomous…

Abstract

Purpose

To ensure the motion attitude and stable contact force of massage robot working on unknown human tissue environment, this study aims to propose a robotic system for autonomous massage path planning and stable interaction control.

Design/methodology/approach

First, back region extraction and acupoint recognition based on deep learning is proposed, which provides a basis for determining the working area and path points of the robot. Second, to realize the standard approach and movement trajectory of the expert massage, 3D reconstruction and path planning of the massage area are performed, and normal vectors are calculated to control the normal orientation of robot-end. Finally, to cope with the soft and hard changes of human tissue state and body movement, an adaptive force tracking control strategy is presented to compensate the uncertainty of environmental position and tissue hardness online.

Findings

Improved network model can accomplish the acupoint recognition task with a large accuracy and integrate the point cloud to generate massage trajectories adapted to the shape of the human body. Experimental results show that the adaptive force tracking control can obtain a relatively smooth force, and the error is basically within ± 0.2 N during the online experiment.

Originality/value

This paper incorporates deep learning, 3D reconstruction and impedance control, the robot can understand the shape features of the massage area and adapt its planning massage path to carry out a stable and safe force tracking control during dynamic robot–human contact.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 51 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 January 2024

Khurram Shahzad, Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Abid Iqbal

For the provision of smart library services to end users, tools of the Internet of Things (IoT) play a significant role. The study aims to discover the factors influencing the…

203

Abstract

Purpose

For the provision of smart library services to end users, tools of the Internet of Things (IoT) play a significant role. The study aims to discover the factors influencing the adoption of IoT in university libraries, investigate the impact of IoT on university library services and identify challenges to adopt IoT applications in university libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was carried out to address the objectives of the study. The 40 most relevant research papers published in the world’s leading digital databases were selected to conduct the study.

Findings

The findings illustrated that rapid growth in technology, perceived benefits, the networked world and the changing landscape of librarianship positively influenced the adoption of IoT in university libraries. The study also displayed that IoT supported library professionals to initiate smart library services, assisted in service efficiency, offered context-based library services, provided tracking facilities and delivered effective management of library systems. Results also revealed that a lack of technical infrastructure, security and privacy concerns, a lack of technological skills and unavailability of policy and strategic planning caused barriers to the successful adoption of IoT applications in university libraries.

Originality/value

The study has provided theoretical implications through a valuable addition to the current literature. It has also offered managerial implications for policymakers to construct productive policies for the implementation of IoT applications in university libraries for the attainment of fruitful outcomes. Finally, the study provides a baseline for understanding the adoption of IoT in academic libraries.

Details

The Electronic Library , vol. 42 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 February 2022

Pragati Agarwal, Sanjeev Swami and Sunita Kumari Malhotra

The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and other AI-enabled technologies and to describe how COVID-19 affects various industries such as…

3649

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and other AI-enabled technologies and to describe how COVID-19 affects various industries such as health care, manufacturing, retail, food services, education, media and entertainment, banking and insurance, travel and tourism. Furthermore, the authors discuss the tactics in which information technology is used to implement business strategies to transform businesses and to incentivise the implementation of these technologies in current or future emergency situations.

Design/methodology/approach

The review provides the rapidly growing literature on the use of smart technology during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

The 127 empirical articles the authors have identified suggest that 39 forms of smart technologies have been used, ranging from artificial intelligence to computer vision technology. Eight different industries have been identified that are using these technologies, primarily food services and manufacturing. Further, the authors list 40 generalised types of activities that are involved including providing health services, data analysis and communication. To prevent the spread of illness, robots with artificial intelligence are being used to examine patients and give drugs to them. The online execution of teaching practices and simulators have replaced the classroom mode of teaching due to the epidemic. The AI-based Blue-dot algorithm aids in the detection of early warning indications. The AI model detects a patient in respiratory distress based on face detection, face recognition, facial action unit detection, expression recognition, posture, extremity movement analysis, visitation frequency detection, sound pressure detection and light level detection. The above and various other applications are listed throughout the paper.

Research limitations/implications

Research is largely delimited to the area of COVID-19-related studies. Also, bias of selective assessment may be present. In Indian context, advanced technology is yet to be harnessed to its full extent. Also, educational system is yet to be upgraded to add these technologies potential benefits on wider basis.

Practical implications

First, leveraging of insights across various industry sectors to battle the global threat, and smart technology is one of the key takeaways in this field. Second, an integrated framework is recommended for policy making in this area. Lastly, the authors recommend that an internet-based repository should be developed, keeping all the ideas, databases, best practices, dashboard and real-time statistical data.

Originality/value

As the COVID-19 is a relatively recent phenomenon, such a comprehensive review does not exist in the extant literature to the best of the authors’ knowledge. The review is rapidly emerging literature on smart technology use during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Details

Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4620

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 April 2024

Rafiu King Raji, Jian Lin Han, Zixing Li and Lihua Gong

At the moment, in terms of both research and commercial products, smart shoe technology and applications seem not to attract the same magnitude of attention compared to smart…

Abstract

Purpose

At the moment, in terms of both research and commercial products, smart shoe technology and applications seem not to attract the same magnitude of attention compared to smart garments and other smart wearables such as wrist watches and wrist bands. The purpose of this study is to fill this knowledge gap by discussing issues regarding smart shoe sensing technologies, smart shoe sensor placements, factors that affect sensor placements and finally the areas of smart shoe applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a review of relevant literature, this study first and foremost attempts to explain what constitutes a smart shoe and subsequently discusses the current trends in smart shoe applications. Discussed in this study are relevant sensing technologies, sensor placement and areas of smart shoe applications.

Findings

This study outlined 13 important areas of smart shoe applications. It also uncovered that majority of smart shoe functionality are physical activity tracking, health rehabilitation and ambulation assistance for the blind. Also highlighted in this review are some of the bottlenecks of smart shoe development.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review paper focused on smart shoe applications, and therefore serves as an apt reference for researchers within the field of smart footwear.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 44 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2024

Pingyang Zheng, Shaohua Han, Dingqi Xue, Ling Fu and Bifeng Jiang

Because of the advantages of high deposition efficiency and low manufacturing cost compared with other additive technologies, robotic wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM…

Abstract

Purpose

Because of the advantages of high deposition efficiency and low manufacturing cost compared with other additive technologies, robotic wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) technology has been widely applied for fabricating medium- to large-scale metallic components. The additive manufacturing (AM) method is a relatively complex process, which involves the workpiece modeling, conversion of the model file, slicing, path planning and so on. Then the structure is formed by the accumulated weld bead. However, the poor forming accuracy of WAAM usually leads to severe dimensional deviation between the as-built and the predesigned structures. This paper aims to propose a visual sensing technology and deep learning–assisted WAAM method for fabricating metallic structure, to simplify the complex WAAM process and improve the forming accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

Instead of slicing of the workpiece modeling and generating all the welding torch paths in advance of the fabricating process, this method is carried out by adding the feature point regression branch into the Yolov5 algorithm, to detect the feature point from the images of the as-built structure. The coordinates of the feature points of each deposition layer can be calculated automatically. Then the welding torch trajectory for the next deposition layer is generated based on the position of feature point.

Findings

The mean average precision score of modified YOLOv5 detector is 99.5%. Two types of overhanging structures have been fabricated by the proposed method. The center contour error between the actual and theoretical is 0.56 and 0.27 mm in width direction, and 0.43 and 0.23 mm in height direction, respectively.

Originality/value

The fabrication of circular overhanging structures without using the complicate slicing strategy, turning table or other extra support verified the possibility of the robotic WAAM system with deep learning technology.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 30 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 March 2022

Elavaar Kuzhali S. and Pushpa M.K.

COVID-19 has occurred in more than 150 countries and causes a huge impact on the health of many people. The main purpose of this work is, COVID-19 has occurred in more than 150…

Abstract

Purpose

COVID-19 has occurred in more than 150 countries and causes a huge impact on the health of many people. The main purpose of this work is, COVID-19 has occurred in more than 150 countries and causes a huge impact on the health of many people. The COVID-19 diagnosis is required to detect at the beginning stage and special attention should be given to them. The fastest way to detect the COVID-19 infected patients is detecting through radiology and radiography images. The few early studies describe the particular abnormalities of the infected patients in the chest radiograms. Even though some of the challenges occur in concluding the viral infection traces in X-ray images, the convolutional neural network (CNN) can determine the patterns of data between the normal and infected X-rays that increase the detection rate. Therefore, the researchers are focusing on developing a deep learning-based detection model.

Design/methodology/approach

The main intention of this proposal is to develop the enhanced lung segmentation and classification of diagnosing the COVID-19. The main processes of the proposed model are image pre-processing, lung segmentation and deep classification. Initially, the image enhancement is performed by contrast enhancement and filtering approaches. Once the image is pre-processed, the optimal lung segmentation is done by the adaptive fuzzy-based region growing (AFRG) technique, in which the constant function for fusion is optimized by the modified deer hunting optimization algorithm (M-DHOA). Further, a well-performing deep learning algorithm termed adaptive CNN (A-CNN) is adopted for performing the classification, in which the hidden neurons are tuned by the proposed DHOA to enhance the detection accuracy. The simulation results illustrate that the proposed model has more possibilities to increase the COVID-19 testing methods on the publicly available data sets.

Findings

From the experimental analysis, the accuracy of the proposed M-DHOA–CNN was 5.84%, 5.23%, 6.25% and 8.33% superior to recurrent neural network, neural networks, support vector machine and K-nearest neighbor, respectively. Thus, the segmentation and classification performance of the developed COVID-19 diagnosis by AFRG and A-CNN has outperformed the existing techniques.

Originality/value

This paper adopts the latest optimization algorithm called M-DHOA to improve the performance of lung segmentation and classification in COVID-19 diagnosis using adaptive K-means with region growing fusion and A-CNN. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first work that uses M-DHOA for improved segmentation and classification steps for increasing the convergence rate of diagnosis.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 22 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 2 January 2024

Michelle Hudson, Heather Leary, Max Longhurst, Joshua Stowers, Tracy Poulsen, Clara Smith and Rebecca L. Sansom

The authors are developing a model for rural science teacher professional development, building teacher expertise and collaboration and creating high-quality science lessons…

Abstract

Purpose

The authors are developing a model for rural science teacher professional development, building teacher expertise and collaboration and creating high-quality science lessons: technology-mediated lesson study (TMLS).

Design/methodology/approach

TMLS provided the means for geographically distributed teachers to collaborate, develop, implement and improve lessons. TMLS uses technology to capture lesson implementation and collaborate on lesson iterations.

Findings

This paper describes the seven steps of the TMLS process with examples, showing how teachers develop their content and pedagogical knowledge while building relationships.

Originality/value

The TMLS approach provides an innovative option for teachers to collaborate across distances and form strong, lasting relationships with others.

Details

International Journal for Lesson & Learning Studies, vol. 13 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-8253

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 13 September 2022

Oliver Disney, Mattias Roupé, Mikael Johansson and Alessio Domenico Leto

Building information modeling (BIM) is mostly limited to the design phase where two parallel processes exist, i.e. creating 2D-drawings and BIM. Towards the end of the design…

4295

Abstract

Purpose

Building information modeling (BIM) is mostly limited to the design phase where two parallel processes exist, i.e. creating 2D-drawings and BIM. Towards the end of the design process, BIM becomes obsolete as focus shifts to producing static 2D-drawings, which leads to a lack of trust in BIM. In Scandinavia, a concept known as Total BIM has emerged, which is a novel “all-in” approach where BIM is the single source of information throughout the project. This paper's purpose is to investigate the overall concept and holistic approach of a Total BIM project to support implementation and strategy work connected to BIM.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data were collected through eight semi-structured interviews with digitalization leaders from the case study project. Findings were analyzed using a holistic framework to BIM implementation.

Findings

The Total BIM concept was contingent on the strong interdependences between commonly found isolated BIM uses. Four main success factors were identified, production-oriented BIM as the main contractual and legally binding construction document, cloud-based model management, user-friendly on-site mobile BIM software and strong leadership.

Originality/value

A unique case is studied where BIM is used throughout all project phases as a single source of information and communication platform. No 2D paper drawings were used on-site and the Total BIM case study highlights the importance of a new digitalized construction process.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 2 January 2024

Eylem Thron, Shamal Faily, Huseyin Dogan and Martin Freer

Railways are a well-known example of complex critical infrastructure, incorporating socio-technical systems with humans such as drivers, signallers, maintainers and passengers at…

Abstract

Purpose

Railways are a well-known example of complex critical infrastructure, incorporating socio-technical systems with humans such as drivers, signallers, maintainers and passengers at the core. The technological evolution including interconnectedness and new ways of interaction lead to new security and safety risks that can be realised, both in terms of human error, and malicious and non-malicious behaviour. This study aims to identify the human factors (HF) and cyber-security risks relating to the role of signallers on the railways and explores strategies for the improvement of “Digital Resilience” – for the concept of a resilient railway.

Design/methodology/approach

Overall, 26 interviews were conducted with 21 participants from industry and academia.

Findings

The results showed that due to increased automation, both cyber-related threats and human error can impact signallers’ day-to-day operations – directly or indirectly (e.g. workload and safety-critical communications) – which could disrupt the railway services and potentially lead to safety-related catastrophic consequences. This study identifies cyber-related problems, including external threats; engineers not considering the human element in designs when specifying security controls; lack of security awareness among the rail industry; training gaps; organisational issues; and many unknown “unknowns”.

Originality/value

The authors discuss socio-technical principles through a hexagonal socio-technical framework and training needs analysis to mitigate against cyber-security issues and identify the predictive training needs of the signallers. This is supported by a systematic approach which considers both, safety and security factors, rather than waiting to learn from a cyber-attack retrospectively.

Details

Information & Computer Security, vol. 32 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4961

Keywords

Access

Year

Last month (19)

Content type

Article (19)
1 – 10 of 19