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Article
Publication date: 2 May 2008

Sunghwan Ahn, Nakju Lett Doh, Wan Kyun Chung and Sang Yep Nam

The purpose of this paper is to describe research to enable a robust navigation of guide robots in erratic environments with partial sensor information.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe research to enable a robust navigation of guide robots in erratic environments with partial sensor information.

Design/methodology/approach

Two techniques were developed. One is a robust node discrimination method by using an adaptive sensor matching method. The other is a robot navigation technique with partial sensor information.

Findings

A successful navigation was implemented in erratic environments using partial sensor information.

Originality/value

First robot navigation is addressed along the generalized Voronoi graph (GVG) with partial sensor information. A solution is also provided for a phantom node detection problem, which is one of the main defects in GVG navigation.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 August 2008

Kyungmin Lee, Nakju Lett Doh, Wan Kyun Chung, Seoung Kyou Lee and Sang‐Yep Nam

The paper's purpose is to propose a localization algorithm for topological maps constituted by nodes and edges in a graph form. The focus is to develop a robust localization…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper's purpose is to propose a localization algorithm for topological maps constituted by nodes and edges in a graph form. The focus is to develop a robust localization algorithm that works well even under various dynamic noises.

Design/methodology/approach

For robust localization, the authors propose an algorithm which utilizes all available data such as node information, sensor measurements at the current time step (which are used in previous algorithms) and edge information, and sensor measurements at previous time steps (which have not been considered in other papers). Also, the algorithm estimates a robot's location in a multi‐modal manner which increases its robustness.

Findings

Findings show that the proposed algorithm works well in topological maps with various dynamics which are induced by the moving objects in the map and measurement noises from cheap sensors.

Originality/value

Unlike previous approaches, the proposed algorithm has three key features: usage of edge data, inclusion of history information, and a multi‐modal based approach. By virtue of these features, the paper develops an algorithm that enables robust localization performance.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 35 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2013

Riaan Stopforth

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanical, kinematic and biological aspects that would be required for a customized upper limb exoskeleton prototype operation.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanical, kinematic and biological aspects that would be required for a customized upper limb exoskeleton prototype operation.

Design/methodology/approach

The research contained a literature survey, design, simulation, development and testing of an exoskeleton arm.

Findings

An adjustable/customizable exoskeleton arm was developed with a kinematic model to allow the desired motion. Tests were performed to determine the feasibility of the system.

Originality/value

The paper shows how the authors researched, designed and developed an exoskeleton arm that had similar mechanical properties to those of a biological arm. The exoskeleton must allow customization and be adaptable to the operator, without the need for major alterations.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 40 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 March 2016

Drew van der Riet, Riaan Stopforth, Glen Bright and Olaf Diegel

This paper aims to explore the electronic design of the Touch Hand: a low-cost electrically powered prosthetic hand. The hand is equipped with an array of sensors allowing for…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the electronic design of the Touch Hand: a low-cost electrically powered prosthetic hand. The hand is equipped with an array of sensors allowing for position control and haptic sensation. Pressure sensors are used on the fingertips to detect grip force. A temperature sensor placed in the fingertip is used to measure the contact temperature of objects. Investigations are made into the use of cantilever vibration sensors to detect surface texture and object slippage. The hand is capable of performing a lateral grip of 3.7 N, a power grip of 19.5 N and to passively hold a weight of up to 8 kg with a hook grip. The hand is also tested on an amputee and used to perform basic tasks. The amputee took 30 min to learn how to operate the hands basic gripping functions.

Design/methodology/approach

Problems of previous prosthetic hands were investigated, followed by ways to improve or have similar capabilities, yet keeping in mind to reduce the price. The hand was then designed, simulated, developed and then tested. The hand was then displayed to public and tested with an amputee.

Findings

The Touch Hand’s capabilities with the usage of the low-cost materials, components and sensory system was obtained in the tests that were conducted. The results are shown in this paper to identify the appropriateness of the sensors for a usage while the costs are reduced. Furthermore, models were developed from the results obtained to take into account factors such as the non-slip material.

Research limitations/implications

The research was restricted to a US$1,000 budget to allow the availability of a low-cost prosthetic hand.

Practical implications

The Touch Hand had to have the ability to supply the amputee with haptic feedback while allowing the basic grasping of objects. The commercial value is the availability of an affordable prosthetic hand that can be used by amputees in Africa and other Lower-Income countries, yet allowing a more advanced control system compared to the pure mechanical systems currently available.

Social implications

The Touch Hand has the ability to give amputees affected in war situations the ability to grasp objects in a more affordable manner compared to the current available options. Feedback from amputees about the current features of the Touch Hand was very positive and it proves to be a way to improve society in Lower-Income countries in the near future. A sponsorship program is being developed to assist amputees with the costs of the Touch Hand.

Originality/value

The contributions of this research is a low-cost prototype system than can be commercialized to allow amputees in the Lower-Income countries to have the ability of a prosthetic hand. A sensory system in the hand is also explained which other low-cost prosthetic hands do not have, which includes temperature, force and vibration. Models of the sensors used that are developed and calibrated to the design of the hand are also described.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 36 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2008

Taro Nakamura and Kuniaki Satoh

The snail moves by propagating traveling waves from tail to head. If it is possible to propagate a traveling wave in many directions, an omni‐directional mobile robot could be…

Abstract

Purpose

The snail moves by propagating traveling waves from tail to head. If it is possible to propagate a traveling wave in many directions, an omni‐directional mobile robot could be realized. The purpose of this paper is to develop an omni‐directional mobile robot using the locomotion mechanism of the snail and to study the basic properties of the robot.

Design/methodology/approach

A unit for mobile robot was developed to generate the traveling wave based on the snail. The omni‐directional mobile robot is composed of eight units arranged in a circular shape and each abutting unit is connected by a spring. The robot generates a traveling wave by elongation and contraction of the units and realizes an omni‐directional locomotion.

Findings

It was confirmed that the robot moves using the traveling wave locomotion. Furthermore, the locomotion experiment confirmed that the robot moved in the expected direction with reasonable accuracy.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new omni‐directional mobile mechanism using traveling wave based on a snail locomotion. Since the locomotion mechanism of the snail involves moving a larger area than is the case with other creatures, it is able to move not only on irregular ground such as swamps, but also on walls and ceilings. Hence, it is thought that this robot could be applied to the inspection of walls.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 5 October 2020

Francisco Javier Ballina

Smart tourism (ST) needs the development of smart business. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the future of the smart component of tourism companies, what their…

3394

Abstract

Purpose

Smart tourism (ST) needs the development of smart business. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the future of the smart component of tourism companies, what their perspectives are and what factors can help to accelerate it.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 133 managers of tourist companies is the basis of the empirical information. The study was a personal survey carried out during FITUR 2019 International Tourism Fair of Madrid. The main element of the study is the future development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and smart tourism (ST) in business.

Findings

The results indicate that there is little development at present of the smart business eco-system and that development will continue to be slow in the future. Moreover, this is not a critical issue in the agendas of companies. It was found that tourists pressure tourism through the extensive use of their smartphones, but only at the level of tourism resources. Furthermore, it will be the consolidation of the smart tourism destination that marks the medium and long-term design of smart business.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations concern the problems of a sampling procedure. Firstly, it operates with a database of managers’ opinions; secondly, there are specificities of each company in particular.

Practical implications

The design of the smart tourism destination must incorporate the integration of tourism companies, both with a useful vision of ICTs towards the creation of experiences.

Originality/value

Research on smart business tourism is very scarce compared to smart destination and smart tourists. Also, the data are supported by managers of important tourism companies, as their companies are present at FITUR.

Details

Journal of Tourism Futures, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2055-5911

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 June 2007

M. Sreekumar, T. Nagarajan, M. Singaperumal, M. Zoppi and R. Molfino

The purpose of this paper is to review the current application areas of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators in intelligent robotic systems and devices.

5289

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the current application areas of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators in intelligent robotic systems and devices.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyses how actuation and sensing functions of the SMA actuator have been exploited and incorporated in micro and macro robotic devices, developed for medical and non‐medical applications. The speed of response of SMA actuator mostly depends upon its shape and size, addition and removal of heat and the bias force applied. All these factors have impact on the overall size of the robotic device and the degree of freedom (dof) obtained and hence, a comprehensive survey is made highlighting these aspects. Also described are the mechatronic aspects like the software and hardware used in an industrial environment for the control of such nonlinear actuator and the type of sensory feedback devices incorporated for obtaining better control, positioning accuracy and fast response.

Findings

SMA actuators find wide applications in various facets of robotic equipments. Selecting a suitable shape, fast heating and cooling method and better intelligent control technique with or without feedback devices could optimize its performance.

Research limitations/implications

The frequency of SMA actuation purely depends on the rate of heat energy added to and removed from the actuator, which in turn depends upon interrelated nonlinear parameters.

Practical implications

For increasing the dof of robots, number of actuators also have to be increased that leads to complex control problems.

Originality/value

Explains the suitability of SMA as actuators in smart robotic systems, possibility of miniaturisation. It also highlights the difficulties faced by the SMA research community.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 34 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

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