Techniques for the detection and recognition of objects have experienced continuous development over recent years, as their application and benefits are so very obvious. Whether they are involved in driving a car, environment surveillance and security, or assistive living for people with different disabilities, not to mention advanced robotic surgery, these techniques are almost indispensable. This article presents the research results of a distance assessment using object detection and recognition techniques. The first is a new technique based on low-cost photo cameras and special sign detection. The second is a classic approach based on a LIDAR sensor and an HQ photo camera. Its novelty, in this case, consists of the concept and prototype of the hardware subsystem for high-precision distance measurement, as well as fast and accurate object recognition. The experimentally obtained results are used for the motion control strategy (directional inverse kinematics) of the robotic arm (virtual prototype) component in special assistive devices designed for visually impaired persons. The advantages of the original technical solution, experimentally validated by a prototype system with modern equipment, are the precision and the short time required for the identification and recognition of objects at relatively short distances. The research results obtained, in both the real and virtual experiments, stand as a basis for the further development of the visually impaired mechatronic system prototype using additional ultrasonic sensors, stereoscopic or multiple cameras, and the implementation of machine-learning models for safety-critical tasks.
Active and Assistive Living, AAL, is a concept that attention have been focused on in the last decades. There are many young people with disabilities, such as visually impairment, missing limbs, AVC stroke problems. There are also many old people who have locomotion, eyesight and many other health problems that make their lives so very difficult. The authors of this paper present aspects of their research regarding new concepts, models and prototypes (virtual and 3D printed) of robotic systems intended to assist people with disabilities for an active and normal life. An innovative open source system for guidance of young people (but, also elderly ones) with eyesight problems has been developed. It is intended to be used indoors also outdoors, to provide audio guidance, haptic guidance, or both. Research aspects on a bionic prosthesis for the upper limb are evidenced. The focus is on a two fingers model that should be considered as the proof of concept. Innovative mechatronic system designed to help people, who can no longer stand and / or walk is further presented. A virtual platform concept aimed at the integration of all these devices, and similar others, to communicate by IoT is shown.
Engineering robotic systems stand for a challenging complex process, closely related to product development phases. Society’s needs and requirements generate the idea for new robot products, which are sketched as an initial concept. This is the moment when the design phases start, engineers continue their work by evaluating and optimizing the mechanical parts according to many criteria: kinematics, dynamics, the strength of materials, NVH, thermal assessments, etc. Finally, there are established specifications for prototype execution, environment sustainability, end-user specifications, and recycling requirements. All these phases could be implemented into smart software. SolidWorks is such software enabling the creation of new mechanical designs automatically based on its programming tools. This chapter is focused on relevant advanced capabilities of SolidWorks software to assist engineers in achieving a new advanced level in mechanical design, that of automatically generating new or modifying existing concepts according to the requirements. By using professional software in research studies, new engineering procedures can be developed in order to automate the concept and design phases for many concurrent engineering methodologies, design optimization methods, manufacturing, documentation, or end-user specification. Case studies on the different types of robot systems used in healthcare and assisted living are presented.
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