In recent years there is a crescent interest for operating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in new areas beyond the current reserved airspace. Such fact has forced regulatory organisations such as the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) to evaluate unmanned aircraft and to propose regulations for the expanded use of such aircraft. The definition of these regulations is a challenge for the ICAO and the academic community. This paper proposes guidelines seeking the integration of autonomous UAS into the Global ATM proposals from the aircraft viewpoint, the autonomous pilot and the aircraft interaction in GlobalATM. The possibility of integrating UAS into airspace depends on regulations that are yet to be defined and proper data with which to assure the flight safety standards of this new aircraft type.
Thousands of people currently suffer from motor limitations caused by SCI and strokes, which impose personal and social challenges. These individuals may have a satisfactory recovery by applying functional electrical stimulation that enables the artificial restoration of grasping after a muscular conditioning period. This paper presents the STIMGRASP, a home-based functional electrical stimulator to be used as an assistive technology for users with tetraplegia or hemiplegia. The STIMGRASP is a microcontrolled stimulator with eight multiplexed and independent symmetric biphasic constant current output channels with USB and Bluetooth communication. The system generates pulses with frequency, width, and maximum amplitude set at 20 Hz, 300 µs/phase, and 40 mA (load of 1 kΩ), respectively. It is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery of 3100 mAh, allowing more than 10 h of continuous use. The development of this system focused on portability, usability, and wearability, resulting in portable hardware with user-friendly mobile app control and an orthosis with electrodes, allowing the user to carry out muscle activation sequences for four grasp modes to use for achieving daily activities.
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