Human robot interaction for manipulation tasks based on stroke gesture recognition

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 700-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajun Li ◽  
Jianguo Tao ◽  
Liang Ding ◽  
Haibo Gao ◽  
Zongquan Deng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gesture Recognition ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Recognition Accuracy ◽  
Parameter Extraction ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Extraction System ◽  
Robot Interaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend the usage of stroke gestures in manipulation tasks to make the interaction between human and robot more efficient. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, a set of stroke gestures is designed for typical manipulation tasks. A gesture recognition and parameter extraction system is proposed to exploit the information in stroke gestures drawn by the users. Findings The results show that the designed gesture recognition subsystem can reach a recognition accuracy of 99.00 per cent. The parameter extraction subsystem can successfully extract parameters needed for typical manipulation tasks with a success rate about 86.30 per cent. The system shows an acceptable performance in the experiments. Practical implications Using stroke gesture in manipulation tasks can make the transmission of human intentions to the robots more efficient. The proposed gesture recognition subsystem is based on convolutional neural network which is robust to different input. The parameter extraction subsystem can extract the spatial information encoded in stroke gestures. Originality/value The author designs stroke gestures for manipulation tasks which is an extension of the usage of stroke gestures. The proposed gesture recognition and parameter extraction system can make use of stroke gestures to get the type of the task and important parameters for the task simultaneously.

AI and libraries: trends and projections

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adetoun A. Oyelude
Keyword(s):  
Language Processing ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Human Intelligence ◽  
Library Service ◽  
Robot Interaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
Advanced Technologies

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the trends and projection for future use of artificial intelligence (AI) in libraries. AI technologies is the latest among the technologies being used in libraries. The technology has systems that have natural language processing, machine learning and pattern recognition capabilities that make service provision easier for libraries. Design/methodology/approach Systematic literature review is done, exploring blogs and wikis, to collect information on the ways in which AI is used and can be futuristically used in libraries. Findings This paper found that uses of AI in libraries entailed enhanced services such as content indexing, document matching, content mapping content summarization and many others. AI possibilities were also found to include improving the technology of gripping, localizing and human–robot interaction and also having artificial superintelligence, the hypothetical AI that surpasses human intelligence and abilities. Originality/value It is concluded that advanced technologies that AI are, will help librarians to open up new horizons and solve challenges that crop up in library service delivery.

Improving stability in physical human–robot interaction by estimating human hand stiffness and a vibration index

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feifei Bian ◽  
Danmei Ren ◽  
Ruifeng Li ◽  
Peidong Liang
Keyword(s):  
Time Delay ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Interaction Force ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Human Hand ◽  
Robot Interaction ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to eliminate instability which may occur when a human stiffens his arms in physical human–robot interaction by estimating the human hand stiffness and presenting a modified vibration index. Design/methodology/approach Human hand stiffness is first estimated in real time as a prior indicator of instability by capturing the arm configuration and modeling the level of muscle co-contraction in the human’s arms. A time-domain vibration index based on the interaction force is then modified to reduce the delay in instability detection. The instability is confirmed when the vibration index exceeds a given threshold. The virtual damping coefficient in admittance controller is adjusted accordingly to ensure stability in physical human–robot interaction. Findings By estimating the human hand stiffness and modifying the vibration index, the instability which may occur in stiff environment in physical human–robot interaction is detected and eliminated, and the time delay is reduced. The experimental results demonstrate significant improvement in stabilizing the system when the human operator stiffens his arms. Originality/value The originality is in estimating the human hand stiffness online as a prior indicator of instability by capturing the arm configuration and modeling the level of muscle co-contraction in the human’s arms. A modification of the vibration index is also an originality to reduce the time delay of instability detection.

Designing robot behavior in human robot interaction based on emotion expression

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 380-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Wei ◽  
Jing Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Humanoid Robot ◽  
Humanoid Robots ◽  
Emotion Expression ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Industrial Robots ◽  
Robot Interaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Robotic Arms ◽  
Robot Behavior ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to deal with the problem of designing robot behaviors (mainly to robotic arms) to express emotions. The authors study the effects of robot behaviors from our humanoid robot NAO on the subject’s emotion expression in human–robot interaction (HRI). Design/methodology/approach A method to design robot behavior through the movement primitives is proposed. Then, a novel dimensional affective model is built. Finally, the concept of action semantics is adopted to combine the robot behaviors with emotion expression. Findings For the evaluation of this combination, the authors assess positive (excited and happy) and negative (frightened and sad) emotional patterns on 20 subjects which are divided into two groups (whether they were familiar with robots). The results show that the recognition of the different emotion patterns does not have differences between the two groups and the subjects could recognize the robot behaviors with emotions. Practical implications Using affective models to guide robots’ behavior or express their intentions is highly beneficial in human–robot interaction. The authors think about several applications of the emotional motion: improve efficiency in HRI, direct people during disasters, better understanding with human partners or help people perform their tasks better. Originality/value This paper presents a method to design robot behaviors with emotion expression. Meanwhile, a similar methodology can be used in other parts (leg, torso, head and so on) of humanoid robots or non-humanoid robots, such as industrial robots.

Common metrics for web-based mapping applications in academic libraries

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 918-935 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ningning Kong ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Ilana Stonebraker
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
General Information ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Data Content ◽  
Information Providers ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish common metrics for web-based mapping applications to facilitate user decision making and enhance information providers’ product design. Design/methodology/approach – The metrics were developed from a combination of literature review and case studies. From the literature review, the authors identified three major areas of assessment for web-based mapping applications. The authors then studied six online applications to refine the metrics. Findings – The results suggest that web-based mapping applications can be evaluated from three major aspects: data content, geographic information systems (GIS) functionality and usability. The authors have developed detailed measures for each factor through the evaluation of the six applications. Practical implications – The metrics developed from this study could be used as a standard for online spatial information users to choose appropriate products according to their needs. It can also provide valuable information for data providers to improve their products. Originality/value – To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that has systematically examined web-based mapping applications in academic libraries. Results from this study could be a valuable tool for librarians as well as general information users without background of GIS and usability to evaluate online mapping resources.

Quantitative analysis of blind tower-crane lifts using laser-scanning information

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aviad Shapira ◽  
Sagi Filin ◽  
Amit Wicnudel
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Field Of View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tower Crane ◽  
Work Area ◽  
Lift Task ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This study aims to show how laser scanning data can be utilised to quantitatively assess “blind lifts” with respect to their rate and spatial distribution. Design/methodology/approach – This study employed time study of crane cycles for quantitative measuring of the crane’s work periods in dead areas and mapping the crane operator’s field of view and developing a model that allows the spatial analysis of blind lifts. Findings – This study found a discrete geometric laser scan-based model that is capable of locating and quantifying the visible and invisible zones from the crane operator’s cabin; 28 per cent of the analyzed crane’s work area represented by the model were found to be invisible, which corresponds fairly to 35 per cent of the half-cycles measured manually that were found to involve blind lifting; the range of blind lifts duration derived from the spatial information-based model was 50 to 84 per cent, which is in excellent correspondence with the 54 per cent to 82 per cent range obtained from the time unit-based analysis. Research limitations/implications – The laser-based model and the ensuing analyses are limited to the type of buildings whose envelope can practically be represented by the vertical extrusion of their footprint. Practical implications – The practical implications of the study are reduction of blind lifts as a factor when selecting the location of the crane and staging areas; more effective preplanning of signallers positioning; and ad hoc consideration of analysed dead space for various lift task-based decision-making during construction. Originality/value – This study demonstrates the ability to capture the geometric relations that characterise the work scene around the tower crane by harnessing the increasingly available laser technology and correlates the results of the manual observations with those obtained from the laser-based model.

scholarly journals Improving human–robot interactions in hospitality settings

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Galen R. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Service Robots ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Property Management ◽  
Robot Interaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Levels ◽  
Autonomous Service

PurposeService robotics, a branch of robotics that entails the development of robots able to assist humans in their environment, is of growing interest in the hospitality industry. Designing effective autonomous service robots, however, requires an understanding of Human–Robot Interaction (HRI), a relatively young discipline dedicated to understanding, designing, and evaluating robotic systems for use by or with humans. HRI has not yet received sufficient attention in hospitality robotic design, much like Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) in property management system design in the 1980s. This article proposes a set of introductory HRI guidelines with implementation standards for autonomous hospitality service robots.Design/methodology/approachA set of key user-centered HRI guidelines for hospitality service robots were extracted from 52 research articles. These are organized into service performance categories to provide more context for their application in hospitality settings.FindingsBased on an extensive literature review, this article presents some HRI guidelines that may drive higher levels of acceptance of service robots in customer-facing situations. Deriving meaningful HRI guidelines requires an understanding of how customers evaluate service interactions with humans in hospitality settings and to what degree those will differ with service robots.Originality/valueRobots are challenging assumptions on how hospitality businesses operate. They are being increasingly deployed by hotels and restaurants to boost productivity and maintain service levels. Effective HRI guidelines incorporate user requirements and expectations in the design specifications. Compilation of such information for designers of hospitality service robots will offer a clearer roadmap for them to follow.

Hybrid oscillator-based no-delay hip exoskeleton control for free walking assistance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Yang ◽  
Linghui Xu ◽  
Linfan Yu ◽  
Yuting Chen ◽  
Zehao Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Delay Compensation ◽  
Robot Interaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adaptive Oscillators ◽  
Force Peak ◽  
Gait Phase

Purpose Walking-aid exoskeletons can assist and protect effectively the group with lower limb muscle strength decline, workers, first responders and military personnel. However, there is almost no united control strategy that can effectively assist daily walking. This paper aims to propose a hybrid oscillators’ (HOs) model to adapt to irregular gait (IG) patterns (frequent alternation between walking and standing or rapid changing of walking speed, etc.) and generate compliant and no-delay assistive torque. Design/methodology/approach The proposed algorithm, HOs, combines adaptive oscillators (AOs) with phase oscillator through switching assistive mode depending on whether or not the AOs' predicting error of hip joint degree is exceeded our expectation. HOs can compensate for delay by predicting gait phase when in AOs mode. Several treadmill and free walking experiments are designed to test the adaptability and effectiveness of HOs model under IG. Findings The experimental results show that the assistive strategy based on the HOs is effective under IG patterns, and delay is compensated totally under quasiperiodic gait conditions where a smoother human–robot interaction (HRI) force and the reduction of HRI force peak are observed. Delay compensation is found very effective at improving the performance of the assistive exoskeleton. Originality/value A novel algorithm is proposed to improve the adaptability of a walking assist hip exoskeleton in daily walking as well as generate compliant, no-delay assistive torque when converging.

Consumer value creation through WhatsApp use

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-471
Author(s):  
Jorge Cruz-Cárdenas ◽  
Jorge Guadalupe-Lanas ◽  
Ekaterina Zabelina ◽  
Andrés Palacio-Fierro ◽  
Margarita Velín-Fárez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Role Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Value ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand in-depth how consumers create value in their lives using WhatsApp, the leading mobile instant messaging (MIM) application. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts the perspective of customer-dominant logic (CDL) and uses a qualitative multimethod design involving 3 focus groups and 25 subsequent in-depth interviews. The research setting was Ecuador, a Latin American country. Findings Analysis and interpretation of the participants’ stories made it possible to identify and understand the creation of four types of value: maintaining and strengthening relationships; improving role performance; emotional support; and entertainment and fun. In addition, the present study proposes a conceptual model of consumer value creation as it applies to MIM. Practical implications Understanding the way consumers create value in their lives using MIM is important not only for organizations that offer MIM applications, but also for those companies that develop other applications for mobile phones or for those who wish to use MIM as an electronic word-of-mouth vehicle. Originality/value The current study is one of the first to address the topic of consumer behavior in the use of technologies from the perspective of CDL; this perspective enables an integrated qualitative vision of value creation in which the consumer is the protagonist.

scholarly journals Advantages and potential challenges of data management in e-maintenance

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 378-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arian Razmi-Farooji ◽  
Hanna Kropsu-Vehkaperä ◽  
Janne Härkönen ◽  
Harri Haapasalo
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Maintenance Systems ◽  
Industry Leader ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to understand data management challenges in e-maintenance systems from a holistically viewpoint through summarizing the earlier scattered research in the field, and second, to present a conceptual approach for addressing these challenges in practice. Design/methodology/approach The study is realized as a combination of a literature review and by the means of analyzing the practices on an industry leader in manufacturing and maintenance services. Findings This research provides a general understanding over data management challenges in e-maintenance and summarizes their associated proposed solutions. In addition, this paper lists and exemplifies different types and sources of data which can be collected in e-maintenance, across different organizational levels. Analyzing the data management practices of an e-maintenance industry leader provides a conceptual approach to address identified challenges in practice. Research limitations/implications Since this paper is based on studying the practices of a single company, it might be limited to generalize the results. Future research topics can focus on each of mentioned data management challenges and also validate the applicability of presented model in other companies and industries. Practical implications Understanding the e-maintenance-related challenges helps maintenance managers and other involved stakeholders in e-maintenance systems to better solve the challenges. Originality/value The so-far literature on e-maintenance has been studied with narrow focus to data and data management in e-maintenance appears as one of the less studied topics in the literature. This research paper contributes to e-maintenance by highlighting the deficiencies of the discussion surrounding the perspectives of data management in e-maintenance by studying all common data management challenges and listing different types of data which need to be acquired in e-maintenance systems.

An exploratory empirical study of whistleblowing and whistleblowers

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 755-770
Author(s):  
Maria Krambia-Kapardis
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Topic ◽  
Due Date ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unethical Behaviour ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
European Directive ◽  
Original Survey ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a profile of whistleblowers and to determine whether whistleblowing legislation would encourage those individuals to bring to light some illegal or unethical behaviour that otherwise would remain in the shadows. Design/methodology/approach Having identified whistleblowing correlation, a survey was carried out in Cyprus of actual whistleblowers and could-have-been whistleblowers. Findings Males between 46 and55 years of age, regardless of whether they have dependents or hold senior positions in organizations are significantly more likely to blow the whistle. However, could-have-been whistleblowers did not go ahead because they felt that the authorities would not act on their information. Research limitations/implications Because of the sensitive nature of the research topic and the fact that only whistleblowers or intended whistleblowers could participate in the study, the sample size is limited as a result. This, in turn, limits both the number of respondents in each category (actual and intended) as well as constrains the statistical analysis that could be carried out on the data. Practical implications It remains to be seen whether EU Member States shall implement the European Directive 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union Law, in its entirety by the due date, namely December 2021. Originality/value This study provides a literature review of whistleblowing and reports an original survey against the backdrop of the European Directive.

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