scholarly journals IMU-Based Hand Gesture Interface Implementing a Sequence-Matching Algorithm for the Control of Assistive Technologies

Signals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 729-753
Author(s):  
Frédéric Schweitzer ◽  
Alexandre Campeau-Lecours
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Hand Gesture ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Sequence Matching ◽  
Matching Algorithm ◽  
Morse Code ◽  
Assistive Robot ◽  
Low Dimensionality

Assistive technologies (ATs) often have a high-dimensionality of possible movements (e.g., assistive robot with several degrees of freedom or a computer), but the users have to control them with low-dimensionality sensors and interfaces (e.g., switches). This paper presents the development of an open-source interface based on a sequence-matching algorithm for the control of ATs. Sequence matching allows the user to input several different commands with low-dimensionality sensors by not only recognizing their output, but also their sequential pattern through time, similarly to Morse code. In this paper, the algorithm is applied to the recognition of hand gestures, inputted using an inertial measurement unit worn by the user. An SVM-based algorithm, that is aimed to be robust, with small training sets (e.g., five examples per class) is developed to recognize gestures in real-time. Finally, the interface is applied to control a computer’s mouse and keyboard. The interface was compared against (and combined with) the head movement-based AssystMouse software. The hand gesture interface showed encouraging results for this application but could also be used with other body parts (e.g., head and feet) and could control various ATs (e.g., assistive robotic arm and prosthesis).

scholarly journals Inertial Measurement Unit Sensors in Assistive Technologies for Visually Impaired People, a Review

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4767
Author(s):  
Karla Miriam Reyes Leiva ◽  
Milagros Jaén-Vargas ◽  
Benito Codina ◽  
José Javier Serrano Olmedo
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Measurement Unit ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Biomechanical Analysis ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Inertial Measurement ◽  
Visually Impaired People ◽  
Impaired People ◽  
Application Fields

A diverse array of assistive technologies have been developed to help Visually Impaired People (VIP) face many basic daily autonomy challenges. Inertial measurement unit sensors, on the other hand, have been used for navigation, guidance, and localization but especially for full body motion tracking due to their low cost and miniaturization, which have allowed the estimation of kinematic parameters and biomechanical analysis for different field of applications. The aim of this work was to present a comprehensive approach of assistive technologies for VIP that include inertial sensors as input, producing results on the comprehension of technical characteristics of the inertial sensors, the methodologies applied, and their specific role in each developed system. The results show that there are just a few inertial sensor-based systems. However, these sensors provide essential information when combined with optical sensors and radio signals for navigation and special application fields. The discussion includes new avenues of research, missing elements, and usability analysis, since a limitation evidenced in the selected articles is the lack of user-centered designs. Finally, regarding application fields, it has been highlighted that a gap exists in the literature regarding aids for rehabilitation and biomechanical analysis of VIP. Most of the findings are focused on navigation and obstacle detection, and this should be considered for future applications.

scholarly journals Development of Non Expensive Technologies for Precise Maneuvering of Completely Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 391
Author(s):  
Luca Bigazzi ◽  
Stefano Gherardini ◽  
Giacomo Innocenti ◽  
Michele Basso
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Vision System ◽  
Video Stream ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Absolute Position ◽  
Light Load ◽  
Aerial Vehicles ◽  
Angular Velocities ◽  
Custom Hardware

In this paper, solutions for precise maneuvering of an autonomous small (e.g., 350-class) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are designed and implemented from smart modifications of non expensive mass market technologies. The considered class of vehicles suffers from light load, and, therefore, only a limited amount of sensors and computing devices can be installed on-board. Then, to make the prototype capable of moving autonomously along a fixed trajectory, a “cyber-pilot”, able on demand to replace the human operator, has been implemented on an embedded control board. This cyber-pilot overrides the commands thanks to a custom hardware signal mixer. The drone is able to localize itself in the environment without ground assistance by using a camera possibly mounted on a 3 Degrees Of Freedom (DOF) gimbal suspension. A computer vision system elaborates the video stream pointing out land markers with known absolute position and orientation. This information is fused with accelerations from a 6-DOF Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to generate a “virtual sensor” which provides refined estimates of the pose, the absolute position, the speed and the angular velocities of the drone. Due to the importance of this sensor, several fusion strategies have been investigated. The resulting data are, finally, fed to a control algorithm featuring a number of uncoupled digital PID controllers which work to bring to zero the displacement from the desired trajectory.

Modular Origami Robot Inspired by a Scorpion Tail

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jovana Jovanova ◽  
Maja Anachkova ◽  
Viktor Gavriloski ◽  
Dimitar Petrevski ◽  
Franka Grazhdani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Basic Structure ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Main Concept ◽  
Multiple Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Transparent Layer ◽  
Plastic Foil ◽  
Greater Curvature ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Outer Coating

Arthropod animals like scorpions with modular body parts can be an inspiration for a robot’s structure. The design presented here relays on inter-connected origami towers, but could also be easily disassembled. Each origami tower is fully autonomous and at the same time is part of the robot as a whole. The towers are positioned between two platforms that enable modularity. The scorpion’s tale shape is achieved by the varying platform diameter resulting in cone-like form. Each tower is actuated independently to enable multiple degrees of freedom. Maneuvering with separated units, assists in easier reparation as well as replacement. Detaching the towers into separate parts makes this structure develop more precise movements, since every unit will move autonomously. Therefore, having a higher number of separated movements combined leads to a smooth bionic movement. So, the overall hierarchy will be modular contributing to a greater curvature bending of the whole structure. Actuating and maneuvering the robot in the main concept is done by separated electro motors, built in the platform. The basic structure will be built from thick paper with plastic coatings. The thick paper itself is lightweight, but at the same time flexible. To protect the paper towers, double plastic foil is placed as an outer coating which acts as an origami cover. This transparent layer is elastic hence it can follow and support the individual units’ movements. This work is focused on understanding origami towers kinematics and different combinations of inter-connected towers to achieve multiple degrees of freedom. A conceptual model is developed, supported by CAD and mathematical models. At the end a prototype is presented.

scholarly journals Design of Novel BELBIC Controlled Semi-Active Suspension and Comparative Analysis with Passive and PID Controlled Suspension

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaj SHARMA ◽  
Vinod KUMAR
Keyword(s):  
Human Body ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Active Suspension ◽  
Driver Model ◽  
Ride Quality ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Hybrid Techniques ◽  
Design Engineers ◽  
Mass Displacement

Passenger comfort, quality of ride, and handling have broughta lot of attention and concern toautomotive design engineers. These 2 parameters must have optimum balance as they have an inverse effect on each other. Researchers have proposed several approaches and techniques like PID control, fuzzy approach, GA, techniques with inspiration from nature and hybrid techniques to attain the same. A new controller based on the learning behavior of the human brain has been used for the control of semi-active suspension in this study. The controller is known as the Brain Emotional Learning-Based Intelligent Controller (BELBIC). A one-fourth model of car along with the driver model having 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) wasmodeled and simulated. The objective of the studywasto analyze the performance of the proposed controller for improving the dynamic response of the vehicle model coupled with complex biodynamic models of the human body as a passenger, making the whole dynamic system very complex to control. The performance wasanalyzed based on percentage reduction in the overshoot of the vehicle’s sprung mass as well as different human body parts when subjected to road disturbances. The proposed controller performance wascompared with the PID controller, widely used in semi-active suspension. The simulation results obtained for BELBIC controlled system for circular road bump showed that the overshoot of passenger head and body wasreduced by 18.84 and 18.82 %, respectively and reduction for buttock and leg displacement was18.87 %. The vehicle’s seat and sprung mass displacement displayedan improvement of 18.90 and 18.51 %. The overshoot of passenger's head and body displacement wasimproved by 19.79and 19.62 %,respectively, whereas improvement for buttock & leg, vehicle’s seat, and sprung mass displacement were19.81, 20.00, and 20.49 % against trapezoidal speed bump. The PID controlled suspension disclosed an improvement of 8.74, 8.53, 8.75, 11.11, 14.75 % against circular bump and 10.72, 10.33, 10.73, 11.11 and 11.75 % against trapezoidal bump for overshoot reduction of passenger head, body, buttock & leg, vehicle’s seat and sprung mass displacement, respectively. The proposed BELBIC controlled semi-active suspension outperformed the widely used PID controlled semi-active suspension and indicated asignificant improvement in the ride quality of the vehicle.

Model Tests for Safe-Return-to-Port of a Damaged Ship in Waves

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeonghwa Seo ◽  
Cristobal Santiago Bravo ◽  
Shin Hyung Rhee
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Model Tests ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Test Model ◽  
Motion Response ◽  
Six Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Heading Angle ◽  
Wave Conditions ◽  
Damaged Ship

A series of tests using a course-keeping model ship with an autopilot system were carried out in a towing tank for research on Safe-Return-to-Port (SRTP). The autopilot system controls the rudder angle and propeller revolution rate by a feedback system. The variation of the heading angle of the test model with different control parameters was investigated first, to ensure that the test model had sufficient course-keeping maneuverability in severe wave conditions. The wave conditions and propeller revolution rate were selected based on SRTP regulations. Tests were conducted in wave conditions corresponding to sea states 4 to 6. The six-degrees-of-freedom motion response of the test model was measured by a wireless inertial measurement unit and gyro sensors to achieve fully wireless model tests. The advance speed and motion response in various wave conditions were measured and analyzed to investigate the effects of flooding behavior in a damaged condition and of waves on the propulsion and maneuvering performance of the damaged ship model.

An appropriate biomechanical model of seated human subjects exposed to whole-body vibration

2021 ◽  
pp. 146441932110394
Author(s):  
Raj Desai ◽  
Anirban Guha ◽  
Pasumarthy Seshu
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Biomechanical Model ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Lumped Parameter ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
The One ◽  
The Right

Long duration automobile-induced vibration is the cause of many ailments to humans. Predicting and mitigating these vibrations through seat requires a good model of seated human body. A good model is the one that strikes the right balance between modelling difficulty and simulation results accuracy. Increasing the number of body parts which have been separately modelled and increasing the number of ways these parts are connected to each other increase the number of degrees of freedom of the entire model. A number of such models have been reported in the literature. These range from simple lumped parameter models with limited accuracy to advanced models with high computational cost. However, a systematic comparison of these models has not been reported till date. This work creates eight such models ranging from 8 to 26 degrees of freedom and tries to identify the model which strikes the right balance between modelling complexity and results accuracy. A comparison of the models’ prediction with experimental data published in the literature allows the identification of a 12 degree of freedom backrest supported model as optimum for modelling complexity and prediction accuracy.

‘A Hand for the One-Handed’: Prosthesis User-Inventors and the Market for Assistive Technologies in Early Nineteenth-Century Britain

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurel Daen
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Early Nineteenth Century ◽  
Practical Advice ◽  
Literary Sources ◽  
The One

This chapter adds to historical studies of artificial body parts by exploring the reciprocal relationship between fictional texts and the prosthesis industry in nineteenth-century Britain and America. Focussing primarily on prostheses—including artificial legs, dentures, and glass eyes—in relation to female users, it demonstrates that fictional writing was a key component of nineteenth-century prosthesis discourse. The chapter argues that literary stories provided practical advice for readers on the kinds of prostheses that should be avoided for both social and functional purposes. Women in particular were targeted as consumers who should pay special attention when choosing prostheses. Popular literary sources, often packaged as marriage plots, provided kinds of advertisements not for but against certain prostheses. Meanwhile, both entire fictional works and particular representational strategies were used by contemporary prosthetists interchangeably as means through which to subtly disparage the devices of opposing makers, reinforce the proprietary ownership of particular designs, or promote the concealing abilities of particular devices to female users.

scholarly journals Benchmarking a Many-Core Neuromorphic Platform With an MPI-Based DNA Sequence Matching Algorithm

Electronics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1342
Author(s):  
Gianvito Urgese ◽  
Francesco Barchi ◽  
Emanuele Parisi ◽  
Evelina Forno ◽  
Andrea Acquaviva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequence ◽  
Parallel Architecture ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Sequence Matching ◽  
Matching Algorithm ◽  
Computing Platform ◽  
Globally Asynchronous Locally Synchronous ◽  
Efficient Communication ◽  
The Many ◽  
Many Core

SpiNNaker is a neuromorphic globally asynchronous locally synchronous (GALS) multi-core architecture designed for simulating a spiking neural network (SNN) in real-time. Several studies have shown that neuromorphic platforms allow flexible and efficient simulations of SNN by exploiting the efficient communication infrastructure optimised for transmitting small packets across the many cores of the platform. However, the effectiveness of neuromorphic platforms in executing massively parallel general-purpose algorithms, while promising, is still to be explored. In this paper, we present an implementation of a parallel DNA sequence matching algorithm implemented by using the MPI programming paradigm ported to the SpiNNaker platform. In our implementation, all cores available in the board are configured for executing in parallel an optimised version of the Boyer-Moore (BM) algorithm. Exploiting this application, we benchmarked the SpiNNaker platform in terms of scalability and synchronisation latency. Experimental results indicate that the SpiNNaker parallel architecture allows a linear performance increase with the number of used cores and shows better scalability compared to a general-purpose multi-core computing platform.

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