Mechatronic Anti-Collision System for Electric Wheelchairs Based on 2D LiDAR Laser Scan

Electric wheelchairs make it easier for disabled and elderly people to live, move, interact, and participate in society. Moving a wheelchair in open spaces is relatively easy, but in closed and small spaces, maneuvering is difficult. Solutions to such problems for people with disabilities are applicable to a relatively small group of recipients and are mostly custom-made solutions, whose considerable cost is a significant barrier to accessibility. New technologies can provide an opportunity to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities in this aspect. Using selected elements of complex automation and control systems, cost-effective solutions can be created that facilitate the functioning of people with disabilities. This paper presents an analysis of hazards and problems when maneuvering a wheelchair in narrow passageways, as well as the authors’ solution to this problem, and the concept and assumptions of a mechatronic anti-collision system based on 2D LiDAR laser scanners. This solution is composed of a proprietary 2D rotating scanner mechanism that ensures the acquisition of 3D images of the environment around the wheelchair. Preliminary tests of this solution yielded promising results. Further research will include miniaturization of the device.

Geomatic techniques in forensic science: A review

The purpose of this review paper is to highlight various geomatic techniques that crime scene reconstructionists or forensic practitioners can use to document different kinds of scenes, highlighting the advantages, disadvantages, and when best to use each technology. This paper explores geomatic techniques such as a total station, photogrammetry, laser scanners and structured light scanners and how they can be used to reconstruct crime scenes. The goal of this paper is not to discredit manual methods, as they are long standing and reliable, but instead to shed light on alternative methods that may produce equally or more accurate results with a more visually appealing final product. It is important for law enforcement and forensic professionals to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, knowing when certain techniques should be used (and when they should not), and being able to revert to traditional methods if required.

Laser Scanning Devices and Their Use in Future Lunar Missions.

The paper gives approaches to the use of existing LIDAR (Light Identification, Detection and Ranging) scanning systems to survey the Moon and other plan-ets. The study conducted is based on available domestic and foreign experience in using aerial (ALS), mobile (MLS), and ground (GLS) laser scanners. Issues of using space scanning systems for spatial and technical monitoring are also considered. The formulated problems of the creation and operation of space-purposed scanning systems allow determining the priority lines of applied scientific studies in this subject area.

Integration and Application of Multimodal Measurement Techniques: Relevance of Photogrammetry to Orthodontics

Multimodal imaging, including 3D modalities, is increasingly being applied in orthodontics, both as a diagnostic tool and especially for the design of intraoral appliances, where geometric accuracy is very important. Laser scanners and other precision 3D-imaging devices are expensive and cumbersome, which limits their use in medical practice. Photogrammetry, using ordinary 2D photographs or video recordings to create 3D imagery, offers a cheaper and more convenient alternative, replacing the specialised equipment with handy consumer cameras. The present study addresses the question of to what extent, and under what conditions, this technique can be an adequate replacement for the 3D scanner. The accuracy of simple surface reconstruction and of model embedding achieved with photogrammetry was verified against that obtained with a triangulating laser scanner. To roughly evaluate the impact of image imperfections on photogrammetric reconstruction, the photographs for photogrammetry were taken under various lighting conditions and were used either raw or with a blur-simulating defocus. Video footage was also tested as another 2D-imaging modality feeding data into photogrammetry. The results show the significant potential of photogrammetric techniques.

Analysis of Laser Sensors and Camera Vision in the Shoe Position Inspection System

Inspection systems are currently an evolving field in the industry. The main goal is to provide a picture of the quality of intermediates and products in the production process. The most widespread sensory system is camera equipment. This article describes the implementation of camera devices for checking the location of the upper on the shoe last. The next part of the article deals with the analysis of the application of laser sensors in this task. The results point to the clear advantages of laser sensors in the inspection task of placing the uppers on the shoe’s last. The proposed method defined the resolution of laser scanners according to the type of scanned surface, where the resolution of point cloud ranged from 0.16 to 0.5 mm per point based on equations representing specific points approximated to polynomial regression in specific places, which are defined in this article. Next, two inspection systems were described, where one included further development in the field of automation and industry 4.0 and with a high perspective of development into the future. The main aim of this work is to conduct analyses of sensory systems for inspection systems and their possibilities for further work mainly based on the resolution and quality of obtained data. For instance, dependency on scanning complex surfaces and the achieved resolution of scanned surfaces.

Application of 3D Laser Scanning for Digitization, Design and Analysis of Multistoried Building

Laser scanning is a fast-developing technology, which collects millions of points and creates a framework within a few minutes, generating a 'point cloud' of the structure. Laser scanning is a quite new but rapidly evolving technology that has been reviewed. this research study has used most modern models of laser scanners and their accompanying software that are capable of accurate capture and alignment of point clouds. Consequently, the laser scans have precisely captured the current geometry of each structure, which is irregular in many cases due to inherently complex geometry, anomalies during the original construction, aging, deterioration, and structural damage. As both the exterior and interior of the structure have been scanned, the point cloud became a digital 3D image of the historical building, which can be virtually toured from inside and outside. A 4-story public building was scanned using a 3D laser scanner to determine the architectural and structural drawings of the response to an earthquake. The application of passive control using a damper with the laser scanner has been modelled in this study. The results corroborate that this technique provides the best outcomes for reducing seismic damage collapses.

The Development of a Low Cost Inertial Navigation System for a Remotely Operated Vehicle

<p>Modern robotic vehicles use a large and varied set of sensors to navigate and localise their position in the environment and determine where they should be heading to accomplish their tasks. These sensors include GPS, infrared and ultrasonic range finders, laser scanners and sonar. However, the underwater environment presents challengers for modern robotic vehicles because most sensors that are typically used for navigation and localisation have reduced or no functionality underwater. This thesis details the design and construction of a low cost Inertial Navigation System use on the Victoria University of Wellington's (VUW) Mechatronics group Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The major electronic systems, comprising of the onboard computer and microcontroller, of the ROV have been upgraded to allow for the increased computational power that the Inertial Navigation System needs and to allow further upgrading and installation of electrical and electronic systems in the vehicle as they are required. Modifications to the chassis allow quick and simple disassembly of the ROV to repair or replace major components if the need arises.</p>

The Development of a Low Cost Inertial Navigation System for a Remotely Operated Vehicle

<p>Modern robotic vehicles use a large and varied set of sensors to navigate and localise their position in the environment and determine where they should be heading to accomplish their tasks. These sensors include GPS, infrared and ultrasonic range finders, laser scanners and sonar. However, the underwater environment presents challengers for modern robotic vehicles because most sensors that are typically used for navigation and localisation have reduced or no functionality underwater. This thesis details the design and construction of a low cost Inertial Navigation System use on the Victoria University of Wellington's (VUW) Mechatronics group Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The major electronic systems, comprising of the onboard computer and microcontroller, of the ROV have been upgraded to allow for the increased computational power that the Inertial Navigation System needs and to allow further upgrading and installation of electrical and electronic systems in the vehicle as they are required. Modifications to the chassis allow quick and simple disassembly of the ROV to repair or replace major components if the need arises.</p>