Pose Generation for Social Robots in Conversational Group Formations

We study two approaches for predicting an appropriate pose for a robot to take part in group formations typical of social human conversations subject to the physical layout of the surrounding environment. One method is model-based and explicitly encodes key geometric aspects of conversational formations. The other method is data-driven. It implicitly models key properties of spatial arrangements using graph neural networks and an adversarial training regimen. We evaluate the proposed approaches through quantitative metrics designed for this problem domain and via a human experiment. Our results suggest that the proposed methods are effective at reasoning about the environment layout and conversational group formations. They can also be used repeatedly to simulate conversational spatial arrangements despite being designed to output a single pose at a time. However, the methods showed different strengths. For example, the geometric approach was more successful at avoiding poses generated in nonfree areas of the environment, but the data-driven method was better at capturing the variability of conversational spatial formations. We discuss ways to address open challenges for the pose generation problem and other interesting avenues for future work.

An Approach Based on VR to Design Industrial Human-Robot Collaborative Workstations

This paper presents an integrated approach for the design of human–robot collaborative workstations in industrial shop floors. In particular, the paper presents how to use virtual reality (VR) technologies to support designers in the creation of interactive workstation prototypes and in early validation of design outcomes. VR allows designers to consider and evaluate in advance the overall user experience, adopting a user-centered perspective. The proposed approach relies on two levels: the first allows designers to have an automatic generation and organization of the workstation physical layout in VR, starting from a conceptual description of its functionalities and required tools; the second aims at supporting designers during the design of Human–Machine Interfaces (HMIs) by interaction mapping, HMI prototyping and testing in VR. The proposed approach has been applied on two realistic industrial case studies related to the design of an intensive warehouse and a collaborative assembly workstation for automotive industry, respectively. The two case studies demonstrate how the approach is suited for early prototyping of complex environments and human-machine interactions by taking into account the user experience from the early phases of design.

ViTaL: Verifying Trojan-Free Physical Layouts through Hardware Reverse Engineering

The semiconductor industry is heavily relying on outsourcing of design, fabrication, and testing to third parties. The threat of possibly malicious actors in this ramified supply-chain poses a risk for the integrity of integrated circuits (ICs) and hardware Trojans (HTs) are a heavily discussed topic in academia and the industry. A variety of pre- and post-silicon HT prevention and detection techniques has been suggested in prior works. Hardware reverse engineering has the potential to detect potential modification in physical layouts. Yet, there is no model to qualitatively and quantitatively rate the complex and expensive reverse engineering (RE) process addressing its inherent process aberrations and consequently provide a tool for layout verification. The ViTaL framework introduces a statistical validation technique, based on physical layout verification through RE and considers all potential sources of errors. The golden-model based framework is technology-agnostic, scaleable, and user input is optional. For the first time, results of fine pitch metallization layers of a CMOS 40nm process node IC are presented quantitatively and the limitations and possibilities are discussed.<br>

ViTaL: Verifying Trojan-Free Physical Layouts through Hardware Reverse Engineering

The semiconductor industry is heavily relying on outsourcing of design, fabrication, and testing to third parties. The threat of possibly malicious actors in this ramified supply-chain poses a risk for the integrity of integrated circuits (ICs) and hardware Trojans (HTs) are a heavily discussed topic in academia and the industry. A variety of pre- and post-silicon HT prevention and detection techniques has been suggested in prior works. Hardware reverse engineering has the potential to detect potential modification in physical layouts. Yet, there is no model to qualitatively and quantitatively rate the complex and expensive reverse engineering (RE) process addressing its inherent process aberrations and consequently provide a tool for layout verification. The ViTaL framework introduces a statistical validation technique, based on physical layout verification through RE and considers all potential sources of errors. The golden-model based framework is technology-agnostic, scaleable, and user input is optional. For the first time, results of fine pitch metallization layers of a CMOS 40nm process node IC are presented quantitatively and the limitations and possibilities are discussed.<br>

Exhibition Development in Auckland Libraries

<p>Throughout New Zealand’s public library sector, librarians, particularly those responsible for special collections, maintain and create exhibitions. They aim to reflect the depth and richness of our history, cultural heritage and society. Due to the immeasurable value of cultural heritage, it needs to be presented effectively, not only for aesthetic and preservation purposes, but also for the betterment of society. Therefore the objective of this study is to explore how exhibition principles are being applied to exhibition development and presentation in Auckland Libraries. This study will not only focus on the principles behind physical layout of the exhibitions, and selection of objects on display, it will also attempt to place exhibition design into a wider context. It will do this by exploring how library exhibitions reflect public policy, and how exhibition designers perceive their social and cultural responsibilities as representatives of public libraries. Herein lies the value of the proposed study; it will allow better informed practices by exploring the use of exhibition design principles, and the application of public policy in public.</p>

Exhibition Development in Auckland Libraries

<p>Throughout New Zealand’s public library sector, librarians, particularly those responsible for special collections, maintain and create exhibitions. They aim to reflect the depth and richness of our history, cultural heritage and society. Due to the immeasurable value of cultural heritage, it needs to be presented effectively, not only for aesthetic and preservation purposes, but also for the betterment of society. Therefore the objective of this study is to explore how exhibition principles are being applied to exhibition development and presentation in Auckland Libraries. This study will not only focus on the principles behind physical layout of the exhibitions, and selection of objects on display, it will also attempt to place exhibition design into a wider context. It will do this by exploring how library exhibitions reflect public policy, and how exhibition designers perceive their social and cultural responsibilities as representatives of public libraries. Herein lies the value of the proposed study; it will allow better informed practices by exploring the use of exhibition design principles, and the application of public policy in public.</p>

How risky is it to visit a supermarket during the pandemic?

We performed large-scale numerical simulations using a composite model to investigate the infection spread in a supermarket during a pandemic. The model is composed of the social force, purchasing strategy and infection transmission models. Specifically, we quantified the infection risk for customers while in a supermarket that depended on the number of customers, the purchase strategies and the physical layout of the supermarket. The ratio of new infections compared to sales efficiency (earned profit for customer purchases) was computed as a factor of customer density and social distance. Our results indicate that the social distance between customers is the primary factor influencing infection rate. Supermarket layout and purchasing strategy do not impact social distance and hence the spread of infection. Moreover, we found only a weak dependence of sales efficiency and customer density. We believe that our study will help to establish scientifically-based safety rules that will reduce the social price of supermarket business.

Influences of Physical Layout and Space on Patient Safety and Communication in Ambulatory Oncology Practices: A Multisite, Mixed Method Investigation

Objective: To examine how physical layouts and space in ambulatory oncology practices influence patient safety and clinician communication. Background: Ambulatory oncology practices face unique challenges in delivering safe care. With increasing patient volumes, these settings require additional attention to support patient safety and efficient clinical work processes. Methods: This study used a mixed methods design with sequential data collection. Eight ambulatory oncology practices (of 29 participating practices) participated in both the quantitative and qualitative phases. In surveys, clinicians ( n = 56) reported on safety organizing and communication satisfaction measures. Qualitative data included observations and semistructured interviews ( n = 46) with insight into how physical layout influenced care delivery. Quantitative analysis of survey data included descriptive and correlational statistics. Qualitative analysis used inductive and thematic content analysis. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated using side-by-side comparison tables for thematic analysis. Results: Safety organizing performance was positively correlated with clinician communication satisfaction, r(54 df) = .414, p = .002. Qualitative analyses affirmed that the physical layout affected communication around chemotherapy infusion and ultimately patient safety. After data integration, safety organizing and clinician communication were represented by two themes: visibility of patients during infusion and the proximity of clinicians in the infusion center to clinicians in the clinic where providers see patients. Conclusions: Physical layouts of ambulatory oncology practices are an important factor to promote patient safety. Our findings inform efforts to construct new and modify existing infusion centers to enhance patient safety and clinician communication.

Creating Visually Appropriate Classroom Environments for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder

The likelihood of teaching a student with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has steadily increased over the past two decades. However, the practical information about working with students with ASD has not increased at a similar rate. Teachers may therefore be unaware of simple modifications they can make to their classrooms to meet the needs of students with ASD. This article is based on a review of empirical studies about environmental factors that influence the way individuals with ASD attend to and process information. Findings from these studies indicate that individuals with ASD rely on vision to gather information more than any other sense. Based on these findings, the authors outline simple physical adjustments teachers can make to the visual displays, physical layout, and lighting in the classroom.