Parallel Architectures and Parallel Algorithms for Integrated Vision Systems
Parallel Architectures and Parallel Algorithms for Integrated Vision Systems

Author: Alok N. Choudary

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 170

ISBN-13: 1461315395

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Computer vision is one of the most complex and computationally intensive problem. Like any other computationally intensive problems, parallel pro cessing has been suggested as an approach to solving the problems in com puter vision. Computer vision employs algorithms from a wide range of areas such as image and signal processing, advanced mathematics, graph theory, databases and artificial intelligence. Hence, not only are the comput ing requirements for solving vision problems tremendous but they also demand computers that are efficient to solve problems exhibiting vastly dif ferent characteristics. With recent advances in VLSI design technology, Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) massively parallel computers have been proposed and built. However, such architectures have been shown to be useful for solving a very limited subset of the problems in vision. Specifically, algorithms from low level vision that involve computations closely mimicking the architec ture and require simple control and computations are suitable for massively parallel SIMD computers. An Integrated Vision System (IVS) involves com putations from low to high level vision to be executed in a systematic fashion and repeatedly. The interaction between computations and information dependent nature of the computations suggests that architectural require ments for computer vision systems can not be satisfied by massively parallel SIMD computers.

Intelligent Robotic Systems for Space Exploration
Intelligent Robotic Systems for Space Exploration

Author: Alan A. Desrochers

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 361

ISBN-13: 1461536340

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Over the last twenty years, automation and robotics have played an increasingly important role in a variety of application domains including manufacturing, hazardous environments, defense, and service industries. Space is a unique environment where power, communications, atmospheric, gravitational, and sensing conditions impose harsh constraints on the ability of both man and machines to function productively. In this environment, intelligent automation and robotics are essential complements to the capabilities of humans. In the development of the United States Space Program, robotic manipulation systems have increased in importance as the complexity of space missions has grown. Future missions will require the construction, maintenance, and repair of large structures, such as the space station. This volume presents the effords of several groups that are working on robotic solutions to this problem. Much of the work in this book is related to assembly in space, and especially in-orbit assembly of large truss structures. Many of these so-called truss structures will be assembled in orbit. It is expected that robot manipulators will be used exclusively, or at least provide partial assistance to humans. Intelligent Robotic Systems for Space Exploration provides detailed algorithms and analysis for assembly of truss structure in space. It reports on actual implementations to date done at NASA's Langley Research Center. The Johnson Space Center, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Other implementations and research done at Rensselaer are also reported. Analysis of robot control problems that are unique to a zero-gravity environment are presented.

Intelligent Robotic Systems: Theory, Design and Applications
Intelligent Robotic Systems: Theory, Design and Applications

Author: Kimon P. Valavanis

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 265

ISBN-13: 1461535689

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Since the late 1960s, there has been a revolution in robots and industrial automation, from the design of robots with no computing or sensorycapabilities (first-generation), to the design of robots with limited computational power and feedback capabilities (second-generation), and the design of intelligent robots (third-generation), which possess diverse sensing and decision making capabilities. The development of the theory of intelligent machines has been developed in parallel to the advances in robot design. This theory is the natural outcome of research and development in classical control (1950s), adaptive and learning control (1960s), self-organizing control (1970s) and intelligent control systems (1980s). The theory of intelligent machines involves utilization and integration of concepts and ideas from the diverse disciplines of science, engineering and mathematics, and fields like artificial intelligence, system theory and operations research. The main focus and motivation is to bridge the gap between diverse disciplines involved and bring under a common cover several generic methodologies pertaining to what has been defined as machine intelligence. Intelligent robotic systems are a specific application of intelligent machines. They are complex computer controlled robotic systems equipped with a diverse set of visual and non visual sensors and possess decision making and problem solving capabilities within their domain of operation. Their modeling and control is accomplished via analytical and heuristic methodologies and techniques pertaining to generalized system theory and artificial intelligence. Intelligent Robotic Systems: Theory, Design and Applications, presents and justifies the fundamental concepts and ideas associated with the modeling and analysis of intelligent robotic systems. Appropriate for researchers and engineers in the general area of robotics and automation, Intelligent Robotic Systems is both a solid reference as well as a text for a graduate level course in intelligent robotics/machines.

Computer-Aided Mechanical Assembly Planning
Computer-Aided Mechanical Assembly Planning

Author: Luis S. Homem de Mello

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 448

ISBN-13: 1461540380

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Some twenty years have elapsed since the first attempts at planning were made by researchers in artificial intelligence. These early programs concentrated on the development of plans for the solution of puzzles or toy problems, like the rearrangement of stacks of blocks. These early programs provided the foundation for the work described in this book, the automatic generation of plans for industrial assembly. As one reads about the complex and sophisticated planners in the current gen eration, it is important to keep in mind that they are addressing real-world problems. Although these systems may become the "toy" systems of tomor row, they are providing a solid foundation for future, more general and more advanced planning tools. As demonstrated by the papers in this book, the field of computer-aided mechanical assembly planning is maturing. It now may include: • geometric descriptions of parts extracted from or compatible with CAD programs; • constraints related to part interference and the use of tools; • fixtures and jigs required for the assembly; • the nature of connectors, matings and other relations between parts; • number of turnovers required during the assembly; • handling and gripping requirements for various parts; • automatic identification of subassemblies. This is not an exhaustive list, but it serves to illustrate the complexity of some of the issues which are discussed in this book. Such issues must be considered in the design of the modern planners, as they produce desirable assembly sequences and precedence relations for assembly.

A General Model of Legged Locomotion on Natural Terrain
A General Model of Legged Locomotion on Natural Terrain

Author: David J. Manko

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 121

ISBN-13: 1461535743

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Dynamic modeling is the fundamental building block for mechanism analysis, design, control and performance evaluation. One class of mechanism, legged machines, have multiple closed-chains established through intermittent ground contacts. Further, walking on natural terrain introduces nonlinear system compliance in the forms of foot sinkage and slippage. Closed-chains constrain the possible motions of a mechanism while compliances affect the redistribution of forces throughout the system. A General Model of Legged Locomotion on Natural Terrain develops a dynamic mechanism model that characterizes indeterminate interactions of a closed-chain robot with its environment. The approach is applicable to any closed-chain mechanism with sufficient contact compliance, although legged locomotion on natural terrain is chosen to illustrate the methodology. The modeling and solution procedures are general to all walking machine configurations, including bipeds, quadrupeds, beam-walkers and hopping machines. This work develops a functional model of legged locomotion that incorporates, for the first time, non-conservative foot-soil interactions in a nonlinear dynamic formulation. The model was applied to a prototype walking machine, and simulations generated significant insights into walking machine performance on natural terrain. The simulations are original and essential contributions to the design, evaluation and control of these complex robot systems. While posed in the context of walking machines, the approach has wider applicability to rolling locomotors, cooperating manipulators, multi-fingered hands, and prehensile agents.

Measurement of Image Velocity
Measurement of Image Velocity

Author: David J. Fleet

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 205

ISBN-13: 1461536480

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Measurement of Image Velocity presents a computational framework for computing motion information from sequences of images. Its specific goal is the measurement of image velocity (or optical flow), the projection of 3-D object motion onto the 2-D image plane. The formulation of the problem emphasizes the geometric and photometric properties of image formation, and the occurrence of multiple image velocities caused, for example, by specular reflections, shadows, or transparency. The method proposed for measuring image velocity is based on the phase behavior in the output of velocity-tuned filters. Extensive experimental work is used to show that phase can be a reliable source of pure image translation, small geometric deformation, smooth contrast variations, and multiple local velocities. Extensive theorectical analysis is used to explain the robustness of phase with respect to deviations from image translation, and to detect situations in which phase becomes unstable. The results indicate that optical flow may be extracted reliably for computing egomotion and structure from motion. The monograph also contains a review of other techniques and frequency analysis applied to image sequences, and it discusses the closely related topics of zero-crossing tracking, gradient-based methods, and the measurement of binocular disparity. The work is relevant to those studying machine vision and visual perception.

Directed Sonar Sensing for Mobile Robot Navigation
Directed Sonar Sensing for Mobile Robot Navigation

Author: John J. Leonard

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 199

ISBN-13: 1461536529

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This monograph is a revised version of the D.Phil. thesis of the first author, submitted in October 1990 to the University of Oxford. This work investigates the problem of mobile robot navigation using sonar. We view model-based navigation as a process of tracking naturally occurring environment features, which we refer to as "targets". Targets that have been predicted from the environment map are tracked to provide that are observed, but not predicted, vehicle position estimates. Targets represent unknown environment features or obstacles, and cause new tracks to be initiated, classified, and ultimately integrated into the map. Chapter 1 presents a brief definition of the problem and a discussion of the basic research issues involved. No attempt is made to survey ex haustively the mobile robot navigation literature-the reader is strongly encouraged to consult other sources. The recent collection edited by Cox and Wilfong [34] is an excellent starting point, as it contains many of the standard works of the field. Also, we assume familiarity with the Kalman filter. There are many well-known texts on the subject; our notation derives from Bar-Shalom and Fortmann [7]. Chapter 2 provides a detailed sonar sensor model. A good sensor model of our approach to navigation, and is used both for is a crucial component predicting expected observations and classifying unexpected observations.

Perturbation Techniques for Flexible Manipulators
Perturbation Techniques for Flexible Manipulators

Author: Anthony R. Fraser

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 284

ISBN-13: 1461539749

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A manipulator, or 'robot', consists of a series of bodies (links) connected by joints to form a spatial mechanism. Usually the links are connected serially to form an open chain. The joints are either revolute (rotary) or prismatic (telescopic), various combinations of the two giving a wide va riety of possible configurations. Motive power is provided by pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical actuation of the joints. The robot arm is distinguished from other active spatial mechanisms by its reprogrammability. Therefore, the controller is integral to any de scription of the arm. In contrast with many other controlled processes (e. g. batch reactors), it is possible to model the dynamics of a ma nipulator very accurately. Unfortunately, for practical arm designs, the resulting models are complex and a considerable amount of research ef fort has gone into improving their numerical efficiency with a view to real time solution [32,41,51,61,77,87,91]. In recent years, improvements in electric motor technology coupled with new designs, such as direct-drive arms, have led to a rapid increase in the speed and load-carrying capabilities of manipulators. However, this has meant that the flexibility of the nominally rigid links has become increasingly significant. Present generation manipulators are limited to a load-carrying capacity of typically 5-10% of their own weight by the requirement of rigidity. For example, the Cincinatti-Milicron T3R3 robot weighs more than 1800 kg but has a maximum payload capacity of 23 kg.