关键词： Early childhood robotics education   STEM   Autism spectrum disorder   Non-sequential learning   Tacit engagement  

摘要： This case study focused on the robotics learning process of Mark (a pseudonym), a Latino-American second grader diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Drawing on Polanyi's (Personal knowledge: towards a post-critical philosophy [Kindle version], 1958/2015) notion of "tacit knowing" and "dwelling in tools," we attempted to understand Mark's unique processes and ways of engaging in learning about a Light Sensor by pursuing two research questions: (a) How does Mark, with his unique behavioral and socio-emotional characteristics, engage in the robotics class? (b) What insights can we gain from his inquiry as we develop responsive robotics education? Findings revealed that Mark used a non-sequential inquiry process filled with repetitive free explorations and unexpected expanded inquiries about the Light Sensor. This non-sequential inquiry process highlighted that dwelling with robotic manipulatives was Mark's distinct ways of exploring the Light Sensor. His non-sequential inquiry process emerged from his tacit engagement and expanded to his sophisticated and holistic understanding of the Light Sensor. We discuss implications for a robotics education program that is responsive to young children with diverse needs and characteristics.

关键词： Optimization   Process control   Fuzzy control   Robots   Training   Mathematical model   Evolutionary fuzzy systems (EFS)   multiobjective optimization algorithms   neural fuzzy systems   surrogate-assisted learning   temporal difference (TD) learning  

摘要： This paper proposes a new reinforcement neural fuzzy surrogate (RNFS)-assisted multiobjective evolutionary optimization (RNFS-MEO) algorithm to boost the learning efficiency of data-driven fuzzy controllers (FCs). The RNFS-MEO is applied to evolve a population of FCs in a multiobjective robot wall-following control problem in order to reduce the number of time-consuming control trials and the implementation time of learning. In the RNFS-MEO, the RNFS is incorporated into a typical multiobjective continuous ant colony optimization algorithm to improve its learning efficiency. The RNFS estimates the accumulated multiobjective function values of the FCs in a colony without applying them to control a process, which helps reduce the number of control trials. The RNFS is trained online through structure and parameter learning based on the reinforcement signals from controlling a process. Considering the influence of the current control signals on the future states of a controlled process, the temporal difference technique is used in the RNFS training so that it estimates not only the current but also the future objective function values. The colony of FCs in the RNFS-MEO is repeatedly evolved based on the RNFS estimated values or the objective function values from real evaluations until a colony of successful FCs is found. The RNFS-MEO-based FC learning approach is applied to a robot wall-following control problem. Simulations and experiments on the robot control application are performed to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the RNFS-MEO.

关键词： Wearable robots   Robot kinematics   Symbiosis   Robot sensing synthesis   Exoskeletons   Market research   Market opportunities  

摘要： Reports on the market for wearable robotics and discusses applications for its use. Among the new frontiers of research, wearable robotics is increasingly prominent. Robots and humans have often represented two entities that exist without sharing common spaces (as in the industrial realm where humans and robots are separated by safety fences), but the road taken envisions a future where artificial and biological systems aim at a truly symbiotic interaction. Wearable robotics has been expanding in several areas, embracing the civilian and industrial domains. The adoption of smart spring-loaded mechanisms and new materials comprising polymers, carbon fibers, and textiles, complemented with novel smart sensing- actuation and human-in-the-loop control strategies, is opening a wide scenario where the exoskeletons and exosuits market is expected to grow to US$5.2 billion by 2025.

关键词： Educational robotics   Social constructivism   Pedagogy   Learning outcomes   Management education   Higher education  

摘要： This conceptual paper explores the pedagogical implications of educational robotics (ER) in management education. Premised on Vygotsky's social constructivism, this paper conceptualizes ER as a stimulus for serving dual roles, as a pedagogical means and as a learning outcome, by presenting a number of justifications and viable approaches. This paper suggests that ER presents a number of opportunities for facilitating learner-centred, experiential, and collaborative pedagogical approaches to address different learning needs and knowledge levels. Based on a critical analysis of current literature with examples of ER in different fields, ER could be conceptualized as a tool to be integrated into a holistic pedagogical strategy to equip management students with management knowledge and skills, technical competences, and transferable skills for their benefits of learning facilitation.

摘要： Presents the introductory editorial for this issue of the publication.

关键词： Foraging   Swarm robotics   Stigmergy   Kilobot   Augmented reality   Traffic congestion  

摘要： How groups of cooperative foragers can achieve efficient and robust collective foraging is of interest both to biologists studying social insects and engineers designing swarm robotics systems. Of particular interest are distance-quality trade-offs and swarm-size-dependent foraging strategies. Here, we present a collective foraging system based on virtual pheromones, tested in simulation and in swarms of up to 200 physical robots. Our individual agent controllers are highly simplified, as they are based on binary pheromone sensors. Despite being simple, our individual controllers are able to reproduce classical foraging experiments conducted with more capable real ants that sense pheromone concentration and follow its gradient. One key feature of our controllers is a control parameter which balances the trade-off between distance selectivity and quality selectivity of individual foragers. We construct an optimal foraging theory model that accounts for distance and quality of resources, as well as overcrowding, and predicts a swarm-size-dependent strategy. We test swarms implementing our controllers against our optimality model and find that, for moderate swarm sizes, they can be parameterised to approximate the optimal foraging strategy. This study demonstrates the sufficiency of simple individual agent rules to generate sophisticated collective foraging behaviour.

关键词： Drones   Robots   Robot sensing systems   Signal processing   Three-dimensional displays  

摘要： A new generation of exponentially more intelligent and capable robots is on the way, helped along by talented and imaginative engineers and heavy doses of signal processing. In fields spanning almost every aspect of human professional and personal life, robots are ready to perform tasks faster, better, and more efficiently than their human counterparts. Even major sports organizations are now looking into the possibility of replacing human referees and umpires with robot arbiters.

关键词： Wave driven robot   Dynamic model   Motion simulation   Tense umbilical   Tank test  

摘要： Wave driven robots (WDRs) take ocean energies as the power sources and are often used for long-term monitoring of the marine environment. The unique multi-body joint structure and special operation mechanism of a WDR make the dynamics modeling problem unusual. The dynamic model of a WDR was put forward by taking the interconnection of forces and motions between the float body (float) and the submerged glider (glider) into account. Numerical simulation of longitudinal motion and the comparison between simulation and tank test of reciprocating steering motion of the "Ocean Rambler" WDR were carried out. The dynamic model proposed in this paper was consistent with the motion characteristics of "Ocean Rambler" WDR. Simulations of PID heading control demonstrated the unique control characteristics of the WDR, which proved the significance of the established dynamic model of the WDR in control algorithm design. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

关键词： Programming   Robots   Augmented reality   Teleoperation   Virtual fixtures  

摘要： Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into how augmented reality (AR) technologies are being applied to robotics. Design/methodology/approach - Following an introduction and a brief historical background to AR, this first provides examples of AR applications in robot programming. It then gives examples of recent research into AR-based robot teleoperation. Research activities involving the virtual fixtures (VF) technique are then discussed and finally, brief conclusions are drawn. Findings - Because AR concepts were first investigated in the 1990s, applications involving robotics have been widely studied. Programming with the aid of AR devices, such as the HoloLens headset, can be simplified and AR methods, including the VF technique, can improve the accuracy and speed of teleoperation, manipulation and positional control tasks. They can also provide visual or haptic feedback which leads to more intuitive operation and significantly reduces the cognitive load on the operator. Originality/value - This provides an insight into the growing role of AR in robotics by providing examples of recent research in a range of applications.