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Full-Text Articles in Robotics
A Monte Carlo Framework For Incremental Improvement Of Simulation Fidelity, Damian M. Lyons, James Finocchiaro, Misha Novitzky, Chris Korpela
A Monte Carlo Framework For Incremental Improvement Of Simulation Fidelity, Damian M. Lyons, James Finocchiaro, Misha Novitzky, Chris Korpela
Faculty Publications
Robot software developed in simulation often does not be- have as expected when deployed because the simulation does not sufficiently represent reality - this is sometimes called the `reality gap' problem. We propose a novel algorithm to address the reality gap by injecting real-world experience into the simulation. It is assumed that the robot program (control policy) is developed using simulation, but subsequently deployed on a real system, and that the program includes a performance objective monitor procedure with scalar output. The proposed approach collects simulation and real world observations and builds conditional probability functions. These are used to generate …
A Monte Carlo Framework For Incremental Improvement Of Simulation Fidelity, Damian Lyons, James Finocchiaro, Misha Novitsky, Chris Korpela
A Monte Carlo Framework For Incremental Improvement Of Simulation Fidelity, Damian Lyons, James Finocchiaro, Misha Novitsky, Chris Korpela
Faculty Publications
Robot software developed in simulation often does not be- have as expected when deployed because the simulation does not sufficiently represent reality - this is sometimes called the `reality gap' problem. We propose a novel algorithm to address the reality gap by injecting real-world experience into the simulation. It is assumed that the robot program (control policy) is developed using simulation, but subsequently deployed on a real system, and that the program includes a performance objective monitor procedure with scalar output. The proposed approach collects simulation and real world observations and builds conditional probability functions. These are used to generate …
Visual Homing With A Pan-Tilt Based Stereo Camera, Paramesh Nirmal, Damian M. Lyons
Visual Homing With A Pan-Tilt Based Stereo Camera, Paramesh Nirmal, Damian M. Lyons
Faculty Publications
Visual homing is a navigation method based on comparing a stored image of the goal location and the current image (current view) to determine how to navigate to the goal location. It is theorized that insects, such as ants and bees, employ visual homing methods to return to their nest [1]. Visual homing has been applied to autonomous robot platforms using two main approaches: holistic and feature-based. Both methods aim at determining distance and direction to the goal location. Navigational algorithms using Scale Invariant Feature Transforms (SIFT) have gained great popularity in the recent years due to the robustness of …
Designing Autonomous Robot Missions With Performance Guarantees, Damian M. Lyons, Ronald Arkin, Prem Nirmal, Shu Jiang
Designing Autonomous Robot Missions With Performance Guarantees, Damian M. Lyons, Ronald Arkin, Prem Nirmal, Shu Jiang
Faculty Publications
This paper describes the need and methods required to construct an integrated software verification and mission specification system for use in robotic missions intended for counter-weapons of mass destruction (c-WMD) operations, as part of a 3-year effort for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. The overall system architecture is described. The principal tool for verification is a process algebra, PARS, based on port automata theory. PARS is introduced, emphasizing its ability to represent probabilistic programs and uncertain and dynamic environments, followed by the analysis of mission properties for an example robotic mission.
A Fuzzy Logic Controller For Autonomous Wheeled Vehicles, Mohamed Trabia, Linda Z. Shi, Neil Eugene Hodge
A Fuzzy Logic Controller For Autonomous Wheeled Vehicles, Mohamed Trabia, Linda Z. Shi, Neil Eugene Hodge
Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research
Autonomous vehicles have potential applications in many fields, such as replacing humans in hazardous environments, conducting military missions, and performing routine tasks for industry. Driving ground vehicles is an area where human performance has proven to be reliable. Drivers typically respond quickly to sudden changes in their environment. While other control techniques may be used to control a vehicle, fuzzy logic has certain advantages in this area; one of them is its ability to incorporate human knowledge and experience, via language, into relationships among the given quantities. Fuzzy logic controllers for autonomous vehicles have been successfully applied to address various …
Rotational Legged Locomotion, Damian M. Lyons, Kiran Pamnany
Rotational Legged Locomotion, Damian M. Lyons, Kiran Pamnany
Faculty Publications
In this paper we presented a novel, agile robot mechanism, which we call a rotopod, which combines aspects of wheeled and legged locomotion. A general description of how a tripedal rotopod can be made to step, rotating the mechanism about one leg, and moving the center of the mechanism, is presented. The concept of a gait for this mechanism is defined, and is used to show how extremely agile the mechanism can be. Specific resistance is employed as a way to explore the relative efficiency of this mechanism versus a wheel. Finally, we describe our first prototype rotopod and report …
Robust Course-Boundary Extraction Algorithms For Autonomous Vehicles, Chris Roman, Charles Reinholtz
Robust Course-Boundary Extraction Algorithms For Autonomous Vehicles, Chris Roman, Charles Reinholtz
Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications
Practical autonomous robotic vehicles require dependable methods for accurately identifying course or roadway boundaries. The authors have developed a method to reliably extract the boundary line using simple dynamic thresholding, noise filtering, and blob removal. This article describes their efforts to apply this procedure in developing an autonomous vehicle.