Smart Robot Research Articles

Demystifying the roles of organisational smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics and algorithms capability: A strategy for green human resource management and environmental sustainability

AbstractWith growing climate change concerns, and constant advancements in smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and algorithms (STARA), organisations in emerging economies are becoming more compelled to go green, develop and deploy their STARA capability to boost profits more effectively, and their environmental sustainability (ES). Likewise, with governments increasingly calling for ES, organisations' human resource management (HRM) is further pressured to ensure their programmes aid realisation of environmental objectives without compromising profit maximisation. However, it remains unclear how complementary Green HRM (GHRM) programmes can be supported by organisational STARA capability (OSC) to bolster ES. Accordingly, we investigate how OSC and GHRM programmes predict ES through a time lagged survey design with data from 461 managers of 177 manufacturing organisations in Nigeria. Results indicate that OSC positively predicts all GHRM programmes and ES but dampens the positive relationship between green training, involvement and development (GTID), and ES. Apart from green performance and compensation (GPC), which is a negative predictor, other GHRM programmes positively predict ES. While green recruitment and selection (GRS) and GTID are complementary mediators, GPC plays a competitive mediating role. Policy implications are subsequently discussed.

The role of politeness in human–machine interactions: a systematic literature review and future perspectives

The growing prevalence of interactions between humans and machines, coupled with the rapid development of intelligent and human-like features in technology, necessitates considering the potential implications that an increasingly inter-personal interaction style might have on human behavior. Particularly, since human–human interactions are fundamentally affected by politeness rules, several researchers are investigating if such social norms have some implications also within human–machine interactions. This paper reviews scientific works dealing with politeness issues within human–machine interactions by considering a variety of artificial intelligence systems, such as smart devices, robots, digital assistants, and self-driving cars. This paper aims to analyze scientific results to answer the questions of why technological devices should behave politely toward humans, but above all, why human beings should be polite toward a technological device. As a result of the analysis, this paper wants to outline future research directions for the design of more effective, socially competent, acceptable, and trustworthy intelligent systems.

The Effectiveness of Robot Learning Media to Support Self-Directed Learning during the Covid-19 Pandemic

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on practicum learning is enormous. Restrictions on learning activities make it difficult for students to accept lessons. Learning models in distance learning must be adjusted for more optimal learning. The level of effectiveness of learning methods is a measure of the success of the learning process. This study aims to test the performance and effectiveness of smart robot learning media in supporting Self Directed Learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study used ADDIE development procedures and, for effectiveness tests using, pre-experimental research with a model one group pretest-post-test design. The respondents were 32 students majoring in industrial electronics engineering. The data analysis technique in this study uses quantitative description. The learning media used in this study is in the form of smart robot learning media that has been tested for the material's feasibility level and the media's feasibility. The effectiveness of robot learning media obtained a moderate category predicate with an increase in a score of 6.22 and an acquisition value of 0.55. The results of the effectiveness value show that robot learning media can support independent learning in the Robotic System Control subject.

STARA fight or flight: a two-wave time-lagged study of challenge and hindrance appraisal of STARA awareness on basic psychological needs and individual competitiveness productivity among hospitality employees

ABSTRACT The introduction of smart technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics, and algorithms (STARA) has changed the workforce significantly, with many concerns about its impact on employees. This study elucidates how one’s appraisal of this situation would influence basic psychological needs and individual competitiveness productivity. Using a two-wave time-lagged study, data collected from 224 hospitality employees was examined using the partial least squares method structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Results suggested that individual appraisal towards STARA awareness has differential outcomes towards satisfying basic psychological needs. Among the three basic psychological needs, the needs for relatedness and competency were positively related to individual competitive productivity (ICP). We extend extant studies by incorporating challenge-hindrance framework and self-determination theory (SDT) in the context of the future of work involving STARA. It advances the body of knowledge in understanding a more fundamental issue of how STARA can bring out the best in employees, how STARA shapes employees’ opinions and perspectives of the work they are doing, and what they should do to work alongside STARA.

Development of a Human-Centric System Using an IoT-Based Socially Embedded Robot Partner

Recently, the increasing social isolation of the elderly has caused major social problems, such as loneliness and the progression of dementia. A human-centric system could be a solution to these problems and promote coexistence with humans. Therefore, we aimed to develop a robot system using smart devices, which are essential for the Internet of things (IoT) technology, to provide services, such as information support and monitoring. As the development and application of smart devices become more sophisticated, a hyperconnected society will finally be realized through the development of smart-device-centered robots and their connection to peripheral devices. A hyperconnected society is one in which people, things, and data are connected. Personal mobility is developing and converging with robotic technology to the point where a large mobile robot can board a person. These robot technologies can be connected to wireless networks to provide organically connected services. In the era of Society 5.0, the connection among smart devices, robot systems, and mobility technology is still developing and will be a new paradigm in the development of human-centric systems in the future. Therefore, this study introduces the creation of a human-centric system using a robot system and a mobility system based on the IoT. Finally, we present several examples of the effectiveness of the proposed system and discuss its applicability.

Sustainability of Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Fibers and Their Cellulose Composite

Nowadays, the research community envisions smart materials composed of biodegradable, biocompatible, and sustainable natural polymers, such as cellulose. Most applications of cellulose electroactive materials are developed for energy storage and sensors, while only a few are reported for linear actuators. Therefore, we introduce here cellulose-multiwall carbon nanotube composite (Cell-CNT) fibers compared with pristine multiwall carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers made by dielectrophoresis (DEP) in their linear actuation in an organic electrolyte. Electrochemical measurements (cyclic voltammetry, square wave potential steps, and chronopotentiometry) were performed with electromechanical deformation (EMD) measurements. The linear actuation of Cell-CNT outperformed the main actuation at discharging, having 7.9 kPa stress and 0.062% strain, making this composite more sustainable in smart materials, textiles, or robotics. The CNT fiber depends on scan rates switching from mixed actuation to main expansion at negative charging. The CNT fiber-specific capacitance was much enhanced with 278 F g−1, and had a capacity retention of 96% after 5000 cycles, making this fiber more sustainable in energy storage than the Cell-CNT fiber. The fiber samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET (Braunauer-Emmett-Teller) measurement, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy.

Special Issue on PHM for Human Health & Performance

Predictive Health Management (PHM), originally applied in the Aerospace Industry, tries to predict when what part would fail for what reason(s) in order to make preventive maintenance more efficient and cost-effective. Over the past several years, PHM has been infused increasingly into the human healthcare, precision medicine, and human performance sectors. As such, a diverse and trans-disciplinary group of expert authors presents in this Special Issue on PHM for Human Health & Performance its perspectives on PHM in the context of prognostics and health management for human health and performance, both on Earth and in space, in nine excellent contributions that cover a wide range of current research and application topics related to this emerging field. In particular, these contributions highlight various technological and analytical aspects that in combination contribute and make a reality an autonomous healthcare paradigm. These aspects include, but are not limited to: wearable smart sensors, rehabilitation devices and robotics, image classification, signal processing, data mining, data understanding, machine learning, prediction and diagnosis, electronic health records and databases, and overarching PHM-based healthcare frameworks, etc.

Smart robots and AI: Strategic approaches to data privacy and security law for digital marketers

Smart robots are expected to increasingly be employed by consumers to improve their everyday lives in ways not seen before. Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in smart robots are changing the way smart robots are used and the way related services are consumed. Privacy and security concerns arise, however, with the implementation of innovative technologies for consumers as these collect and use personal data. While the law has not caught up with the technology, this is further complicated by the fact that there are no clear rules in some cases. European Union (EU), UK and US law require ‘appropriate’ or ‘reasonable’ measures to be taken and require the protection of personal data of consumers generally, including marketers of smart robots using AI. This is complicated by the complex nature of AI and the need to track consumers and collect data in order to provide personalised and effective smart robot services. Marketers should employ an interdisciplinary strategy to address these concerns and requirements including employing marketing, technical and legal strategies. This has wider implications for the marketing community as it becomes very difficult to not consider or build in technical and legal considerations.

Nanowires-Based Stretchable Strain Sensor for Wearable Applications

Flexible, stretchable strain sensors are needed to measure physiological parameters or joint angles in wearable systems and robotics, respectively. This letter presents the stretchable strain sensor that is directly fabricated on environment-friendly Ecoflux substrate. The sensor uses stretchable serpentine-shaped Au interconnects and Ag nanowires (NWs) as the strain-sensitive active channel. The sensor structure has been evaluated under stretching conditions that provided insights about the material integrity during device operation. The device characteristics show good linearity under low strain range (<40%), average gauge factor of 5.8, cyclic stability for more than 5000 cycles, and response time of 200 ms. Finally, the sensor was placed on human finger, as a proof of concept, and measurements were taken to understand the bending strain during finger movements and potential application in smart glove and robotics.

Sinkhole Detection in IOT using Elliptic Curve Digital Signature

A variety of smart applications, including homes, transportation, health, and robots in industries, are starting to gain interest due to the fast expansion of Internet of Things (IoT). Smart devices are made up of sensors and actuators that actively involved in monitoring, prediction, security, and information sharing in the IoT ecosystem. These state-of-the-art (SOTA) technologies enable people to monitor and manage their unified milieu in real-time. IoT devices are nevertheless regularly used in hostile situations, where attackers try to grab and penetrate them to take over the entire network. Due to the possibility of selective forwarding, sinkhole, blackhole, and wormhole attacks on IoT networks is a serious security risk. This research offers an effective method using a digital signature to detect and mitigate sinkhole attacks on IoT networks to resolve this problem. By doing a thorough security study of this suggested system, it shows how safe it is and how resistant it is to secure sinkhole attack detection. In this study, elliptic curve digital signature algorithm is used along with the node ranker to detect the sinkhole attack in IoT environment. According to the performance analysis and experimental findings compared to other research, the suggested system offers good detection accuracy and greatly lowers the overhead associated with computing, communication, and storage.

Implementation of Intelligent Navigation System for Shopping using Smart Robots

The development of a path finding algorithm-based intelligent navigation system for a smart robot shopping cart is an exciting project that has the potential to revolutionize the retail industry. With the integration of advanced path finding algorithms, the system will be able to navigate through the store independently, avoiding obstacles and dynamically changing its course to provide customers with a seamless shopping experience. The inclusion of personalized product recommendations and store layout details will help customers find the products they need more quickly and efficiently. Additionally, the system's user interface will provide an interactive shopping experience for customers, making the process more engaging and enjoyable. By automating the shopping cart, the system will also alleviate the workload of store personnel, freeing them up to focus on other important tasks. This could lead to a more efficient and cost-effective retail operation, which may translate into cost savings for both the retailer and the customer. Overall, the successful implementation of the project could significantly enhance the shopping experience for customers, potentially leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. The project could also have broader implications for the retail sector, as other retailers may seek to adopt similar technology to remain competitive.

An analysis of clinical outcomes and essential parameters for designing effective games for upper limb rehabilitation: A scoping review.

Upper limb disabilities are one of the most common disabilities among different groups of people who always need rehabilitation. One of the important methods in helping to carry out efficient rehabilitation processes and exercises is the use of games. The aim of this study is to identify the parameters necessary to design a successful rehabilitation game and the outcomes of using these games in upper limb disabilities rehabilitation. This scoping review was conducted by searching the Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. The eligibility criteria were: any form of game-based upper limb rehabilitation, published in a peer-reviewed journal, published in English, and not include articles that did not focus upper limb disabilities rehabilitation games, review, meta-analysis, or conference papers. Analysis of collected data was done using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage). The search strategy retrieved 537 relevant articles. Finally, after removing irrelevant and repetitive articles, 21 articles were included in this study. Among the six categories of diseases or complications of upper limb disabilities, games were mostly designed for stroke patients. Smart wearables, robots and telerehabilitation were three technologies that were used for rehabilitation along with games. Sports and shooters were the most used games for upper limb disability rehabilitation. Among 99 necessary parameters for designing and implementing a successful rehabilitation game in ten categories. "Increasing the patient's motivation to perform rehabilitation exercises", "Game difficulty levels", "Enjoying and the attractiveness of the game for patients", and "Providing positive or negative audiovisual feedback" were the most important parameters. "Improvement in musculoskeletal performance" and "Increasing users' enjoyment/joy of therapeutic exercises and their motivation to perform these exercises" were the most important positive outcomes, and "Mild discomfort such as nausea and dizziness when using games" was the only negative outcome. The successful design of a game according to the parameters identified in the present study can lead to an increase in the positive outcomes of using games in the rehabilitation of disabilities. The study results indicate that upper limb therapeutic exercise augmented with virtual reality games may be highly effective in enhancing motor rehabilitation outcomes.

INDUSTRY 5.0: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN BANGLADESH

After liberation war, Bangladesh emerged as one of the world’s largest industrial powers, opening its political and economic influence. The 5th Industrial Revolution is the next industrial revolution, and its goal is to harness human experts in cooperation with smart machines and robots, to obtain manufacturing with higher resource efficiency and easier use compared to the 4th Industrial Revolution. It is expected that the focus will be on the human side, sustainability, and the environment. This paper looks at the industrial policy in Bangladesh, emphasizing the continuous coordinating role of the government in various fields and that Bangladesh will be one of the world’s most trends towards investment and a suitable environment to keep pace with the latest industrial transformations. We aim to present a vision of the 5th industry, its applications, the techniques used, and the importance of developing countries in this field. action.

Active Control Experiments on a Smart Robotic Glass with End-Point Control for Parkinson’s Patients

This paper describes a robotic system that uses an actively controlled glass to help patients with tremors. End-point control is proposed for the upper part of a robotic device that becomes active in response to motion changes or vibrations of its holder. The device mechanisms, hardware, software, and sensory system are all integrated, presenting a novel robotic glass design. The control system consists of two degrees of freedom proportional–integral velocity regulators for direct current motors. These regulators are designed, implemented, and tuned to keep the robotic glass stable against changes in its position. In realizing direct current motor control, it is essential to take system constraints into consideration to develop regulators that can handle the nonlinear Coulomb friction and avoid operating in the saturation zone. This is crucial when designing, tuning, and implementing regulators for real-time applications. The computer simulations of the system, which involved developing and running all the control algorithms for real-time applications, are carried out in Matlab/Simulink. The proposed designs are validated by comparing system simulations to real-time physical experiments. The recorded results confirmed the outstanding performance of the proposed experimental platform mechanisms and the accurate control tracking, which provides fast and precise control responses to meet the high requirements of a fast end-point control application.

Integrated intelligent tactile system for a humanoid robot

Tactile perception is the basis of human motion. Achieving artificial tactility is one of the challenges in the fields of smart robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), because touch emulation relies on high-performance pressure sensor arrays, signal reading, information processing, and feedback control. In this paper, we report an integrated intelligent tactile system (IITS) that is integrated with a humanoid robot to achieve human-like artificial tactile perception. The IITS is a closed-loop system that includes a multi-channel tactile sensing e-skin, a data acquisition and information processing chip, and a feedback control. With customized preset values of threshold pressures, the IITS-integrated robot can flexibly grasp various objects. The IITS has potential applications in the design of prosthetic hands, space manipulators, deep-sea exploration robots, and human-robot interactions.

Inside Cover Picture

Chinese Journal of ChemistryVolume 41, Issue 10 p. 1146-1146 Inside Cover PictureFree Access Inside Cover Picture First published: 15 April 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/cjoc.202390102AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Abstract The polymers with accurate structures and excellent performances are always precisely synthesized through the selection of monomer types and structures, the innovation of initiation systems, and the optimization of reaction conditions, which resembles chains with controlled styles built from blocks of different colors by a smart robot. More details are discussed in the article by Ding et al. on page 1235-1248. Volume41, Issue1015 May, 2023Pages 1146-1146 RelatedInformation

‘The Laser’ turns 50

AbstractThe Laser World of Photonics is celebrating its 50th anniversary and, for the first time, it will take place alongside Automatica, the leading exhibition for smart automation and robotics. Exhibition director Anke Odouli offers a glimpse of the innovations, key topics and highlights of the laser event.

Caterpillar-inspired soft crawling robot with distributed programmable thermal actuation.

Many inspirations for soft robotics are from the natural world, such as octopuses, snakes, and caterpillars. Here, we report a caterpillar-inspired, energy-efficient crawling robot with multiple crawling modes, enabled by joule heating of a patterned soft heater consisting of silver nanowire networks in a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE)-based thermal bimorph actuator. With patterned and distributed heaters and programmable heating, different temperature and hence curvature distribution along the body of the robot are achieved, enabling bidirectional locomotion as a result of the friction competition between the front and rear end with the ground. The thermal bimorph behavior is studied to predict and optimize the local curvature of the robot under thermal stimuli. The bidirectional actuation modes with the crawling speeds are investigated. The capability of passing through obstacles with limited spacing are demonstrated. The strategy of distributed and programmable heating and actuation with thermal responsive materials offers unprecedented capabilities for smart and multifunctional soft robots.

A Comparative Study on the Effects of Spray Coating Methods and Substrates on Polyurethane/Carbon Nanofiber Sensors

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) has been widely used as the elastic polymer substrate to be combined with conductive nanomaterials to develop stretchable strain sensors for a variety of applications such as health monitoring, smart robotics, and e-skins. However, little research has been reported on the effects of deposition methods and the form of TPU on their sensing performance. This study intends to design and fabricate a durable, stretchable sensor based on composites of thermoplastic polyurethane and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) by systematically investigating the influences of TPU substrates (i.e., either electrospun nanofibers or solid thin film) and spray coating methods (i.e., either air-spray or electro-spray). It is found that the sensors with electro-sprayed CNFs conductive sensing layers generally show a higher sensitivity, while the influence of the substrate is not significant and there is no clear and consistent trend. The sensor composed of a TPU solid thin film with electro-sprayed CNFs exhibits an optimal performance with a high sensitivity (gauge factor ~28.2) in a strain range of 0-80%, a high stretchability of up to 184%, and excellent durability. The potential application of these sensors in detecting body motions has been demonstrated, including finger and wrist-joint movements, by using a wooden hand.

Entanglement in Smart Hydrogels: Fast Response Time, Anti‐Freezing and Anti‐Drying

AbstractThe common techniques to improve hydrogel's mechanical properties include increasing crosslinking density and forming crosslinked double‐network hydrogel, which may cause some hydrogels to lose their smart functionalities. Inspired by entanglement‐induced strengthening, a simple approach to introducing hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) fibers entangled with different smart hydrogel matrix systems are reported. Different from the conventional methods which hinder the movement of the polymer network, through entanglement with HPC fibers, the composite hydrogel shows both improved Young's modulus and toughness and more importantly improved smart functionalities including response speed, anti‐drying, and anti‐freezing capabilities and cycle stability. This strategy provides a new design rule to fabricate durable and strengthened smart hydrogels which can be used in smart windows, sensors, and soft robots.