University Of Catalonia Research Articles

Mobile robots in industrial environments

It is known that mobile robot applications have a preponderant role in industrial and social environments and, more specifically, helping human beings in carrying out difficult tasks in hostile environments. From teleoperated systems to autonomous robots, there is a wide variety of possibilities requiring a high technological level. Many concepts such as perception, manipulator design, grasping, dynamic control, etc. are involved in the field of industrial mobile robots. In this context, human–robot interaction is one of the most widely studied topics over the last few years together with computer vision techniques and virtual reality tools. In all these technical fields, a common goal is pursued, i.e., robots to come closer to human skills. In this paper, first some important research projects and contributions on mobile robots in industrial environments are overviewed. Second, a proposal for classification of mobile robot architectures is described. Third, results achieved in two specific application areas of mobile robotics are reported. The first is related to the tele-operation of a mobile robot called ROGER by means of a TCP/IP network. The control system of the robot is built up as a distributed system, using distributed object oriented software, CORBA compatible. The second is related to the teleoperation of an underwater robot called GARBI. (Research project co-ordinated with the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Prof. Josep Amat) and financed by the Spanish Government.) The utility of this kind of prototype is demonstrated in tasks such as welding applications in underwater environments, inspection of dammed walls, etc. Finally, an industrial project involving the use of intelligent autonomous robots is presented showing how the experience gained in robotics has been applied.

The Virtual Campus of the UOC, a campus in continuing evolution

This paper starts with a description of the UOC (Open University of Catalonia) and its educational environment. This is done covering the different elements in the teaching-learning process. It also covers the virtual campus idea conceptually, listing its functions and main options. The paper ends specifying one of the main features of the UOC. This is its continuous change to adapt to both: new needs and new changes in the information and communication technologies.

ED-Elas2D: An Educational Program for Computer-aided Training in Structural Analysis Using the Finite Element Method

SUMMARY In this paper, a methodology for computer-aided training of structural problems by the finite element method is presented. The resulting educational program, named ED-Elas2D, has been developed by a group of researchers at the School of Civil Engineering at the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC) in Barcelona, UPC. The program combines the standard concept which appears in the traditional teaching of finite element methods for structural analysis, such as the introduction to the basic structural theory, data definition (pre-processor), description of the analysis procedure (processor) and interpretation of results (post-processor). The program is addressed to both students who enrol in the study on finite element methods and to academic and technical staff in universities and companies who wish to update their knowledge of finite element techniques. The educational program ED-Elas2D works in the Windows system and it is characterized by its interactivity and graphic utilities.

Secure data transmission in extended Ethernet environments

An extended Ethernet LAN is built by connecting several Ethernet segments by means of suitable devices (repeaters, bridges, etc.). A common way to make this interconnection is through a main segment, called the backbone, that joins each of the departments (or, perhaps, building floors) within the owner premises. In this kind of network, data transmission in the backbone is very sensitive to either eavesdropping or manipulation. The implementation of a cryptographic system that protects transmission (providing for both confidentiality and integrity of transmitted data) in this kind of network is addressed. The operation of the proposed system and the specific troubles encountered in implementing it in the local network of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia are presented. An analysis of the functionality of the ciphering bridges is provided and their implementation is studied in detail. Finally, the more relevant results and conclusions are given. >

Engineering Education and Technical Documentation: the Experience of the Civil Engineering School of Barcelona

SUMMARY The objective of this paper is to present the experience of the ETS Ingenieros de Caminos of the Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, in the training of engineering students for a better mastery of specialized information and documentation. The paper defines what the authors’ approach to what an engineer is and what his/her abilities should be. Some aspects related to methodology of access to documentation, as well as the existing facilities at the Technical University of Catalonia are also presented. Finally, the role of computers in engineering education and in handling technical information is discussed