• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.1092-1098
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• 2007

A mobile robot localization problem can be classified into following three sub-problems as an observation likelihood model, a motion model and a filtering technique. So far, we have developed the range sensor based, integrated localization scheme, which can be used in human-coexisting real environment such as a science museum and office buildings. From those experiences, we found out that there are several significant issues to be solved. In this paper, we focus on three key issues, and then illustrate our solutions to the presented problems. Three issues are listed as follows: (1) Investigation of design requirements of a desirable observation likelihood model, and performance analysis of our design (2) Performance evaluation of the localization result by computing the matching error (3) The semi-global localization scheme to deal with localization failure due to abrupt wheel slippage In this paper, we show the significance of each concept, developed solutions and the experimental results. Experiments were carried out in a typical modern building environment, and the results clearly show that the proposed solutions are useful to develop practical and integrated localization schemes.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.685-696
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• 2011

An efficient laparoscope manipulator robot was designed to automatically control the position of laparoscope via a passive joint on end-effector position. The end position of the manipulator is controlled to have corresponding velocity defined in the global coordinate space using laparoscopic visual information. Desired spatial position of laparoscope was derived from detected positions of surgical instrument tips, then the clinical viewing plane was moved by visual servoing task. The laparoscope manipulator is advantageous for automatically maintaining clinically important views in the laparoscopic image without any additional operator. A laparoscope is mounted to a holder which is linked to four degree of freedom manipulator via universal joint-type passive rings connection. No change in the design of laparoscope or manipulator is necessary for its application to surgery assistant robot system. Expanded working space and surgical efficiency were accomplished by implementing slant linking structure between laparoscope and manipulator. To ensure reliable positioning accuracy and controllability, the motion of laparoscope in an abdominal space through trocar was inspected using geometrical analysis. A designed laparoscope manipulating robot system can be easily set up and controlled in an operation room since it has a few subsidiary devices such as a laparoscope light source regulator, a control PC, and a power supply.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.391-407
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• 2019

Tracking the location (position) of a surface or underwater marine vehicle is important as part of guidance and navigation. While the Global Positioning System (GPS) works well in an open sea environment but its use is limited whenever testing scaled-down models of such vehicles in the laboratory environment. This paper presents the design, development and implementation of a low energy ultrasonic augmented single beacon-based localization technique suitable for such requirements. The strategy consists of applying Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) to achieve location tracking from basic dynamic distance measurements of the moving model from a fixed beacon, while on-board motion sensor measures heading angle and velocity. Iterative application of the Extended Kalman Filter yields x and y co-ordinate positions of the moving model. Tests performed on a free-running ship model in a wave basin facility of dimension 30 m by 30 m by 3 m water depth validate the proposed model. The test results show quick convergence with an error of few centimeters in the estimated position of the ship model. The proposed technique has application in the real field scenario by replacing the ultrasonic sensor with industrial grade long range acoustic modem. As compared with the existing systems such as LBL, SBL, USBL and others localization techniques, the proposed technique can save deployment cost and also cut the cost on number of acoustic modems involved.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.873-889
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• 2015

In civil engineering, probabilistic seismic risk assessment is used to predict the economic damage to a lifeline system of possible future earthquakes. The results are used to plan mitigation measures and to strengthen the structures where necessary. Instead, after an earthquake public authorities need mathematical models that compute: the damage caused by the earthquake to the individual vulnerable components and links, and the global behavior of the lifeline system. In this study, a framework that was developed and used for prediction purpose is modified to assess the consequences of an earthquake in quasi real-time after such earthquake happened. This is possible because nowadays entire seismic regions are instrumented with tight networks of strong motion stations, which provide and broadcast accurate intensity measure maps of the event to the public within minutes. The framework uses the broadcasted map and calculates the damage to the lifeline system and its component in quasi real-time. The results give the authorities the most likely status of the system. This helps emergency personnel to deal with the damage and to prioritize visual inspections and repairs. A highway transportation network is used as a test bed but any lifeline system can be analyzed.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1991.10b
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• pp.1939-1943
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• 1991

Path planning is an important task for optimal motion of a robot in structured or unstructured environment. The goal of this paper is to plan the shortest collision-free path in 3D, when a robot is navigated to pick up some tools or to repair some parts from various locations. To accomplish the goal of this paper, the Path Coordinator is proposed to have the capabilities of an obstacle avoidance strategy[3] and a traveling salesman problem strategy(TSP)[23]. The obstacle avoidance strategy is to plan the shortest collision-free path between each pair of n locations in 2D or in 3D. The TSP strategy is to compute a minimal system cost of a tour that is defined as a closed path navigating each location exactly once. The TSP strategy can be implemented by the Neural Network. The obstacle avoidance strategy in 2D can be implemented by the VGraph Algorithm. However, the VGraph Algorithm is not useful in 3D, because it can't compute the global optimality in 3D. Thus, the Path Coordinator is proposed to solve this problem, having the capabilities of selecting the optimal edges by the modified Genetic Algorithm[21] and computing the optimal nodes along the optimal edges by the Recursive Compensation Algorithm[5].

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.33-42
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• 2013

This paper describes a multiple vehicle tracking algorithm using an integrated probabilistic data association filter (IPDAF) in urban environments. The algorithm consists of two parts; a pre-processing stage and an IPDA tracker. In the pre-processing stage, measurements are generated by a feature extraction method that manipulates raw data into predefined geometric features of vehicles as lines and boxes. After that, the measurements are divided into two different objects, dynamic and static objects, by using information of ego-vehicle motion. The IPDA tracker estimates not only states of tracks but also existence probability recursively. The existence probability greatly assists reliable initiation and termination of track in cluttered environment. The algorithm was validated by using experimental data which is collected in urban environment by using single laser scanner.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.289-304
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• 1995

Time series of the relative sea levels at the selected tide-gauge stations in the North Pacific and historical aerial photographs in the Hawaiian Islands are analyzed. Long-term rising trend of sea level ranges from +1 to +5 mm/yr at most of the stations, which is primarily due to global warming and tectonic motion of the plates. The annual and interannual fluctuations of sea level result from the thermal expansion/contraction of sea-surface layer due to the annual change of the solar radiation and possibly from a coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomenon associated with an ENSO event, respectively. Sea-level changes in three different time-scales (linear trend. annual oscillation, and interannual fluctuation) and their quantitative contribution to the shoreline changes as a result of long-term cross-shore sediment transport arc hypothesized.

• International Journal of Automotive Technology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.753-760
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• 2007

In this paper, a roll and pitch estimation algorithm using a set of accelerometers and wireless sensor networks(S/N) is presented for use in a passenger vehicle. While an inertial measurement unit(IMU) is generally used for roll/pitch estimation, performance may be degraded in the presence of longitudinal acceleration and yaw motion. To compensate for this performance degradation, a new roll and pitch estimation algorithm is proposed that uses an accelerometer array, global positioning system(GPS) and in-vehicle networks to get information from yaw rate and roll rate sensors. Angular acceleration and roll and pitch approximation are first calculated based on vehicle kinematics. A discrete Kalman filter is then applied to estimate both roll and pitch more precisely by reducing noise from the running engine and from road disturbance. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed algorithm is shown by comparing its performance experimentally with that of an IMU in the framework of an indoor test platform as well as a test vehicle.

• Atmosphere
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.159-169
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• 2008

The characteristics of the typhoon's extratropical transition (ET) over the western North Pacific area were investigated using the cyclone phase space (CPS) diagram method suggested by Hart (2003). The data used in this study were the global data assimilation prediction system (GDAPS) and NCEP data set. The number of typhoons selected were 75 cases during 2002 to 2007, and the three parameters were analyzed : the motion relative thickness asymmetry of the storm (B), the upper thermal wind shear and the lower thermal wind shear. Comparing the best-track data provided by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center /Tokyo, the time of the ET based on CPS was 2~6 hours earlier than the best-track data. And it was shown that the 400- km and 30 kt wind radius of storm for the CPS method were better agreement than the previous suggested radius 500- km.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.154-159
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• 2014

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is widely used to aid the navigation of aerial vehicles. However, the GPS cannot be used indoors, so alternative navigation methods are needed to be developed for micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) flying in GPS-denied environments. In this paper, a real-time three-dimensional (3-D) indoor navigation system and closed-loop control of a quad-rotor aerial vehicle equipped with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a low-cost light detection and ranging (LIDAR) is presented. In order to estimate the pose of the vehicle equipped with the two-dimensional LIDAR, an octree-based grid map and Monte-Carlo Localization (MCL) are adopted. The navigation results using the MCL are then evaluated by making a comparison with a motion capture system. Finally, the results are used for closed-loop control in order to validate its positioning accuracy during procedures for stable hovering and waypoint-following.