Reactive Planning Simulation in Dynamic Environments with VirtualRobot

Sapena, Óscar; Onaindía, Eva; Mellado, Martin; Correcher, Carlos; Vendrell, Eduardo

doi:10.1007/978-3-540-24677-0_72

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…A VRS user interface aims to reduce the time needed for the learning phase, even for new users , supporting educational, research and industrial uses. The capabilities of the VRS make it possible to simulate robots working in dynamic environments (Sapena, Onaindia, Mellado, Correcher, & Vendrell, 2004).…”

Section: Engineering -Roboticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual laboratories for education in science, technology, and engineering: A review

Potkonjak

Gardner

Callaghan

et al. 2016

Computers & Education

715

383

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Abstract.Within education, concepts such as distance learning, and open universities, are now becoming more widely used for teaching and learning. However, due to the nature of the subject domain, the teaching of Science, Technology, and Engineering are still relatively behind when using new technological approaches (particularly for online distance learning). The reason for this discrepancy lies in the fact that these fields often require laboratory exercises to provide effective skill acquisition and hands-on experience. Often it is difficult to make these laboratories accessible for online access. Either the real lab needs to be enabled for remote access or it needs to be replicated as a fully software-based virtual lab. We argue for the latter concept since it offers some advantages over remotely controlled real labs, which will be elaborated further in this paper.We are now seeing new emerging technologies that can overcome some of the potential difficulties in this area. These include: computer graphics, augmented reality, computational dynamics, and virtual worlds. This paper summarizes the state of the art in virtual laboratories and virtual worlds in the fields of science, technology, and engineering. The main research activity in these fields is discussed but special emphasis is put on the field of robotics due to the maturity of this area within the virtual-education community. This is not a coincidence; starting from its widely multidisciplinary character, robotics is a perfect example where all the other fields of engineering and physics can contribute. Thus, the use of virtual labs for other scientific and non-robotic engineering uses can be seen to share many of the same learning processes. This can include supporting the introduction of new concepts as part of learning about science and technology, and introducing more general engineering knowledge, through to supporting more constructive (and collaborative) education and training activities in a more complex engineering topic such as robotics. The objective of this paper is to outline this problem space in more detail and to create a valuable source of information that can help to define the starting position for future research.Key words: virtual laboratory, dynamics based virtual reality, virtual world, distance learning for engineering/STEM education, immersive education IntroductionRecently we have seen a number of new ideas appearing in the literature concerned with the future of education and in particular for the teaching of Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE 1 ). Some of these notions are novel while others are a re-imagining of existing ideas but in a new context. Technological examples most relevant for this study are: distance learning, elearning, virtual laboratories, virtual reality and virtual worlds, avatars, dynamics-based virtual systems, and the overall new concept of immersive education that integrates many of these ideas together. Many highly reputable institutions 2 have gathered around this challenging concept, withi...

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Section: Engineering -Roboticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual laboratories for education in science, technology, and engineering: A review

Potkonjak

Gardner

Callaghan

et al. 2016

Computers & Education

715

383

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The executor is in charge of executing the high-level actions provided by the planner, translating them into lowlevel operations and monitoring the execution and the relevant facts in the environment [41]. The executor is, therefore, a domain-dependent module which must be adapted to the specific characteristics of each application.…”

Section: The System Architecturementioning

confidence: 99%

Planning in highly dynamic environments: an anytime approach for planning under time constraints

Sapena

Onaindía

2007

Appl Intell

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In this paper, we present a novel and domainindependent planner aimed at working in highly dynamic environments with time constraints. The planner follows the anytime principles: a first solution can be quickly computed and the quality of the final plan is improved as long as time is available. This way, the planner can provide either fast reactions or very good quality plans depending on the demands of the environment. As an on-line planner, it also offers important advantages: our planner allows the plan to start its execution before it is totally generated, unexpected events are efficiently tackled during execution, and sensing actions allow the acquisition of required information in partially observable domains. The planning algorithm is based on problem decomposition and relaxation techniques. The traditional relaxed planning graph has been adapted to this on-line framework by considering information about sensing actions and action costs. Results also show that our planner is competitive with other top-performing classical planners.

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“…Robots can be attached one-to-one, or many-to-one, in order to form more complex and redundant devices, such as walking robots. These capabilities make it possible to simulate robots working in dynamic environments (Sapena et al, 2004).…”

Section: Metj 71mentioning

confidence: 99%

Distance learning and skill acquisition in engineering sciences

Potkonjak

Jovanović

Holland

et al. 2013

Multicultural Education &Amp; Technology Journal

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Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to present an improved concept of software-based laboratory exercises, namely a Virtual Laboratory for Engineering Sciences (VLES). Design/methodology/approach -The implementation of distance learning and e-learning in engineering sciences (such as Mechanical and Electrical Engineering) is still far behind current practice in narrative disciplines (Economics, Management, etc.). This is because education in technical disciplines requires laboratory exercises, providing skill-acquisition and hands-on experience. In order to overcome this problem for distance-learning developers and practitioners, a new modular and hierarchically organized approach is needed. Findings -The concept involves simulation models to emulate system dynamics, full virtual reality to provide visualization, advanced social-clubbing to ensure proper communication, and an AI tutor to supervise the lab work. Its modularity and hierarchical organization offer the possibility of applying the concept to practically any engineering field: a higher level provides the general framework -it considers lab workplaces as objects regardless of the technical field they come from, and provides communication and supervision -while the lower level deals with particular workplaces. An improved student's motivation is expected. Originality/value -The proposed concept aims rather high, thus making the work truly challenging. With the current level of information and communication technologies, some of the required features can only be achieved with difficulty; however, the rapid growth of the relevant technologies supports the eventual practicality of the concept. This paper is not intended to present any final results, solutions, or experience. The idea is to promote the concept, identify problems, propose guidelines, and possibly open a discussion.

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Reactive Planning Simulation in Dynamic Environments with VirtualRobot

Cited by 5 publications

References 4 publications

Virtual laboratories for education in science, technology, and engineering: A review

Virtual laboratories for education in science, technology, and engineering: A review

Planning in highly dynamic environments: an anytime approach for planning under time constraints

Distance learning and skill acquisition in engineering sciences

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