• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2005.07d
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• pp.2780-2782
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• 2005

In this paper, we present a mobile robot localization solution by using a Ubiquitous Vision System (UVS). The collective information gathered by multiple cameras that are strategically placed has many advantages. For example, aggregation of information from multiple viewpoints reduces the uncertainty about the robots' positions. We construct UVS as a multi-agent system by regarding each vision sensor as one vision agent (VA). Each VA performs target segmentation by color and motion information as well as visual tracking for multiple objects. Our modified identified contractnet (ICN) protocol is used for communication between VAs to coordinate multitask. This protocol raises scalability and modularity of thesystem because of independent number of VAs and needless calibration. Furthermore, the handover between VAs by using ICN is seamless. Experimental results show the robustness of the solution with respect to a widespread area. The performance in indoor environments shows the feasibility of the proposed solution in real-time.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.785-798
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• 2004

This paper introduces the development of a range sensor based integrated navigation system for a multi-functional indoor service robot, called PSR (Public Service Robot System). The proposed navigation system includes hardware integration for sensors and actuators, the development of crucial navigation algorithms like mapping, localization, and path planning, and planning scheme such as error/fault handling. Major advantages of the proposed system are as follows: 1) A range sensor based generalized navigation system. 2) No need for the modification of environments. 3) Intelligent navigation-related components. 4) Framework supporting the selection of multiple behaviors and error/fault handling schemes. Experimental results are presented in order to show the feasibility of the proposed navigation system. The result of this research has been successfully applied to our three service robots in a variety of task domains including a delivery, a patrol, a guide, and a floor cleaning task.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2016

In this paper, a localization method for multiple robots based on Bayesian inference is proposed when multiple robots adopting multi-RAT (Radio Access Technology) communications exist in cognitive radio networks. Multiple robots are separately defined by primary and secondary users as in conventional mobile communications system. In addition, the heterogeneous spectrum environment is considered in this paper. To improve the performance of localization for multiple robots, a realistic multiple primary user distribution is explained by using the probabilistic graphical model, and then we introduce the Gibbs sampler strategy based on Bayesian inference. In addition, the secondary user selection minimizing the value of GDOP (Geometric Dilution of Precision) is also proposed in order to overcome the limitations of localization accuracy with Gibbs sampling. Via the simulation results, we can show that the proposed localization method based on GDOP enhances the accuracy of localization for multiple robots. Furthermore, it can also be verified from the simulation results that localization performance is significantly improved with increasing number of observation samples when the GDOP is considered.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.60-72
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• 2016

This study proposes a multi-robot system, using multiple autonomous robots, to explore concrete structures and assist in their maintenance by sealing any cracks present in the structure. The proposed system employed a new self-localization method that is essential for autonomous robots, along with a visualization system to recognize the external environment and to detect and explore cracks efficiently. Moreover, more efficient crack search in an unknown environment became possible by arranging the robots into search areas divided depending on the surrounding situations. Operations with increased efficiency were also realized by overcoming the disadvantages of the infeasible logical behavioral model design with only six basic behavioral strategies based on distributed control-one of the methods to control swarm robots. Finally, this study investigated the efficiency of the proposed multi-robot system via basic sensor testing and simulation.

• Journal of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2012

The UGV is one of the special field robot developed for mine detection, surveillance and transportation. To achieve successfully the missions of the UGV, the accurate and reliable navigation data should be provided. This paper presents design and implementation of multi-sensor-based open architecture integrated navigation for localization of UGV. The presented architecture hierarchically classifies the integrated system into four layers and data communications between layers are based on the distributed object oriented middleware. The navigation manager determines the navigation mode with the QoS information of each navigation sensor and the integrated filter performs the navigation mode-based data fusion in the filtering process. Also, all navigation variables including the filter parameters and QoS of navigation data can be modified in GUI and consequently, the user can operate the integrated navigation system more usefully. The conventional GPS/INS integrated system does not guarantee the long-term reliability of localization when GPS solution is not available by signal blockage and intentional jamming in outdoor environment. The presented integration algorithm, however, based on the adaptive federated filter structure with FDI algorithm can integrate effectively the output of multi-sensor such as 3D LADAR, vision, odometer, magnetic compass and zero velocity to enhance the accuracy of localization result in the case that GPS is unavailable. The field test was carried out with the UGV and the test results show that the presented integrated navigation system can provide more robust and accurate localization performance than the conventional GPS/INS integrated system in outdoor environments.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.419-425
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• 2012

This paper presents an approach to implement the behaviors of multi-robots responding to user's input characters. The robots are appropriately displaced to express any input characters. Using our method, any user can easily and friendly control multirobots. The responses of the robots to the user's input are intuitive. We utilize the centroidal Voronoi algorithm and the continuoustime Lloyd algorithm, which have popularly been used for the optimal sensing coverage problems. Collision protection is considered to be applied for real robots. LED sensors are used to identify positions of multi-robots. Our approach is evaluated through experiments with five mobile robots. When a user draw alphabets, the robots are deployed correspondingly. By checking position errors, the feasibility of our method is validated.

• Journal of Platform Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.18-25
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• 2018

This paper describes a real-time human and robot tracking method in Intelligent Space with multi-camera networks. The proposed method detects candidates for humans and robots by using the histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) feature in an image. To classify humans and robots from the candidates in real time, we apply cascaded structure to constructing a strong classifier which consists of many weak classifiers as follows: a linear support vector machine (SVM) and a radial-basis function (RBF) SVM. By using the multiple view geometry, the method estimates the 3D position of humans and robots from their 2D coordinates on image coordinate system, and tracks their positions by using stochastic approach. To test the performance of the method, humans and robots are asked to move according to given rectangular and circular paths. Experimental results show that the proposed method is able to reduce the localization error and be good for a practical application of human-centered services in the Intelligent Space.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.913-923
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• 2014

This paper proposes a global mapping algorithm for multiple robots from an omnidirectional-vision simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) approach based on an object extraction method using Lucas-Kanade optical flow motion detection and images obtained through fisheye lenses mounted on robots. The multi-robot mapping algorithm draws a global map by using map data obtained from all of the individual robots. Global mapping takes a long time to process because it exchanges map data from individual robots while searching all areas. An omnidirectional image sensor has many advantages for object detection and mapping because it can measure all information around a robot simultaneously. The process calculations of the correction algorithm are improved over existing methods by correcting only the object's feature points. The proposed algorithm has two steps: first, a local map is created based on an omnidirectional-vision SLAM approach for individual robots. Second, a global map is generated by merging individual maps from multiple robots. The reliability of the proposed mapping algorithm is verified through a comparison of maps based on the proposed algorithm and real maps.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Computer Information Conference
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• 2009.01a
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• pp.125-128
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• 2009

모바일 로봇이 자기 역할을 수행하기 위해서는 자기위치인식 기술이 반드시 필요하다. 이에 본 논문에서는 기존 초음파 센서만을 이용한 위치인식 기술의 난제와 카메라 즉, 영상처리만을 이용한 위치 인식 기술의 난제를 두 가지 기술의 융합으로 쉽게 해결할 수 있도록 한다.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.2033-2038
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• 2003

This paper describes an integrated navigation strategy for the autonomous service robot PSR. The PSR is under development at the KIST for service tasks in indoor public environments. The PSR is a multi-functional mobile-manipulator typed agent, which works in daily life. Major advantages of proposed navigation are as follows: 1) Structured control architecture for a systematic integration of various software modules. A Petri net based configuration design enables stable control flow of a robot. 2) A range sensor based generalized scheme of navigation. Any range sensor can be selectively applied using the proposed navigation scheme. 3) No need for modification of environments. (No use of artificial landmarks.) 4) Hybrid approaches combining reactive behavior as well as deliberative planner, and local grid maps as well as global topological maps. A presented experimental result shows that the proposed navigation scheme is useful for mobile service robot in practical applications.