J. Robotics Mechatronics最新文献

{"title":"Investigation of the Development of Robots for Training Dialect Communication Listening in Nursing Care Situations: A Case Study of Mikawa Dialects","authors":"T. Ozeki, T. Mouri, Hayate Fukui","doi":"10.20965/jrm.2023.p0844","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20965/jrm.2023.p0844","url":null,"abstract":"This study aims to provide listening training and comprehension support using a communication robot for young and overseas staffs who have problems understanding dialects in medical and nursing care settings. In this study, we conducted an impression survey of university students in a region where dialects are used using a robot and a person who speaks standard Japanese and a dialect (Mikawa dialect). Moreover, a nationwide impression survey using only a robot was also performed. In the dialect-using region, the robot speaking the dialect gave the impression of being cute but difficult to understand, whereas no difference in impression was observed in the nationwide survey. However, the analysis of the free text showed that the dialect and motion of the robot gave a positive impression. Based on the factors contributing to the positive impression of the dialect, we aim to construct a training program that motivates young and foreign personnel.","PeriodicalId":178614,"journal":{"name":"J. Robotics Mechatronics","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121470677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of an Ankle Assistive Robot with Instantly Gait-Adaptive Method","authors":"Mingyang Xu, Yifan Hua, Yunfan Li, Jyun-Rong Zhuang, Keisuke Osawa, Kei Nakagawa, Hee-Hyol Lee, L. Yuge, Eiichirou Tanaka","doi":"10.20965/jrm.2023.p0669","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20965/jrm.2023.p0669","url":null,"abstract":"As the population ages, the number of elderly people suffering from systemic diseases such as stroke increases. To address this problem, various wearable walking assistive robots have been developed to promote physical exercise for stroke prevention. Wearable assistive robots have shown the ability to improve human mobility. However, most of these robots are heavy, bulky, and impractical. In this study, we developed a compact ankle assistive robot for elderly users to promote walking exercise. By informing the user of correct motion and timing, the robot can guide the user to achieve a healthy gait by only assisting their ankle joint. The robot provides faster-than-ankle motion to allow the user to feel supported while walking. Users can adjust the robot’s assistance parameters through a graphical user interface (GUI) according to their needs. Furthermore, we proposed a gait-adaptive method for ankle assistive robots to adapt to the user’s changing gait. Hence, the robot can automatically adjust the parameters to provide more accurate walking assistance. Finally, the results of an evaluation experiment demonstrated the feasibility of human gait adaptation. The proposed methods have the advantages of low cost and easy implementation.","PeriodicalId":178614,"journal":{"name":"J. Robotics Mechatronics","volume":"87 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123640844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Telerehabilitation System Based on OpenPose and 3D Reconstruction with Monocular Camera","authors":"Keisuke Osawa, Yu You, Yi Sun, Tai-Qi Wang, Shun Zhang, M. Shimodozono, Eiichirou Tanaka","doi":"10.20965/jrm.2023.p0586","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20965/jrm.2023.p0586","url":null,"abstract":"Owing to aging populations, the number of elderly people with limb dysfunction affecting their daily lives will continue to increase. These populations have a great need for rehabilitation training to restore limb functions. However, the current numbers of rehabilitation hospitals and doctors are limited. Moreover, people often cannot go to a hospital owing to external conditions (e.g., the impacts of COVID-19). Thus, an urgent need exists for telerehabilitation system for allowing patients to have training at home. The purpose of this study is to develop an easy-to-use system for allowing target users to experience rehabilitation training at home and to remotely receive real-time guidance from doctors. The proposed system only needs a monocular camera to capture 3D motions. First, the 2D key joints of the human body are detected; then, a simple baseline network is used to reconstruct 3D key joints from the 2D key joints. The 2D detection only has an average angle error of 1.7% compared to that of a professional motion capture system. In addition, the 3D reconstruction has a mean per-joint position error of only 67.9 mm compared to the real coordinates. After acquiring the user’s 3D motions, the system synchronizes the 3D motions to a virtual human model in Unity, providing the user with a more intuitive and interactive experience. Generally, many telerehabilitation systems require professional motion capture cameras and wearable equipment, and the training target is a single body part. In contrast, the proposed system is low-cost and easier to use and only requires a monocular camera and computer to achieve real-time and intuitive telerehabilitation (even though the training target is the entire body). Furthermore, the system provides a similarity evaluation of the motions based on the dynamic time warping; this can provide more accurate and direct feedback to users. In addition, a series of evaluation experiments verify the system’s usability, convenience, feasibility, and accuracy, with the ultimate conclusion that the system can be used in practical rehabilitation applications.","PeriodicalId":178614,"journal":{"name":"J. Robotics Mechatronics","volume":"10 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122004653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advanced Musical Saw Manipulation by an Industrial Cooperative Humanoid Robot with Passive Sound Feedback","authors":"H. Hanai, A. Miura, T. Hirogaki, E. Aoyama","doi":"10.20965/jrm.2023.p0711","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20965/jrm.2023.p0711","url":null,"abstract":"In recent years, collaborative robots able to work together with humans have become widespread in production sites and factory automation fields. In this context, the goal is to provide a production site where cooperative robots can share various types of tools with humans. However, we have not yet reached the point where collaborative robots and humans can share tools for advanced skills. Therefore, it is very important to investigate how a collaborative robot can control advanced tools requiring human skills and the processes for realizing such control. Musical instruments are some of the most difficult tools to handle. It is important to focus on musical instruments because they allow us to evaluate the robot’s manipulation not only by evaluating its movements, but also by evaluating the resultant sound. In this study, we consider a flexible and large deformable musical saw as an unknown and advanced tool difficult for humans to manipulate. In a previous report, a support method for imitating a human was adopted and provided manipulation control based on striking sound feedback using a cooperative humanoid robot. In the present paper, the support method is improved at the tip of the musical saw to realize an advanced wrist motion. In addition, we discuss skillful manipulations based on striking sound feedback control while considering the positions and postures between the collaborative humanoid robot and musical saw.","PeriodicalId":178614,"journal":{"name":"J. Robotics Mechatronics","volume":"75 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126981658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of High Dynamic Range Six-Axis Force Sensor with Simple Structure","authors":"Takamasa Kawahara, T. Tsuji","doi":"10.20965/jrm.2023.p0771","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20965/jrm.2023.p0771","url":null,"abstract":"We propose a six-axis force sensor with a simple structure that can measure small forces while affording a high load capacity. For a robot to perform complex motions in an unknown environment, the force sensor used must exhibit a high resolution and high load rating. Various studies have been conducted to simultaneously satisfy these two requirements. However, the high processing cost due to the complicated sensor structure is problematic. Therefore, we develop a column-type high dynamic range (HDR) six-axis force sensor using two types of strain gauges. The sensor was composed of a drawn pipe to solve structural problems that arise during manufacturing. By attaching strain gauges to the surface of the drawn pipe, the forces and torques in the six axes can be measured. HDR measurement was realizable using a semiconductor strain gauge for small loads and a metallic foil strain gauge for large loads. Based on the simulation results, the rated loads of the sensor were 1400 N in the Fx and Fy directions, 9000 N in the Fz direction, and 120 Nm in the Mx, My, and Mz directions. The performance of the fabricated force sensor was evaluated. The maximum nonlinearity errors of the semiconductor strain gauge and the metallic foil strain gauges were 1.21% and 1.81%, respectively. In addition, when comparing the S/N ratios, the minimum measurable values were 0.035 N and 0.13 N for Fy and Fz, respectively.","PeriodicalId":178614,"journal":{"name":"J. Robotics Mechatronics","volume":"36 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132815161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Through-Hole Detection and Finger Insertion Planning as Preceding Motion for Hooking and Caging a Ring-Shaped Objects","authors":"Koshi Makihara, Takuya Otsubo, S. Makita","doi":"10.20965/jrm.2023.p0734","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20965/jrm.2023.p0734","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigated a pregrasp strategy for hooking and caging ring-shaped objects. Through-hole features enable the robot hand to hook an object with holes by inserting its finger into one of the holes. Compared to directly grasping the ring, an inserting motion is more convenient to allow the uncertainty of positioning errors and avoid collisions between the hand and the object. Instead of recognizing the exact shape of the object, we only detected its ring-shaped feature as a through-hole to be inserted and estimated its approximate center position and orientation from the point cloud of the object. The estimated geometric properties enabled the approaching motion of the robotic gripper to complete insertion. The proposed perception and motion-planning method was demonstrated for rigid and deformable objects with holes.","PeriodicalId":178614,"journal":{"name":"J. Robotics Mechatronics","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131811591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parameter Setting and Driver Acceptability Evaluation of Steering Assistance System Using Impedance Control by Damping Ratio","authors":"S. Hayakawa, R. Ikeura","doi":"10.20965/jrm.2023.p0694","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20965/jrm.2023.p0694","url":null,"abstract":"In this paper, we introduce an adaptation to steering assistance systems for providing impedance control. We also suggest using the damping ratio as a design guideline for the parameters of the impedance control. In our research, experiments were conducted with experimental participants using a driving simulator implementing the suggested steering assistance system. As a result of both subjective and objective evaluations, it was found that the suggested steering assistance system is better accepted by drivers than the conventional system. Moreover, the use of the damping ratio as an evaluation index facilitates the design of the impedance parameters. These results indicate the effectiveness of our suggested system.","PeriodicalId":178614,"journal":{"name":"J. Robotics Mechatronics","volume":"35 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130477907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Motor Characteristics of Human Adaptations to External Assistive Forces","authors":"Wen Liang Yeoh, Jeewon Choi, P. Loh, Osamu Fukuda, S. Muraki","doi":"10.20965/jrm.2023.p0547","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20965/jrm.2023.p0547","url":null,"abstract":"Technology advancement has enabled the development of robotic exoskeletons that are portable, powerful, and sufficiently smart to be of practical use in the real world. These devices provide partial assistive forces that increase their user’s physical strength to better meet the demands of everyday life and have potential applications in various settings. Examples include helping older adults maintain their independence and preventing musculoskeletal injuries among factory workers. Although great strides have been made to improve the performance and usability of these devices, human characteristics and the way humans adapt to the external assistive forces from these devices are rarely explicitly considered in their development. A common assumption is that if the provided assistive forces are aligned with the intent of users, users can easily “switch off” their muscles and effectively utilize this assistive force. In this review, we demonstrate that human adaptations to external assistive forces can lead to inefficiencies or conflicts that decrease the effectiveness of robotic exoskeletons. We then discuss the motor characteristics of human adaptations to external assistive forces.","PeriodicalId":178614,"journal":{"name":"J. Robotics Mechatronics","volume":"35 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129840300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gait Analysis and Improvement of Hexapod Mobile Robot Using Tetrahedral-Shaped Pneumatic Soft Actuators","authors":"Feifei Cho, K. Hase, T. Akagi, S. Dohta, T. Shinohara, M. Yokota","doi":"10.20965/jrm.2023.p0661","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20965/jrm.2023.p0661","url":null,"abstract":"In recent years, the aging of society has led to challenges such as ensuring adequate facility capacity and promoting health maintenance for the elderly. Consequently, there has been a growing demand for rehabilitation and fitness equipment suitable for use in limited spaces such as homes. In a previous study, a hexapod mobile robot, equipped with six tetrahedral-shaped pneumatic soft actuators (TSAs), was developed as a core training device to address these issues. However, the robot’s gait was investigated experimentally via a trial-and-error process. Hence, it is necessary to examine the stability of the gait. In this study, a straightforward model is presented for gait analysis of the mobile robot. Furthermore, the stability of the gait is demonstrated based on the analysis, and a more efficient gait with a sufficient stability margin is introduced.","PeriodicalId":178614,"journal":{"name":"J. Robotics Mechatronics","volume":"15 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124321958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Stair-Climbing Training System Using Visual VR Display for Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients","authors":"Y. Kurita, Takumi Okumura, R. Imai, Tomohiko Nishigami, So Tanaka, Takanori Taniguchi","doi":"10.20965/jrm.2023.p0612","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20965/jrm.2023.p0612","url":null,"abstract":"Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the primary treatment for knee osteoarthritis. However, TKA is highly likely to result in prolonged chronic postoperative pain. The one-foot-one-step walking style is likely to induce fear of movement because of pain, leading to catastrophic thinking about the actual activity and consequently limiting movement. The aim of this study is to develop a system to induce the sensation of stair climbing through the interaction of the visual and kinesthetic senses. By controlling the amount of movement of the foot and the point of view in virtual space, the system can present a visual image of stair climbing even when the patient steps in a fixed position. This system enables easy motor imagery intervention even for early postoperative patients who have difficulty with the actual stair climbing movement. The clinical intervention experiment confirmed that the smoothness of the knee joint motion during descent was improved by intervening with motor imagery during stair ascent and descent for TKA patients.","PeriodicalId":178614,"journal":{"name":"J. Robotics Mechatronics","volume":"12 5 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132928283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}