JRM Editor’s Choice 2011 (Vol.23)

Vol.23 No.6 pp. 939-950 (December 2011)

Development of Production Robot System that can Assemble Products with Cable and Connector

Rintaro Haraguchi, Yukiyasu Domae, Koji Shiratsuchi,
Yasuo Kitaaki, Haruhisa Okuda, Akio Noda,
Kazuhiko Sumi, Takayuki Matsuno, Shun’ichi Kaneko,
and Toshio Fukuda

Abstract: To realize automatic robot-based electrical and electronic product assembly, we developed the handling of cables with connectors - flexible goods which are an obstacle to automation. The element technologies we developed include 3D vision sensing for cable extraction, force control for connector insertion, error recovery for improving system stability, and t...<more>

Vol.23 No.6 pp. 1041-1054 (December 2011)

HELIOS Tracked Robot Team: Mobile RT System for Special Urban Search and Rescue Operations

Ryuichi Hodoshima, Michele Guarnieri,
Ryo Kurazume, Hiroshi Masuda, Takao Inoh,
Paulo Debenest, Edwardo F. Fukushima,
and Shigeo Hirose

Abstract: Fire brigades and other specialized agencies are often required to undertake extremely dangerous search and rescue operations in which it is important first to verify the safety of the environment and then to obtain clear remote images of the inside of buildings and underground areas. Several studies have addressed the possibility of using robotic tools to m...<more>

Vol.23 No.5 pp. 665-675 (October 2011)

Creating Attraction for Technical Education Material and its Educational Benefit (Development of Robotic Education Material Characterized by 3D CAD/CAM and Compact Stereo Vision)

Takeshi Morishita

Abstract: This paper describes an attractive technical education program and material for engineering students that consists of 3D CAD/CAM technology, CAD/CAM circuit board manufacture, an image information processing system, stereo vision technology and control experiments involving a simple and compact robot equipped with a stereo vision system. In addition, this ma...<more>

Vol.23 No.5 pp. 811-821 (October 2011)

Enhancing Student Engineering, Personal, and Interpersonal Skills Through Yumekobo Projects

Kosei Demura, Takumi Sakamoto, Yasuki Asano,
and Masakatsu Matsuishi

Abstract: The Kanazawa Institute of Technology (KIT) established Yumekobo (the Factory for Dreams and Ideas) in 1993 to give students a place to create things freely and safely in extracurricular activities. Yumekobo has come to impact strongly on domestic and overseas universities promoting educational reform. The Yumekobo project supporting creative student group ac...<more>

Vol.23 No.5 pp. 822-829 (October 2011)

Educating Robot Development in a University Laboratory from First Year – A Trial of a Robotics Club Under Observation at a Laboratory –

Masaaki Kumagai

Abstract: A special trial university course by the author in robotics and mechatronics enables students hoping to explore robot development to use the author’s laboratory, equipment, machines, and consumable supplies such as screws, aluminum materials, and electrical parts freely in the hope that these students start developing mechatronics devices in their firs...<more>

Vol.23 No.5 pp. 830-839 (October 2011)

Education Method of Robotics with Jigsaw Method by Using RT Component

Yasuo Hayashibara, Shinya Kotosaka, Naomi Miyake,
and Tomomasa Sato

Abstract: This paper introduces an educationmethod of robotics with the jigsaw method by using the RT component. Robotics contains many areas of technologies, such as mechanism, electronics, and computer programming. Therefore, it may be a desirable academic discipline for studying current complex technologies. For studying robotics efficiently, we propose an educatio...<more>

Vol.23 No.4 pp. 466-474 (August 2011)

Range Estimation Technique Using Received Signal Strength Indication on Low Frequency Waves

Kenichi Ohara, Yuji Abe, Tomohito Takubo,
Yasushi Mae, Tamio Tanikawa, and Tatsuo Arai

Abstract: Recently, with the downsizing of computers and the development of wireless communication advances, sensor networks are being widely studied. However, it is necessary to know the location of each node, in order to apply sensor data. Many researchers have tried to find a good approach to position estimation in indoor environment. In our study, we focus on posi...<more>

Vol.23 No.4 pp. 484-493 (August 2011)

Visual Marker System for Autonomous Object Handling by Assistive Robotic Arm

Hideyuki Tanaka, Tetsuo Tomizawa, Yasushi Sumi,
Jae Hoon Lee, Hyun Min Do, Bong Keun Kim,
Tamio Tanikawa, Hiromu Onda, and Kohtaro Ohba

Abstract: The environment structuring concept has been used to design and develop a visual marker system for automating a robotic arm that assists those with upperlimb problems to lead independent lives. Confirmation experiments demonstrate the feasibility of our system in meeting different practical performance requirements. Combining semiautonomous control, simple v...<more>

Vol.23 No.3 pp. 350-359 (June 2011)

Software Deployment Infrastructure for Component Based RT-Systems

Noriaki Ando, Shinji Kurihara, Geoffrey Biggs,
Takeshi Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Nakamoto,
and Tetsuo Kotoku

Abstract: In component-based Robotic Technology (RT) systems, launching the system involves installing component binary files to the target computers, instantiation of components, and establishing connections between components. In order to operate RT systems with many CPU nodes effectively, the deployment features provided by the middleware are important. Deployment ...<more>

Vol.23 No.1 pp. 13-18 (February 2011)

Automatic Cell Cutting by High-Precision Microfluidic Control

Akihiko Ichikawa, Tamio Tanikawa, Satoshi Akagi,
and Kohtaro Ohba

Abstract: We have developed automated cell cutting by highprecision microfluidic control using a high-response and high-precision syringe pump. A microfluidic chip containing 2 orthogonal microchannels was used for cutting animal cells softened by cytochalasin and aspirated and fixed in 1 microchannel, then a high-velocity microchannel flow was generated from another ...<more>