Cross-Modal 360° Depth Completion and Reconstruction for Large-Scale Indoor Environment

In 2013 the Editor of Journal of Vibration and Control and SAGE became aware of a peer review ring involving assumed and fabricated identities that appeared to centre around Peter Chen at National Pingtung University of Education, Taiwan (NPUE). SAGE and the Editor then began a complex investigation into the case during the rest of 2013 and 2014. Following an unsatisfactory response from Peter Chen, NPUE was notified. NPUE were serious in addressing the Journal and SAGE’s concerns. NPUE confirmed that the institution was investigating Peter Chen. SAGE subsequently uncovered a citation ring involving the above mentioned author and others. We regret that individual authors have compromised the academic record by perverting the peer review process and apologise to readers. On uncovering problems with peer review and citation SAGE immediately put steps in place to avoid similar vulnerability of the Journal to exploitation in the future. More information may be found at www.sagepub.co.uk/JVC_Statement_2014 . The Journal and SAGE understand from NPUE that Peter Chen has resigned his post at NPUE. The following articles are retracted because after thorough investigation evidence points towards them having at least one author or being reviewed by at least one reviewer who has been implicated in the peer review ring and/or citation ring. All authors have had an opportunity to respond to the allegations and proposed actions. OnlineFirst articles (these articles will not be published in an issue) Chen CY, Chen T-H, Chen Y-H, Yu S-E and Chung P-Y (2013) Information technology system modeling an integrated C-TAM-TPB model to the validation of ocean tidal analyses Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 7 May 2013. doi: 10.1177/1077546312472924 Chang R-F, Chen CY, Su F-P and Lin H-C (2013) A two-step approach for broadband digital signal processing technique Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 26 April 2013. doi: 10.1177/1077546312472925 Chen TH, Chang CJ, Yu SE, Chung PY and Liu C-K (2013) Nonlinear information analysis and system management technique: the influence of design experience and control complexity Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 12 April 2013. doi: 10.1177/1077546312473321 Chen CY, Shih BY, Chen YH, Yu SE and Liu YC (2013) The exploration of a 3T flow model using vibrating NXT: II. Model validation Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 10 April 2013. doi: 10.1177/1077546312470481 Chen CY, Shih BY, Chen YH, Yu SE and Liu YC (2013) The exploration of 3T flow model using vibrating NXT: I. model formulation Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 6 February 2013. doi: 10.1177/1077546312467360 Lin M-L and Chen C-W (2013) Stability analysis of fuzzy-based NN modeling for ecosystems using fuzzy Lyapunov methods Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 6 February 2013. doi: 10.1177/1077546312466687 Chen CY, Chen TH, Chen YH and Chiu J (2012) A multi-stage method for deterministic-statistical analysis: a mathematical case and measurement studies Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 20 December 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312466579 Shih BY, Lin MC and Chen CY (2012) Autonomous navigation system for radiofrequency identification mobile robot e-book reader Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 13 December 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312466578 Chang RF, Chen CY, Su FP, Lin HC and Lu C-K (2012) Multiphase SUMO robot based on an agile modeling-driven process for a small mobile robot Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 13 December 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312464993 Shih B-Y, Lin Y-K, Cheng M-H, Chen C-Y and Chiu C-P (2012) The development of an application program interactive game-based information system Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 12 December 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312464682 Chen C-Y, Chang C-J and Lin C-H (2012) On dynamic access control in web 2.0 and cloud interactive information hub: technologies Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 12 December 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312464992 Shin BY, Chen CY and Hsu KH (2012) Robot cross platform system using innovative interactive theory and selection algorithms for Android application Journal of Vibration and Control Epub ahead of print 13 November 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312463757 Articles published in an issue Chen C-W (2014) Applications of neural-network-based fuzzy logic control to a nonlinear time-delay chaotic system Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (4): 589-605. Epub ahead of print 5 November 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312461370 Chen C-W (2014) A review of intelligent algorithm approaches and neural-fuzzy stability criteria for time-delay tension leg platform systems Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (4): 561-575. Epub ahead of print 5 November 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312463759 Chen C-Y, Chang C-J and Lin C-H (2014) On dynamic access control in web 2.0 and cloud interactive information hub: trends and theories Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (4): 548-560. Epub ahead of print 5 November 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312463762 Lin M-L and Chen C-W (2014) Stability conditions for ecosystem modeling using the fuzzy Lyapunov method Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (2): 290-302. Epub ahead of print 23 October 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312451301 Chen C-H, Kuo C-M, Hsieh S-H and Chen C-Y (2014) Highly efficient very-large-scale integration (VLSI) implementation of probabilistic neural network image interpolator Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (2): 218-224. Epub ahead of print 22 October 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312458822 Chen C-Y (2014) Wave vibration and simulation in dissipative media described by irregular boundary surfaces: a mathematical formulation Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (2): 191-203. Epub ahead of print 22 October 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312464258 Chen C-H, Yao T-K, Dai J-H and Chen C-Y (2014) A pipelined multiprocessor system- on-a-chip (SoC) design methodology for streaming signal processing Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (2): 163-178. Epub ahead of print 16 October 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312458821 Lin M-L and Chen C-W (2014) Fuzzy neural modeling for n-degree ecosystems using the linear matrix inequality approach Journal of Vibration and Control 20 (1): 82-93. Epub ahead of print 8 October 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312458533 Chen C-H, Wu W-X and Chen C-Y (2013) Ant-inspired collective problem-solving systems Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (16): 2481-2490. Epub ahead of print 18 September 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312456231 Chen C-H, Yao T-K, Kuo C-M and Chen C-Y (2013) Evolutionary design of constructive multilayer feedforward neural network Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (16): 2413-2420. Epub ahead of print 12 September 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312456726 Chen C-W (2013) Applications of the fuzzy-neural Lyapunov criterion to multiple time-delay systems Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (13): 2054-2067. Epub ahead of print 16 August 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312451034 Chung P-Y, Chen Y-H, Walter L and Chen C-Y (2013) Influence and dynamics of a mobile robot control on mechanical components Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (13): 1923-1935. Epub ahead of print 20 July 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312452184 Chen C-W (2013) Neural network-based fuzzy logic parallel distributed compensation controller for structural system Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (11): 1709-1727. Epub ahead of print 22 June 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312442233 Chen C-W, Yeh K, Yang H-C, Liu KFR and Liu C-C (2013) A critical review of structural system control by the large-scaled neural network linear-deferential-inclusion-based criterion Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (11): 1658-1673. Epub ahead of print 18 June 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312443377 Chen C-H, Kuo C-M, Chen C-Y and Dai J-H (2013) The design and synthesis using hierarchical robotic discrete-event modeling Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (11): 1603-1613. Epub ahead of print 27 June 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312449645 Chang CJ, Chen CY and Chou I-T (2013) The design of information and communication technologies: telecom MOD strength machines Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (10): 1499-1513. Epub ahead of print 27 June 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312449644 Shih B-Y, Chen C-Y, Li K-H, Wu T-Y, Chen G-Y (2013) A novel NXT control method for implementing force sensing and recycling in a training robot Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (10): 1443-1459. Epub ahead of print 1 June 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312446361 Chen C-W, Chen P-C and Chiang W-L (2013) Modified intelligent genetic algorithm-based adaptive neural network control for uncertain structural systems Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (9): 1333-1347. Epub ahead of print 31 May 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312442232 Chen C-Y, Shih B-Y, Shih C-H and Wang L-H (2013) Enhancing robust and stability control of a humanoid biped robot: system identification approach. Journal of Vibration and Control 19 (8): 1199-1207. Epub ahead of print 26 April 2012. doi: 10.1177/1077546312442947 Chang C-J, Chen C-Y and Huang C-W (2013) Applications for medical recovery using wireless control of a bluetooth ball with a hybrid G-sensor and human-computer interface technology Journal of Vi

Retraction notice

Many bridges in Taiwan have been in use from the period that Taiwan was governed by the Japanese, over 50 years ago, which is the average ultimate usable lifetime of such structures. Three-quarters of the bridges on major highways have been in use for more than 20 years and numerous bridges on country roads have also been in use for more than 20 years. In other words, most of the bridges in Taiwan are aging and may require repair or replacement. Ambient vibration tests are utilized to measure the response of old bridges, which are difficult to equip with accelerometers. The Fourier transform method is traditionally used to gain important information about ambient vibration records. However, the development of information technology over the last 20 years has meant that there are more kinds of signal management technologies, including the wavelet and Hilbert—Huang transform (HHT) methods. In this study we investigate the characteristics of aging bridges by comparison with their structural properties. We analyze their ambient vibration, and discuss the possible influence of the frequency function. Long-term environmental impacts create many structural problems, but with traditional methods examination of bridge health is difficult. Therefore, in our HHT management system, we examine destroyed bridges. The characteristics and behavior of bridges subjected to random loading can be understood by analysis with the random decrement technique and the frequency response function method.

Retraction notice

Point set registration is a key problem in intelligent vehicle localization and mapping. This paper presents a rigid point set registration algorithm based on the cubature Kalman filter (CKF). First, the point set registration problem is cast into the state space model assuming that the correspondence between these two point sets is previously unknown. Then, CKF is used to solve this nonlinear filtering problem. At every iterative step, all the points in the moving point set will be considered, and the corresponding points in the model point set will be updated accordingly. In the time update, the scale of the free space that can be explored is significant for this registration algorithm. Herein, continuous simulated annealing (CSA) is adopted to gradually optimize the covariance of the model noise to speed up convergence. Tests on public data sets show that the CKF-based point set registration algorithm is robust to outliers, noise, and initialization misalignment. Then, the application of this algorithm on intelligent vehicles and intelligent transportation systems is demonstrated through mapping and localization experiments. The precision and robustness are both validated compared with the traditional ICP, NDT, and CPD based point set registrations in the localization experiments. Thus, the contributions of this paper are threefold. First, a CKF scheme is utilized in the point set registration problem. Second, CSA serves as the local optimizer to speed up the convergence process and make it more accurate. Third, this filtering-based method is adopted in intelligent vehicles and SLAM applications.

The intelligent logistics vehicle is a logistics system product with information, automation and intelligence, which can realize intelligent sorting of goods in the warehouse and automatic transportation in logistics area. In this paper, a sensor circuit of intelligent logistics vehicle based on Arduino is designed, which is composed of Arduino motherboard, ultrasonic sensor, GPS module, Bluetooth module and LCD. It can collect and process sensor data and environmental location information of intelligent logistics vehicle in real time, so as to realize remote monitoring and intelligent scheduling of logistics vehicle. Finally, the sensor circuit is built, and the experiment and test are carried out on a logistics car. The test results show that the circuit can accurately sense the surrounding environment and position information of intelligent logistics vehicle. Moreover, the system is easy to operate and the cost is low, which has certain research significance and higher society popularized value in the application of Arduino technology in intelligent logistics system.

This paper presents new algorithms of path planning and obstacle avoidance for an autonomous mobile robot to navigate under unknown environments in the real time. Temporary targets are set up by distance variation method and then the algorithms of trajectory planning and obstacle avoidance are designed using fuzzy rules. It is shown by computer simulation that these algorithms are working well. Furthermore, an autonomous mobile robot was constructed to implement and test these algorithms in the real field. The experimental results are also satisfactory just like those of computer simulation.

A fuzzy configuration space description method that provides the path planning solution for autonomous mobile robots in dynamically changing environment is proposed based on a hybrid planning algorithm that combines total solutions and reactive control through fuzzy proximity measures. The system (made with C++) that monitors and controls mobile robots remotely is created using a multithreaded model while taking advantage of high performance OpenGL routines to counter the increase in computational cost generated by this approach. Experiments on a real Lego robot are performed using a personal computer with a 1.5GHz Pentium4 CPU and a CCD camera. The efficiency of the hybrid algorithm and the potential of this approach, as a distributed system, in greatly changing dynamic environments are shown. The system provides a starting point for further development of distributed robotic systems, for application in human support tasks where interaction with nonprecise human behaviors are better mentioned with fuzzy parameters.

This paper presents a hierarchical control architecture for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that enhances obstacle avoidance and trajectory smoothness in industrial-like navigation tasks. A global A*-based planner generates a collision-free path on an occupancy grid map and triggers replanning when newly detected obstacles invalidate the current route; dynamic obstacles are handled by projecting their short horizon predicted occupancy as virtual walls on the grid. A timed elastic band (TEB) local planner refines the global path in the spatiotemporal domain to satisfy nonholonomic constraints, velocity and acceleration limits, and obstacle- avoidance requirements, producing a smooth reference trajectory with moderated curvature variations. For tracking, a four-wheel steering (4WS) 2-degrees of freedom (DOF) lateral dynamics model is controlled by a discrete-time linear quadratic regulator (LQR) feedback controller combined with an Ackermann-based feedforward term to proactively compensate the reference curvature and stabilize lateral and heading errors under steering constraints. Simulations in MATLAB and a high-fidelity multi-DOF vehicle dynamics simulation program compare five schemes under both static and dynamic obstacle scenarios: A* with Pure Pursuit (short/medium/long look-ahead), A* with LQR/feedforward, and the proposed A*-TEB-LQR/feedforward architecture. The proposed method successfully avoids obstacles and achieves the smallest average curvature and shortest arrival time among collision-free algorithms, while Pure Pursuit suffers from look-ahead sensitivity and A*-LQR/feedforward shows increased local curvature near obstacles.

Advances in sensing, effecting, and computational technologies will change the way we design, construct, and monitor systems that interact with the physical world. Building structures will sense and respond to external loads, autonomous robots will occupy construction sites, and intelligent vehicles will monitor network flows to circumvent delays. As engineers, we must be prepared to work with the information technologies that underpin these coming systems. This paper addresses several of the prominent technical concerns in designing real-time systems that control some aspect of their environment. The view taken is that, by considering software systems to be an engineering artifact, we can begin to develop the kinds of quantitative approaches found in other areas of engineering design.

In this article, the problem of real-time robot exploration and map building (active SLAM) is considered. A single stereo vision camera is exploited by a fully autonomous robot to navigate, localize itself, define its surroundings, and avoid any possible obstacle in the aim of maximizing the mapped region following the optimal route. A modified version of the so-called cognitive-based adaptive optimization algorithm is introduced for the robot to successfully complete its tasks in real time and avoid any local minima entrapment. The method’s effectiveness and performance were tested under various simulation environments as well as real unknown areas with the use of properly equipped robots.

In this paper, we propose a data driven approach to first-person vision. We propose a novel image matching algorithm, named Re-Search, that is designed to cope with self-repetitive structures and confusing patterns in the indoor environment. This algorithm uses state-of-art image search techniques, and it matches a query image with a two-pass strategy. In the first pass, a conventional image search algorithm is used to search for a small number of images that are most similar to the query image. In the second pass, the retrieval results from the first step are used to discover features that are more distinctive in the local context. We demonstrate and evaluate the Re-Search algorithm in the context of indoor localization, with the illustration of potential applications in object pop-out and data-driven zoom-in.

In this paper, we present a novel human search and following system which uses the pervasive geomagnetic field to enable autonomous robots tracking and finding human users in large-scale indoor environments for human robot coordination. By leveraging geomagnetic field signature around, a robot can search and follow users who traverse freely in a space without the need of direct visual line of sight. The system is low-cost since it requires a magnetometer, which can be found on almost every mobile device. Since no visual data is used for either the user or the robot, privacy is mostly respected. The system includes two main elements. A geomagnetic field based Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping algorithm which generates geomagnetic field map of an environment, and sequence matching of geomagnetic field for autonomous navigation of a robot. The system is tested in a big indoor office demonstrating its effectiveness for large-scale human search and following for human and robot co-working environments.

We study how autonomous robots can learn by themselves to improve their depth estimation capability. In particular, we investigate a self-supervised learning setup in which stereo vision depth estimates serve as targets for a convolutional neural network (CNN) that transforms a single still image to a dense depth map. After training, the stereo and mono estimates are fused with a novel fusion method that preserves high confidence stereo estimates, while leveraging the CNN estimates in the low-confidence regions. The main contribution of the article is that it is shown that the fused estimates lead to a higher performance than the stereo vision estimates alone. Experiments are performed on the KITTI dataset, and on board of a Parrot SLAMDunk, showing that even rather limited CNNs can help provide stereo vision equipped robots with more reliable depth maps for autonomous navigation.

This special issue assembles five articles ensuing from a conference on “The Man and the Machine: When Systems Take Decisions Autonomously”, which took place on June 26 and 27, 2015, at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.The aim of the conference was to explore the broader implications of artificial intelligence, machine learning and autonomous robots and vehicles. Alphabet's Deep Mind is just one example about Whom we know, at least a little, and who, we are told, will be good. Autonomous vehicles are also about to enter the market and our phones have begun to verbalize at us. Private drones are being regulated by the US Federal Aviation Administration. The five papers in this special issue address some of the legal issues the broader development raises.The first article is on “The Implications of Modern Business-Entity Law for the Regulation of Autonomous Systems” and is written by Shawn Bayern.