@inproceedings{MarcoFerrein2017, author = {Marco, Heather G. and Ferrein, Alexander}, title = {AGNES: The African-German Network of Excellence in Science}, series = {Proceedings of the 2nd Developing World Robotics Forum, Workshop at IEEE AFRICON 2017}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2nd Developing World Robotics Forum, Workshop at IEEE AFRICON 2017}, pages = {1 -- 2}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{AlhwarinFerreinScholl2019, author = {Alhwarin, Faraj and Ferrein, Alexander and Scholl, Ingrid}, title = {An Efficient Hashing Algorithm for NN Problem in HD Spaces}, series = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science}, booktitle = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science}, isbn = {978-303005498-4}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-030-05499-1_6}, pages = {101 -- 115}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{ZugNiemuellerHochgeschwenderetal.2017, author = {Zug, Sebastian and Niemueller, Tim and Hochgeschwender, Nico and Seidensticker, Kai and Seidel, Martin and Friedrich, Tim and Neumann, Tobias and Karras, Ulrich and Kraetzschmar, Gerhard K. and Ferrein, Alexander}, title = {An Integration Challenge to Bridge the Gap Among Industry-Inspired RoboCup Leagues}, series = {RoboCup 2016: Robot World Cup XX. RoboCup 2016.}, booktitle = {RoboCup 2016: Robot World Cup XX. RoboCup 2016.}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-68792-6}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-68792-6_13}, pages = {157 -- 168}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{EngemannWiesenKallweitetal.2018, author = {Engemann, Heiko and Wiesen, Patrick and Kallweit, Stephan and Deshpande, Harshavardhan and Schleupen, Josef}, title = {Autonomous mobile manipulation using ROS}, series = {Advances in Service and Industrial Robotics}, booktitle = {Advances in Service and Industrial Robotics}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-61276-8}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-61276-8_43}, pages = {389 -- 401}, year = {2018}, language = {en} } @incollection{EngemannDuKallweitetal.2020, author = {Engemann, Heiko and Du, Shengzhi and Kallweit, Stephan and Ning, Chuanfang and Anwar, Saqib}, title = {AutoSynPose: Automatic Generation of Synthetic Datasets for 6D Object Pose Estimation}, series = {Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. Proceedings of MLIS 2020}, booktitle = {Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. Proceedings of MLIS 2020}, publisher = {IOS Press}, address = {Amsterdam}, isbn = {978-1-64368-137-5}, doi = {10.3233/FAIA200770}, pages = {89 -- 97}, year = {2020}, abstract = {We present an automated pipeline for the generation of synthetic datasets for six-dimension (6D) object pose estimation. Therefore, a completely automated generation process based on predefined settings is developed, which enables the user to create large datasets with a minimum of interaction and which is feasible for applications with a high object variance. The pipeline is based on the Unreal 4 (UE4) game engine and provides a high variation for domain randomization, such as object appearance, ambient lighting, camera-object transformation and distractor density. In addition to the object pose and bounding box, the metadata includes all randomization parameters, which enables further studies on randomization parameter tuning. The developed workflow is adaptable to other 3D objects and UE4 environments. An exemplary dataset is provided including five objects of the Yale-CMU-Berkeley (YCB) object set. The datasets consist of 6 million subsegments using 97 rendering locations in 12 different UE4 environments. Each dataset subsegment includes one RGB image, one depth image and one class segmentation image at pixel-level.}, language = {en} } @incollection{NiemuellerLakemeyerReuteretal.2017, author = {Niemueller, T. and Lakemeyer, G. and Reuter, S. and Jeschke, S. and Ferrein, Alexander}, title = {Benchmarking of Cyber-Physical Systems in Industrial Robotics: The RoboCup Logistics League as a CPS Benchmark Blueprint}, series = {Cyber-Physical Systems: Foundations, Principles and Applications}, booktitle = {Cyber-Physical Systems: Foundations, Principles and Applications}, publisher = {Academic Press}, address = {London}, doi = {10.1016/B978-0-12-803801-7.00013-4}, pages = {193 -- 207}, year = {2017}, abstract = {In the future, we expect manufacturing companies to follow a new paradigm that mandates more automation and autonomy in production processes. Such smart factories will offer a variety of production technologies as services that can be combined ad hoc to produce a large number of different product types and variants cost-effectively even in small lot sizes. This is enabled by cyber-physical systems that feature flexible automated planning methods for production scheduling, execution control, and in-factory logistics. During development, testbeds are required to determine the applicability of integrated systems in such scenarios. Furthermore, benchmarks are needed to quantify and compare system performance in these industry-inspired scenarios at a comprehensible and manageable size which is, at the same time, complex enough to yield meaningful results. In this chapter, based on our experience in the RoboCup Logistics League (RCLL) as a specific example, we derive a generic blueprint for how a holistic benchmark can be developed, which combines a specific scenario with a set of key performance indicators as metrics to evaluate the overall integrated system and its components.}, language = {de} } @article{SchulteTiggesFoersterNikolovskietal.2022, author = {Schulte-Tigges, Joschua and F{\"o}rster, Marco and Nikolovski, Gjorgji and Reke, Michael and Ferrein, Alexander and Kaszner, Daniel and Matheis, Dominik and Walter, Thomas}, title = {Benchmarking of various LiDAR sensors for use in self-driving vehicles in real-world environments}, series = {Sensors}, volume = {22}, journal = {Sensors}, number = {19}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1424-8220}, doi = {10.3390/s22197146}, pages = {20 Seiten}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Abstract In this paper, we report on our benchmark results of the LiDAR sensors Livox Horizon, Robosense M1, Blickfeld Cube, Blickfeld Cube Range, Velodyne Velarray H800, and Innoviz Pro. The idea was to test the sensors in different typical scenarios that were defined with real-world use cases in mind, in order to find a sensor that meet the requirements of self-driving vehicles. For this, we defined static and dynamic benchmark scenarios. In the static scenarios, both LiDAR and the detection target do not move during the measurement. In dynamic scenarios, the LiDAR sensor was mounted on the vehicle which was driving toward the detection target. We tested all mentioned LiDAR sensors in both scenarios, show the results regarding the detection accuracy of the targets, and discuss their usefulness for deployment in self-driving cars.}, language = {en} } @article{ClaerFerreinSchiffer2019, author = {Claer, Mario and Ferrein, Alexander and Schiffer, Stefan}, title = {Calibration of a Rotating or Revolving Platform with a LiDAR Sensor}, series = {Applied Sciences}, volume = {Volume 9}, journal = {Applied Sciences}, number = {issue 11, 2238}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2076-3417}, doi = {10.3390/app9112238}, pages = {18 Seiten}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{DeyElsenFerreinetal.2021, author = {Dey, Thomas and Elsen, Ingo and Ferrein, Alexander and Frauenrath, Tobias and Reke, Michael and Schiffer, Stefan}, title = {CO2 Meter: a do-it-yourself carbon dioxide measuring device for the classroom}, series = {PETRA 2021: The 14th PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments Conference}, booktitle = {PETRA 2021: The 14th PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments Conference}, editor = {Makedon, Fillia}, publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery}, address = {New York}, isbn = {9781450387927}, doi = {10.1145/3453892.3462697}, pages = {292 -- 299}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In this paper we report on CO2 Meter, a do-it-yourself carbon dioxide measuring device for the classroom. Part of the current measures for dealing with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is proper ventilation in indoor settings. This is especially important in schools with students coming back to the classroom even with high incidents rates. Static ventilation patterns do not consider the individual situation for a particular class. Influencing factors like the type of activity, the physical structure or the room occupancy are not incorporated. Also, existing devices are rather expensive and often provide only limited information and only locally without any networking. This leaves the potential of analysing the situation across different settings untapped. Carbon dioxide level can be used as an indicator of air quality, in general, and of aerosol load in particular. Since, according to the latest findings, SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted primarily in the form of aerosols, carbon dioxide may be used as a proxy for the risk of a virus infection. Hence, schools could improve the indoor air quality and potentially reduce the infection risk if they actually had measuring devices available in the classroom. Our device supports schools in ventilation and it allows for collecting data over the Internet to enable a detailed data analysis and model generation. First deployments in schools at different levels were received very positively. A pilot installation with a larger data collection and analysis is underway.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SteinbauerFerrein2019, author = {Steinbauer, Gerald and Ferrein, Alexander}, title = {CogRob 2018 : Cognitive Robotics Workshop. Proceedings of the 11th Cognitive Robotics Workshop 2018 co-located with 16th International Conference on Principles of Knowledge Representation and Reasoning (KR 2018). Tempe, AZ, USA, October 27th, 2018.}, series = {CEUR workshop proceedings}, booktitle = {CEUR workshop proceedings}, number = {Vol-2325}, issn = {1613-0073}, pages = {46 Seiten}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FerreinMeessenLimpertetal.2021, author = {Ferrein, Alexander and Meeßen, Marcus and Limpert, Nicolas and Schiffer, Stefan}, title = {Compiling ROS Schooling Curricula via Contentual Taxonomies}, series = {Robotics in Education}, booktitle = {Robotics in Education}, editor = {Lepuschitz, Wilfried}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-030-67411-3}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-030-67411-3_5}, pages = {49 -- 60}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FerreinMaierMuehlbacheretal.2015, author = {Ferrein, Alexander and Maier, Christopher and M{\"u}hlbacher, Clemens and Niemueller, Tim and Steinbauer, Gerald and Vassos, Stravros}, title = {Controlling Logistics Robots with the Action-based Language YAGI}, series = {Proceedings of the 2015 IROS Workshop on Workshop on Task Planning for Intelligent Robots in Service and Manufacturing}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 2015 IROS Workshop on Workshop on Task Planning for Intelligent Robots in Service and Manufacturing}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FerreinMaierMuehlbacheretal.2016, author = {Ferrein, Alexander and Maier, Christopher and M{\"u}hlbacher, Clemens and Niem{\"u}ller, Tim and Steinbauer, Gerald and Vassos, Stravros}, title = {Controlling logistics robots with the action-based language YAGI}, series = {Intelligent Robotics and Applications: 9th International Conference, ICIRA 2016, Tokyo, Japan, August 22-24, 2016, Proceedings, Part I}, volume = {9834}, booktitle = {Intelligent Robotics and Applications: 9th International Conference, ICIRA 2016, Tokyo, Japan, August 22-24, 2016, Proceedings, Part I}, publisher = {Springer}, isbn = {978-3-319-43505-3 (Print)}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-43506-0_46}, pages = {525 -- 537}, year = {2016}, language = {en} } @incollection{NiemuellerZwillingLakemeyeretal.2017, author = {Niemueller, Tim and Zwilling, Frederik and Lakemeyer, Gerhard and L{\"o}bach, Matthias and Reuter, Sebastian and Jeschke, Sabina and Ferrein, Alexander}, title = {Cyber-Physical System Intelligence}, series = {Industrial Internet of Things}, booktitle = {Industrial Internet of Things}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-42559-7}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-42559-7_17}, pages = {447 -- 472}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Cyber-physical systems are ever more common in manufacturing industries. Increasing their autonomy has been declared an explicit goal, for example, as part of the Industry 4.0 vision. To achieve this system intelligence, principled and software-driven methods are required to analyze sensing data, make goal-directed decisions, and eventually execute and monitor chosen tasks. In this chapter, we present a number of knowledge-based approaches to these problems and case studies with in-depth evaluation results of several different implementations for groups of autonomous mobile robots performing in-house logistics in a smart factory. We focus on knowledge-based systems because besides providing expressive languages and capable reasoning techniques, they also allow for explaining how a particular sequence of actions came about, for example, in the case of a failure.}, language = {en} } @article{SchifferFerrein2016, author = {Schiffer, Stefan and Ferrein, Alexander}, title = {Decision-Theoretic Planning with Fuzzy Notions in GOLOG}, series = {International Journal of Uncertainty, Fuzziness and Knowledge-Based Systems}, volume = {24}, journal = {International Journal of Uncertainty, Fuzziness and Knowledge-Based Systems}, number = {Issue Suppl. 2}, publisher = {World Scientific}, address = {Singapur}, issn = {1793-6411}, doi = {10.1142/S0218488516400134}, pages = {123 -- 143}, year = {2016}, abstract = {In this paper we present an extension of the action language Golog that allows for using fuzzy notions in non-deterministic argument choices and the reward function in decision-theoretic planning. Often, in decision-theoretic planning, it is cumbersome to specify the set of values to pick from in the non-deterministic-choice-of-argument statement. Also, even for domain experts, it is not always easy to specify a reward function. Instead of providing a finite domain for values in the non-deterministic-choice-of-argument statement in Golog, we now allow for stating the argument domain by simply providing a formula over linguistic terms and fuzzy uents. In Golog's forward-search DT planning algorithm, these formulas are evaluated in order to find the agent's optimal policy. We illustrate this in the Diner Domain where the agent needs to calculate the optimal serving order.}, language = {en} } @incollection{NiemuellerReuterEwertetal.2015, author = {Niemueller, Tim and Reuter, Sebastian and Ewert, Daniel and Ferrein, Alexander and Jeschke, Sabina and Lakemeyer, Gerhard}, title = {Decisive Factors for the Success of the Carologistics RoboCup Team in the RoboCup Logistics League 2014}, series = {RoboCup 2014: Robot World Cup XVIII}, booktitle = {RoboCup 2014: Robot World Cup XVIII}, publisher = {Springer}, isbn = {978-3-319-18615-3}, pages = {155 -- 167}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchulteTiggesMatheisRekeetal.2023, author = {Schulte-Tigges, Joschua and Matheis, Dominik and Reke, Michael and Walter, Thomas and Kaszner, Daniel}, title = {Demonstrating a V2X enabled system for transition of control and minimum risk manoeuvre when leaving the operational design domain}, series = {HCII 2023: HCI in Mobility, Transport, and Automotive Systems}, booktitle = {HCII 2023: HCI in Mobility, Transport, and Automotive Systems}, editor = {Kr{\"o}mker, Heidi}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-031-35677-3 (Print)}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-031-35678-0_12}, pages = {200 -- 210}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Modern implementations of driver assistance systems are evolving from a pure driver assistance to a independently acting automation system. Still these systems are not covering the full vehicle usage range, also called operational design domain, which require the human driver as fall-back mechanism. Transition of control and potential minimum risk manoeuvres are currently research topics and will bridge the gap until full autonomous vehicles are available. The authors showed in a demonstration that the transition of control mechanisms can be further improved by usage of communication technology. Receiving the incident type and position information by usage of standardised vehicle to everything (V2X) messages can improve the driver safety and comfort level. The connected and automated vehicle's software framework can take this information to plan areas where the driver should take back control by initiating a transition of control which can be followed by a minimum risk manoeuvre in case of an unresponsive driver. This transition of control has been implemented in a test vehicle and was presented to the public during the IEEE IV2022 (IEEE Intelligent Vehicle Symposium) in Aachen, Germany.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{StopforthDavrajhFerrein2017, author = {Stopforth, Riaan and Davrajh, Shaniel and Ferrein, Alexander}, title = {Design considerations of the duo fugam dual rotor UAV}, series = {2017 Pattern Recognition Association of South Africa and Robotics and Mechatronics (PRASA-RobMech)}, booktitle = {2017 Pattern Recognition Association of South Africa and Robotics and Mechatronics (PRASA-RobMech)}, isbn = {978-1-5386-2314-5}, doi = {10.1109/RoboMech.2017.8261115}, pages = {7 -- 13}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{FrankoDuKallweitetal.2020, author = {Franko, Josef and Du, Shengzhi and Kallweit, Stephan and Duelberg, Enno Sebastian and Engemann, Heiko}, title = {Design of a Multi-Robot System for Wind Turbine Maintenance}, series = {Energies}, volume = {13}, journal = {Energies}, number = {10}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1996-1073}, doi = {10.3390/en13102552}, pages = {Article 2552}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The maintenance of wind turbines is of growing importance considering the transition to renewable energy. This paper presents a multi-robot-approach for automated wind turbine maintenance including a novel climbing robot. Currently, wind turbine maintenance remains a manual task, which is monotonous, dangerous, and also physically demanding due to the large scale of wind turbines. Technical climbers are required to work at significant heights, even in bad weather conditions. Furthermore, a skilled labor force with sufficient knowledge in repairing fiber composite material is rare. Autonomous mobile systems enable the digitization of the maintenance process. They can be designed for weather-independent operations. This work contributes to the development and experimental validation of a maintenance system consisting of multiple robotic platforms for a variety of tasks, such as wind turbine tower and rotor blade service. In this work, multicopters with vision and LiDAR sensors for global inspection are used to guide slower climbing robots. Light-weight magnetic climbers with surface contact were used to analyze structure parts with non-destructive inspection methods and to locally repair smaller defects. Localization was enabled by adapting odometry for conical-shaped surfaces considering additional navigation sensors. Magnets were suitable for steel towers to clamp onto the surface. A friction-based climbing ring robot (SMART— Scanning, Monitoring, Analyzing, Repair and Transportation) completed the set-up for higher payload. The maintenance period could be extended by using weather-proofed maintenance robots. The multi-robot-system was running the Robot Operating System (ROS). Additionally, first steps towards machine learning would enable maintenance staff to use pattern classification for fault diagnosis in order to operate safely from the ground in the future.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{SchleupenEngemannBagherietal.2017, author = {Schleupen, Josef and Engemann, Heiko and Bagheri, Mohsen and Kallweit, Stephan and Dahmann, Peter}, title = {Developing a climbing maintenance robot for tower and rotor blade service of wind turbines}, series = {Advances in Robot Design and Intelligent Control : Proceedings of the 25th Conference on Robotics in Alpe-Adria-Danube Region (RAAD16)}, booktitle = {Advances in Robot Design and Intelligent Control : Proceedings of the 25th Conference on Robotics in Alpe-Adria-Danube Region (RAAD16)}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Cham}, isbn = {978-3-319-49058-8}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-49058-8_34}, pages = {310 -- 319}, year = {2017}, language = {en} }