Spatial information plays a critical role in remote sensing and mapping applications such as environment surveying and disaster monitoring. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-borne mobile mapping system (MMS) can accomplish rapid spatial information acquisition under limited sky conditions with better mobility and flexibility than other means. This study proposes a long endurance Direct Geo-refer...

With recent advances in MEMS-based sensor technology, low-cost and low-power wireless sensors can be deployed on a human body and utilized as a component of urban sensing. However, the location error of existing positioning technologies depends on environmental factors and users’ walking styles. This variability of the location error brings a huge impact on the data mapping process, especially ...

We discuss key features of MEMS technology which enable new functionalities of microphotonic devices, that can by summarized as “arrayability”, i.e. the ability to make massively parallel optical devices in a small form factor, “reconfigurability,” the ability to change optical properties spatially and temporaly, and “nano positioning,” the ability to position micro-scale devices with nanometer...

The hysteresis characteristic of piezoelectric micro-positioning platforms seriously affects its positioning accuracy in precision positioning. It is important to design an effective model and control scheme. Based on the analysis Duhem model, this paper proposes divide curve into two parts, step-up section step-down section, identify parameters, respectively, a hybrid intelligent optimization ...

A new parallel-type gripper mechanism is proposed in this work. This device has a parallelogramic platform that can be flexibly folded. Therefore, this mechanism not only can be used to grasp an object having irregular shape or large volume, but also can be utilized as a micro-positioning device after grasping objects. Forward position analysis and platform kinematics are investigated to deal w...

ion barrier increases generality This theory arguably represents the first systematic attack on massively parallel, distributed manipulation based on geometric and physical reasoning. Applications such as parts-feeding can be formulated in terms of the force vector fields required. Thus programmable force fields act as an abstraction barrier between applications requiring array micromanipulatio...

There are great challenges in biological research to study mechanical or chemical interactions between biological objects and artificial parts, to analyse the biocompatibility of artificial materials and/or to increase knowledge about biological cells. Some interaction studies between cells and artificial objects require to positioning very small objects whose typical size is comparable with ce...

The scanning electron microscope is becoming a popular tool to perform tasks that require positioning, manipulation, characterization, and assembly of micro-components. However, some of these applications require a higher level of performance with respect to dynamics and precision of positioning. One limiting factor is the presence of unidentified noises and disturbances. This work aims to stud...

In this work, a new combined vision technique (CVT) is proposed, comprehensively developed, and experimentally tested for stable, precise unmanned micro aerial vehicle (MAV) pose estimation. The CVT combines two measurement methods (multiand mono-view) based on different constraint conditions. These constraints are considered simultaneously by the particle filter framework to improve the accura...

Employing a group of independently controlled flying micro air vehicles (MAVs) for aerial coverage missions, instead of a single flying robot, increases the robustness and efficiency of the missions. Designing a group of MAVs requires addressing new challenges, such as inter-robot collision avoidance and formation control, where individual’s knowledge about the relative location of their local ...