Small scale distributed robotic systems are ideal for tasks that larger, more expensive robots may not be able to undertake such as surveillance or inspection in enclosed areas. Small scale robots also have the advantage of being easily portable to an area of interest. However, the advantages related to the small size and portability cause an increase in the complexity of development. In additi...

A scalable object location service can enable users to search for various objects in an environment where many small, networked devices are attached to objects. We investigate two hierarchical, self-configuring or unattended approaches for an efficient object location service. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages based on the anticipated load. The first approach, SCOUT-AGG, is bas...

A case report about a small child scheduled to undergo brain Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging first and Computed Tomography (CT) scan next in the same session for coeliachia and possible associate malformative diseases is described. Only by chance the MR procedure has not been carried out, and the CT scan scout view revealed unexpectedly a metallic paper clip deeply embedded in a nasal fossa. Th...

When a distributed robotic system is assigned to perform reconnaissance or surveillance, restrictions inherent to the design of an individual robot limit the system’s performance in certain environments. Finding an ideal portable robotic platform capable of deploying and returning information in spatially restrictive areas is not a simple task. The Scout robot, developed at the University of Mi...

Different cardiac MR acquisition sequences have been used to obtain myocardial T1 values. Among which available techniques, MOdified Look-Locker Inversionrecovery (MOLLI) and inversion-recovery TrueFisp (TI scout) sequences are widely used in research and clinical settings. We compared myocardial T1 values derived from both MOLLI and TI scout techniques in the post gadolinium delayed enhancemen...

Introduction: Planning of bolus chase MR angiography (MRA) can be considerably optimized by the application of a vessel scout [1]. Recently, the concept of a time-offlight (TOF) non contrast enhanced (CE) vessel scout was presented which is based on the continuously moving table (CMT) acquisition of projection data [2]. This study presents advanced acquisition and data processing strategies for...

In contrast to the present Mars exploration missions future mission concepts ask for a fast and save traverse through vast and varied expanses of terrain. The goal of the FASTER1 project is to improve the mission safety and the effective traverse speed for planetary rover exploration by determining the traversability of the terrain and lowering the risk to enter hazardous areas. In order to ach...

Scout views are digital radiographs obtained to aid planning of the subsequent computed tomography (CT) examination. Review of these scout views may provide additional information not demonstrated on the axial images, but such reviews may not necessarily be performed routinely, especially in the context of abdominopelvic CT studies. We illustrate the value of the scout images by presenting a se...

Search and rescue operations in large disaster sites require quick gathering of relevant information. Both the knowledge of the location of victims and the environmental/structural conditions must be available to safely and efficiently guide rescue personnel. A major hurdle for robots in such scenarios is stairs. A system for autonomous surmounting of stairs is proposed in which a Scout robot j...

3 Results 5 3.1 Numerical phantom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 3.2 Projection acquisition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3.3 Estimation of ellipse parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3.4 Usage...