In this paper, we present an algorithm for autonomous stair climbing with a tracked vehicle. The proposed method achieves robust performance under real-world conditions, without assuming prior knowledge of the stair geometry, the dynamics of the vehicle’s interaction with the stair surface, or lighting conditions. Our approach relies on fast and accurate estimation of the robot’s heading and it...

Experts have advocated exercise with little success, and have turned to encouraging physical activity by incorporating it into daily activities such as taking the stairs over elevators. Much literature exists suggesting that environmental prompts can encourage the use of stairs and literature has established that some messages may be more effective than others. This study aimed to assess the ef...

Balanced nesting is the most usual form of nesting and originates, when used singly or with crossing of such sub-models, orthogonal models. In balanced nesting we are forced to divide repeatedly the plots and we have few degrees of freedom for the first levels. If we apply stair nesting we will have plots all of the same size rendering the designs easier to apply. The stair nested designs are a...

Balanced nesting is the most usual form of nesting and originates, when used singly or with crossing of such sub-models, orthogonal models. In balanced nesting we are forced to divide repeatedly the plots and we have few degrees of freedom for the first levels. If we apply stair nesting we will have plots all of the same size rendering the designs easier to apply. The stair nested designs are a...

BACKGROUND Stair climbing is a challenging task to the elderly being the task with the first complaint in patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Stair climbing results in around six times more compressive load transmitted through the knee joint than walking on level ground. The purpose of this study was to assess whether lateral wedge insoles would reduce medial compartment knee lo...

Reinforced concrete stair slabs with mid landings i.e. Dog-legged shaped are conventionally designed as per specifications of standard codes of practices which guide about the effective span according to the varying support conditions. Presently, the behavior of such slabs has been investigated using Finite Element method. A single flight stair slab with landings on both sides and supported at ...

BACKGROUND Loss of muscle strength exerts a considerable impact on the quality of life and mortality of older adults. The present household survey study measured body composition and muscle strength with the aim of analyzing the roles of low lean mass, low muscle strength and obesity in stair negotiation ability and the effect of comorbidities on the relationship between body composition and fu...

Whole-body vibration training using single-frequency methods has been reported to improve bone mineral density. However, the intensities can exceed safe levels and have drawn unfavorable comments from subjects. In a previous article, whole-body vibration training using multiple vibration displacements at multiple vibration frequencies (MVDMVF) was reported. This article presents the computation...