Hafizan Hashim

Humanoid robot NAO: Review of control and motion exploration

Humanoids; a most intriguing subject to behold by both the engineers and the world at large. With the introduction of humanoid robot NAO by Aldebaran-Robotics in 2008, a performant biped robot is now available and affordable for research laboratories and the mass market. In this paper, an exploration of current trends in control methods of biped walks, behavior interface tools for motion control for NAO and imminent findings in both research areas are discussed. Future directions are for researchers to devise a unique controller with low power consumption without compromising the robots speed and robustness.

Face detection technique of Humanoid Robot NAO for application in robotic assistive therapy

This paper proposed a face detection method for tracking the faces of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a robotic assistive therapy. The face detection is a novel approach in robotic assistive therapy involving autistic children since it is believe that those children will positively react with high-end devices, gadget and cutting edge devices. The intention of tracking the autistic childrens faces is to measure the concentration level of the children in social interaction and communication since everyone knows that those children are suffering from communication disabilities and deficits due to brain developmental disorder. Humanoid Robot Nao with 573.2mm height equipped with 2 internal cameras is utilized for this research. The face detection tools in choregraphe and telepathe based on Graphical User Interface (GUI) module is used in this study. The non-verbal interaction between humanoid robot and autistic children is recorded by using 2 internal cameras from the robots head. The interaction is going to take about 30 minutes and supervised by occupational therapist and certified psychologist. The autistic children will be introduced to the Humanoid Robot Nao and their reaction will be recorded simultaneously while the robot is trying to track their faces.

Robots as Adjunct Therapy: Reflections and Suggestions in Rehabilitation for People with Cognitive Impairments

The expanding function of robots in rehabilitation has allowed for new intervention methods that are accurate, motivating and repetitive. By analyzing current state-of-the-art evidences, this paper proposes considerable necessities for robots to take part in the rehabilitation environments. Suggestions focus specifically on intervention for people affected by autism, Cerebral Palsy (CP) and dementia. Overall, a robot in human shape present advantages over other types of robots in autism and CP therapy context as it is physically suitable in imitation-based therapy. However, for elderly people affected with dementia, so far only robots in animal shape have been utilized in therapy and succeed to improve their mental functions.

Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) for Children with Autism to Augment Communication Skills

This paper presents a case study of robot-based intervention program for children with autism. The study focuses on two-way communication between children with autism and a humanoid robot NAO. The aim of this study is to develop a set of teaching and learning modules on communication through question type conversation and song-based approach. Module developed in this study is programmed using NAOs choregraphe, being imbedded later on and perform action. Both children participating in this study can communicate verbally and have been diagnosed with mild autism. Response from this exposure shows that the human toddler-like robot can be used as a platform to augment and facilitate communication effectively with children with autism.

Robot-Assisted to Elicit Behaviors for Autism Screening

Early screening and diagnosis of Autism spectrums is essential to determine the best means of early intervention program. Since there is no sign in biological for autism, screening and assessment must focus on the behavioral deficits. Somehow screening is not a diagnosis, but a filter that picks out children for subsequent assessment. The aim of this paper is to propose and to ignite discussion concerning robotic assisted in autism screening process to enable early diagnosis and intervention. This process combines (a) selection of an autism screening tool (b) refinement of screening subscales and (c) integration of subscales with robot action. We use Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-2 (GARS-2) inversely integrated with humanoid robot Nao to produce a counter action to elicit individual behaviours for screening and diagnosis purposes. In extracting of GARS-2, we had considered the limitation and sensitivity when a robot tries to assist in the process of screening and diagnosis. Integrating robotics into innovative treatments however highlighted the need for additional rigorous empirical studies with quantitative measurement.

Impact Response of Circular Tube with Concentric Plunger

Thin-walled tubes are generally used as impact energy absorber in various application due to their ease of fabrication and installation, high energy absorption capacity and long stroke. However, the main drawback of plain tube is the high initial peak force. A concentric plunger in the form of tapered block is proposed to overcome this shortcoming while at the same time, improving the impact performance. Static and dynamic axial crushing were performed to determine the initial peak force (IPF), crush force efficiency (CFE) and specific energy absorption (SEA) for the concentric plunger with various taper angles. It was found that the concentric plunger affected the tube impact response. Comparison with plain circular tube was carried out and it was found that the concentric plunger improved the impact response of the tube especially in term of initial peak force.

Active tendon vibration control of cantilevered beam using shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators

This paper demonstrates, theoretically and experimentally, the feasibility of utilizing Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) as an actuator in controlling the flexural vibrations of a flexible cantilevered beam. The shape memory alloy used in this study is merely a straight wire which is made of nickel titanium alloy called Nitinol. Acting as tendons, these SMAs undergo phase transformation, to the austenitic phase, producing significant forces and displacement capabilities as well as low power consumption. This actuator unit is composed of a SMA wire attached to a spring in series. After being set-up with a load cell the transfer functions of the actuator are measured. Considering the uncertainty of the actuator unit performance the H-infinity optimal controllers are designed and installed into the control system. By integrating the thermal and dynamic characteristics of the SMA into beam dynamical model the composite beam-actuators system can now be developed. The robust stability performance of the designed controller is evaluated through vibrational test on the cantilever and the result is shown to be adequately attenuated.