Ramón Alcarria

Process execution in humanized Cyber-physical systems: Soft processes

One of the most common applications for Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) is process execution. Nowadays, different description languages are employed in order to define, command and control the execution of processes using the elements making up a CPS. However, this approach creates rigid (or hard) processes, which are only valid in certain scenarios. The inclusion of legacy systems, new Industry 4.0 devices and, overall, humans as part of CPS, has caused the appearance of new paradigms which cannot be addressed with traditional execution techniques. Therefore, in this paper a new type of (soft) processes, designed to be employed in humanized CPS, is presented. The proposal is based on the concept of strain, which is used to determine if a deformable process has been correctly executed. Finally an experimental validation is provided in order to evaluate the performance of the proposed technology.

Digital Food Product Traceability: Using Blockchain in the International Commerce

Food products are one of most important elements in the international commerce. They are also one of the most regulated markets, both at national and international level. The potential damage that inadequate food products may cause in the economy, public health or natural environment of any country turns them into a very controlled commercial flow. However, methodologies, processes and instruments to apply these controls and trace the flow of food products through the several countries and states they can pass, are very complex and inefficient. Cultural and administrate problems, language conflicts or lost documents are only some of the main issues future digital food technologies should address. Therefore, in this paper it is proposed a traceability system for food products in the international commerce, based on Blockchain networks and RFID tags. Using REST interfaces, NoSQL databases and JavaScript code it is implemented a distributed solution to collect, sign and store trustworthy information about the food product flow. A security system is also deployed to guarantee the fault-resilience and the access only by authorized users to the system. A first implementation of the proposed system is also described in order to validate the described solution.

IMPROVING THE TUTORIAL ACTION THROUGH THE EMPLOYMENT OF SOCIAL NETWORKS AND WEB 2.0 TOOLS: A STUDY CASE

New society members are used to a faster communication method, which is also less formal than during previous periods. In fact, this is one of the keys to understand the current decline in student satisfaction in relation to tutoring at universities: traditional tutoring sessions do not fulfil the needs of a new generation which does not have to wait for information. However, communication channels nowadays are more ubiquitous than ever, which is a real opportunity to design more effective tutorial plans. During the second term of the year 2016/17 at the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid a pilot experience was carried out. A platform based on IFTTTT rules connecting different social networks was created to communicate students and professors. This platform allowed the definition of working groups, subjects, classrooms, virtual debriefing sessions, etc. Results showed a relevant improvement in the new students’ satisfaction.