We propose an alternative to the common approaches to the topological segmentation in structured or unstructured environments, Contour-Based Segmentation. It is faster and equally accurate, without the need of fine tuning parameters or heuristics. During robotic exploration, we propose an incremental version that reduces the processing time by reusing the previous segmentation. Tests demonstrate the velocity and quality in room segmentation in both batch and incremental mode. Tests also demonstrate the incremental version outperforms the state of the art in incremental topological segmentation.

In this work we address the problem of trajectory planning in Graph SLAM. We propose the use of Expected Value of the Final Uncertainty, which summarizes all the possible uncertainties that should be considered. In fully explored environments, this is used to determine the most reliable path to the final position. In partially explored environments, this criteria quantifies the reliability of the path planned in the free space. Tests demonstrate its ability to avoid unreliable paths in fully explored environments as compared to other uncertainty based criteria. In the exploration scenario, potential paths not present in the original graph are proposed using Voronoi Diagram of the space ahead observed by the sensors. A cost function is proposed considering the length of the path as well as the expected final uncertainty, thus including potentially shorter, but still reliable paths. Tests demonstrate the shortest path is preferred as long as it contains loop closures with low uncertainty.

Bilateral Control by States Convergence is a novel and little exploited control strategy that has been successfully applied to the teleoperation of robotic manipulators using SISO control. Based on the state space representation, the main philosophy of this control strategy consists in achieving convergence of states between the master and the slave, by setting the dynamical behavior of the master-slave error as a states-independent autonomous system. This paper presents a generalization of this strategy to MIMO systems, with time delay in the master-slave communication channels. It is demonstrated how the feedback gains required by the state convergence control schema can be found by solving a set of ((m × n) + (m × m) + n ) nonlinear equations for a system with m inputs, n states and m outputs. Unlike previous research, which has been applied only to manipulators considering 1-DOF for the states-convergence control loop, the extension to the general MIMO case has allowed to apply the technique to the teleoperation of a 2-DOF helicopter. A decoupling network and states-feedback are used for local control, while the states-convergence control manages the bilateral issues. Simulation results are presented, showing a satisfactory performance of the control strategy.

This paper presents the development of a biomechatronic knee prosthesis for transfemoral amputees. This kind of prostheses are considered `intelligent' because they are able to automatically adapt their response at the knee axis, as a natural knee does. This behavior is achieved by characterizing the amputee's gait through the signals captured with instrumentation of a prosthesis, which provides feedback about its current state along the gait cycle and therefore responds with the corresponding control action. In this case, unlike other commercially available intelligent knee prostheses, gait cycle characterization is based on accelerometers signals processed by an events detection algorithm. Two intelligent control strategies are presented: a bio-inspired approach, that consists of using a central pattern generator to generate a knee angle reference to be followed by the prosthesis during walking, and an adaptive scheme, that applies a control action proportional to the knee angle according to an auto-adaptive parameter dependant on gait speed. The mechanical design of the prosthesis is also presented, showing the knee joint mechanism and part of the manufacturing process. Results obtained from walking tests with both able body and amputees are shown, demonstrating the positive performance of the prosthesis in several aspects. Future works aimed at a finished product are also stated.