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One aspect of a growing VR industry that developers have to face is the ethics behind the technology. This includes making sure that technology is readily available and accessible to as large of a population as possible. Current consumer virtual reality (VR) headsets typically utilize two controllers to navigate a virtual environment, leading to accessibility issues for potential users that cannot effectively operate a controller. We propose NaVRgate, a proof of concept idea that removes the need for controllers in which a user uses expressions to navigate a virtual environment. The system utilizes the computer webcam and computer vision face and eye position tracking to capture the nature of expression tracking, with certain positional thresholds representing different facial expressions. To test this system, We design a game environment where a user navigates with either a controller or the face position tracker, collecting a set of orbs scattered around the map as quickly as they can, comparing the efficiency between navigation through the novel computer vision and traditional controller methods. Users are also questioned on the difficulty of use and experience with each control input method. This paper details the process of the development and drafts, to the statistical experiment constructed to determine the efficiency of head gestures.

This paper presents an obstacle detection and avoidance of mobile robot using stereo camera for indoor environment. Block matching algorithm is solved the correspondence problem occurred in comparing stereo images (left and right sensors of the camera). The algorithm uses Sum of Absolute Differences (SAD). Left image works as a reference block to the right image and the output is disparity mapping or depth maps with the left coordinate system. A pair of camera or stereo vision baseline is based on horizontal configuration. The block matching technique is briefly described with the performance of its output. The curve fitting tool would determine the range of each obstacle detected in disparity mapping. The programming activities are using Matlab software starting from capturing images until navigation of mobile robot.

This article proposes a batch-mode algorithm to handle the large databases generated from experimentations using probe vehicles. This algorithm can locate raw Global Positioning System (GPS) positions on a map, but can also be used to correct map-matching errors introduced by real time map-matching algorithms. For each journey, the algorithm globally searches for the closest path to the GPS positions, and so is inspired from the “path to path” algorithm's family. It uses the Multiple Hypothesis Technique (MHT) and relies on an innovative weighting system based on the area between the GPS points and the arcs making up the path. For high performance, the algorithm uses an iterative program and the data is stored in tree form.

Abstract—The paper tackles the problem of designing intuitive graphical interfaces for selecting navigational targets for an autonomous robot. Our work focuses on the design and validation of such a flexible interface for an intelligent wheelchair navigating in a large indoor environment. We begin by describing the robot platform and interface design. We then present results from a user study in which participants were required to select navigational targets using a variety of input and filtering methods. We considered two types of input modalities (point-and-click and single-switch), to investigate the effect of constraints on the input mode. We take a particular look at the use of filtering methods to reduce the amount of information presented onscreen and thereby accelerate selection of the correct option. I.

The paper describes the use of latent semantic analysis and intelligent agents as means of supporting learning network users with their needs. These include the need to position themselves in the network, to navigate between activity nodes, to acquire support for content bound questions.

Visual impairment and blindness caused by infectious diseases has been greatly reduced, but increasing numbers of people are at risk of age-related visual impairment. Visual information is the basis for most navigational tasks, so visually impaired individuals are at disadvantage because appropriate information about the surrounding environment is not available. With the recent advances in inclusive technology it is possible to extend the support given to people with visual impairment during their mobility. In this context we propose a system, named SmartVision, whose global objective is to give blind users the ability to move around in unfamiliar environments, whether indoor or outdoor, through a user friendly interface. This paper is focused mainly in the development of the computer vision module of the SmartVision system.

"Formar a buenos marinos era una tarea ardua en la Andalucía de la Edad Moderna, ya que un marino necesitaba navegar durante varios años para llegar a dominar su oficio. Además, las duras condiciones de vida en la mar, los bajos salarios y la alta mortalidad alejaban a los individuos de esta profesión. Los pilotos de la escuela de navegación del Colegio de San Telmo fueron un elemento clave en la seguridad del tráfico marítimo entre la metrópoli y las colonias. También participaron en batallas navales contra las potencias enemigas, en especial con los ingleses.
https://expobus.us.es/html/santelmo

Training able seamen was an arduous task in Modern Age Andalusia given that a mariner had to spend several years at sea to hone his craft. Besides, the harsh conditions of life at sea, the low wages and high mortality deterred individuals from joining this profession. Pilots graduating from the navigation school of San Telmo were a key element in the increased safety of maritime traffic between the metropole and the colonies. They also participated in naval warfare against enemy states, especially the British.
https://expobus.us.es/html/santelmo

Entering middle school can cause apprehension for young adolescents who face many cognitive, physical, social, and emotional changes. A quantitative, descriptive study was designed to identify and explain the concerns of rising sixth graders (n = 225) regarding their transition to the middle grades. Survey data were analyzed with regard to gender, race, and school type (i.e., inner city, urban, suburban, and rural). Undressing in front of others for P.E. was the most frequently rated area of high concern. There was a significant effect of gender on the level of concern for getting lost, changing clothes for P.E., peer pressure, being bullied, and academic performance. There was a significant effect of race on the level of concern for using a locker, having enough time to eat lunch, and going to the restroom. There was a significant effect of school type on the level of concern for making friends, belonging to the right clubs and groups, getting lost, having enough time to eat lunch,...

Recently, autonomous mobile robots have gained popularity in the modern world due to their relevance technology and application in real world situations. The global market for mobile robots will grow significantly over the next 20 years. Autonomous mobile robots are found in many fields including institutions, industry, business, hospitals, agriculture as well as private households for the purpose of improving day-today activities and services. The development of technology has increased in the requirements for mobile robots because of the services and tasks provided by them, like rescue and research operations, surveillance, carry heavy objects and so on. Researchers have conducted many works on the importance of robots, their uses, and problems. This article aims to analyze the control system of mobile robots and the way robots have the ability of moving in real-world to achieve their goals. It should be noted that there are several technological directions in a mobile robot industry. It must be observed and integrated so that the robot functions properly: Navigation systems, localization systems, detection systems (sensors) along with motion and kinematics and dynamics systems. All such systems should be united through a control unit; thus, the mission or work of mobile robots are conducted with reliability.

Recent navigation systems integrating GPS with Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Inertial Measuring Units (IMUs) have shown promising results for several applications based on low-cost devices such as vehicular and personal navigation. However, as a trend in the navigation market, some applications require further reductions in size and cost. To meet such requirements, a MEMS full IMU configuration (three gyros and three accelerometers) may be simplified. In this context, different partial IMU configurations such as one gyro plus three accelerometers or one gyro plus two accelerometers could be investigated. The main challenge in this case is to develop a specific navigation algorithm for each configuration since this is a time-consuming and costly task. In this paper, a universal approach for processing any MEMS sensor configuration for land vehicular navigation is introduced. The proposed method is based on the assumption that the omitted sensors provide relatively less navi...

Intelligent vehicles are replacing conventional vehicles because these offer many advantages. For such vehicles to work successfully, self position of vehicle is of utmost priority. Localization of intelligent vehicles covers lot many methods. The methods are progressively improving for accurate localization. Wireless signals, markers based localization and RFID tag based localization are some of many methods used for localization. In this paper, GPS is used to localize an intelligent vehicle and vision based methods are used in accurate and efficient localization of intelligent vehicles

Semantic data browsing is important task for open and governmental data in behalf of public control. There are many projects and solutions regarding semantic data browsing and navigation, but despite the fact, in Slovakia, the availability of such data is poor. It is a shame, because projects like National Action Plan of Open Government and the site data.gov.sk are already operating for several years. In this work we would like to point out key aspects of semantic data and detail the Slovak market of semantic data. We design and propose our solution of semantic data browsing, evaluate the implementation in our AGECRT NET tool.

3D map for mobile devices provide more realistic view of an environment and serves as better navigation aid. Previous research studies shows differences in 3D maps effect on acquiring of spatial knowledge. This is attributed to the differences in mobile device computational capabilities. Crucial to this, is the time it takes for 3D map dataset to be rendered for a required complete navigation task. Different findings suggest different approach on solving the problem of time require for both in-core (inside mobile) and out-core (remote) rendering of 3D dataset. Unfortunately, studies on analytical techniques required to shows the impact of computational resources required for the use of 3D map on mobile device were neglected by the research communities. This paper uses Support Vector Machine (SVM) to analytically classify mobile device computational capabilities required for 3D map that will be suitable for use as navigation aid. Fifty different Smart phones were categorized on the b...

This paper presents new, fast hardware for computing the exponential function, sine, and cosine. The main new idea is to use low-precision arithmetic components to approximate high precision computations, and then to correct very quickly the approximation error periodically so that the effect is to get high precision computation at near low-precision speed. The algorithm used in the paper is a nontrivial modification of the well-known CORDIC algorithm, and might be applicable to the computation of other functions than the ...

The increasing demand for up-to-date 3-D geographic information systems (GIS) in planning, transportation, and utility management applications poses significant challenges to the Geomatics community. Of all the challenges in acquiring, building, maintaining, and using GIS, none is more central than that of dala acquisition. Obtaining the required spatial and attribute data by conventional methods such as aerial photogrammetry and terrestrial surveying is expensive, slow, or inaccurate. These methods are, therefore, not well suited for rapid updating. Fortunately, however, the development of land-based mobile mapping systems (MMS) has opened a new avenue to meet these challenges. Land-based MMS are capable of providing fast, efficient, cost-effective and complete data acquisition. As such, they are an innovative technology for creating and updating 3-D GIS databases both quickly and inexpensively. Basically, MMS are based on integrated navigation systems, mainly the integration of GP...