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Mechatronic systems become ever more complex because of their increasing number of interconnected safety critical components and sophistication. MBSE (Model‐based Systems Engineering) and MBSA (Model‐Based Safety Assessment) are the most commonly adopted approaches to deal with the design and safety analysis of mechatronic systems. Unfortunately, both approaches are normally adopted separately, especially in the earlier phases of system design, thus leading to a lack of communication between system engineers and the safety team. This work aims to fill that gap at a high level, that is, through process interaction. This paper proposes an enhanced V‐model for the design of safety‐critical mechatronic systems. It relates a system development process with specific safety assessment methods. Specifically, the proposed workflow details exchange flows between the RFLP (Requirements, Functional, Logical, Physical) method, the FHA (Functional Hazard Analysis), the FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), the MBSA and simulation, and the FTA (Fault Tree Analysis). These analyses are complemented with multiphysics modeling and simulation to observe system behavior in functional and failure scenarios, with the aim of requirements verification. The design workflow has been applied to a winged Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to apply the parallel process and the necessary interaction of MBSE and MBSA approaches. The information flows between the individual activities proved effective for designing a safe system before the verification phase. The main benefit of the proposed workflow is providing both the design and safety team with some interaction points, thus avoiding a lack of safety‐critical analysis in the early phases of system design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of biomechanical modeling, the development of a prosthetic hand with dexterity comparable to the human hand is a multidisciplinary challenge involving complex mechatronic systems, intuitive control schemes, and effective body interfaces. Most current commercial prostheses offer limited functionality, typically only one or two degrees of freedom (DoF), resulting in reduced user adoption due to discomfort and lack of functionality. This research aims to design a computationally efficient low-level control algorithm for prosthetic hand fingers to be able to (a) accurately manage finger positions, (b) anticipate future information, and (c) minimize power consumption. The methodology employed is known as model-based predictive control (MBPC) and starts with the application of linear identification techniques to model the system dynamics. Then, the identified model is used to implement a generalized predictive control (GPC) algorithm, which optimizes the control effort and system performance. A test bench is used for experimental validation, and the results demonstrate that the proposed control scheme significantly improves the prosthesis' dexterity and energy efficiency, enhancing its potential for daily use by people with hand loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling of various phenomena in engineering work is always a kind of simplification of real processes, aiming at a model where a certain level of mathematical theory and computational procedures is sufficient. If the complexity of the required theory corresponds to the general mathematical competence of engineers, then technical problems can be treated separately in engineering (or physical) models without regard to the mathematical background. However, in some advanced engineering fields, the harmonized development of engineering and mathematical models and toolboxes is necessary to find efficient solutions. For example, modeling variable structure systems in ideal sliding mode requires a mathematical toolbox that goes far beyond general engineering competence through the theory of discontinuous right-hand-side differential equations. Although sliding mode control is popular in practice and the concept of sliding mode allows a significant reduction of model complexity, its exact mathematical description is rarely encountered. The problem of friction compensation of a micro-telemanipulator using sliding mode control demonstrates a harmonized application of the mathematical and engineering approaches. Based on Filippov's theory, the ideal sliding mode can be discussed. Although an ideal system cannot be implemented in reality, the real systems can be kept close enough to it; therefore, the discussion of the solution of the ideal model is important for practical applications. Although several elements of the topic are available in the literature, in this paper a unique complex approach is given for users of sliding mode control with experimental considerations, different engineering models, and codes. The paper concludes that sliding mode control is a case where engineering and mathematical modeling are inseparable and requires the competence of both fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial automation has played a pivotal role towards improvement of productivity, efficiency, working conditions, ergonomics and reduction of health hazards. While a large portion of industrial sectors and processes have or can be automated, certain domains serve as unexplored ground due to the complexity of the processes to be executed, size and material properties of the parts of interest and available space, which highlight the need for new automation technology. In this paper, a systematic classification of product complexity and common industrial processes versus the use of conventional and bio-inspired robots is presented, aiming to identify the benefits of bio-inspired robots over their conventional competitors. Moreover, a novel cable-driven snake robot design is presented, featuring a modular lightweight structure of several segments, each of them controlled by a 3-cable mechanism, providing them 2 degrees of freedom. It exhibits significant potential to demonstrate high levels of versatility in navigating inside intricate, confined environments and narrow passages, such as aircraft fuel tanks, enabling automation of unhealthy processes that traditionally require human intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, a parallel continuum manipulator for trunk rehabilitation tasks for patients who have suffered a stroke was analyzed and redesigned. The manipulator had to perform active assistance exercises for the motor recovery of the patient. Based on this background, a series of requirements were defined, which determined the design framework during the modeling of the manipulator. Finally, an improved prototype was built and tested to verify that the model can properly characterize the behavior of the manipulator. Such tests were carried out using a self-made dummy that replicates the simplifying hypotheses and conditions assumed in the mathematical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the rapid advancement of digital technologies has driven a profound transformation in both individual lives and business operations. The integration of Industry 4.0 with advanced mechatronic systems is at the forefront of this digital transformation, reshaping the landscape of smart manufacturing. This article explores the convergence of digital technologies and physical systems, with a focus on the critical role of mechatronics in enabling this transformation. Using technologies such as advanced robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics, industries are developing intelligent and interconnected systems capable of real-time data exchange, distributed decision making, and automation. The paper further explores two case studies: one on a smart plastic injection moulding machine and another on soft robots. These examples illustrate the synergies, benefits, challenges, and future potential of integrating mechatronics with Industry 4.0 technologies. Ultimately, this convergence fosters the development of smart factories and products, enhancing manufacturing efficiency, adaptability, and productivity, while also contributing to sustainability by reducing waste, optimising resource usage, and lowering the environmental impact of industrial production. This marks a significant shift in industrial production towards more sustainable practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contact interaction of complex-profile elements of machine-building structures is in many cases a factor that determines the performance, durability, load capacity and other characteristics of the product as a whole. The paper describes a variational formulation of the problem of contact interaction of bodies. The purpose of the work is to improve the variational formulation of the problem of the contact interaction of elastic-plastic bodies under perturbances in the shape of nominally matching contact surfaces and the properties of the surface layers of the material. The contact of bodies along congruent surfaces is studied. In addition, the modification of these surfaces is considered. The problem is reduced to a variational inequality. The roughness of the surface layers of contacting bodies is taken into account. Plastic deformations of these bodies' materials are also taken into account. It was established that the distribution of contact pressure is significantly uneven. It was also found that by modifying the geometric shape of the contacting surfaces, it is possible to achieve a reduction in the level of contact pressure. In addition, a similar effect is observed when reducing the contact roughness of the surface layers of the materials of the contacting bodies. In the presence of a set of factors taken into account (disturbance of nominally coincident surfaces, influence of surface layers' roughness and elastic-plastic deformation of the materials of the contacting bodies), the resulting effect exceeds those of each of the effects. Therefore, by means of certain constructive and technological measures, it is possible to significantly improve the conditions of contact interaction between bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pipeline transportation is one of the common methods in the industrial field. Due to the diverse requirements of pipeline diameter and type, pipeline maintenance and inspection pose significant challenges with high labor costs and associated risks. To address maintenance and maintenance issues for pipelines of different diameters and types, an articulated variable-diameter pipe climbing robot was designed. The climbing pattern of the pipe climbing robot was studied, and a novel tightening mechanism was designed by replacing rotation with movement to increase the range of diameter variation. A gear-driven flipping mechanism was designed to stabilize the flipping mechanism. From aspects such as gripping force, forward and backward movement, rotation, and obstacle-crossing posture, an analysis of the obstacle-crossing characteristics of the articulated variable-diameter pipe climbing robot was conducted. The analysis indicated that the articulated variable-diameter pipe climbing robot can flexibly traverse various types of pipelines to complete obstacle-crossing actions. In the analysis process, in order to stabilize the robot's movement, a statics analysis of the drive wheel bracket was conducted, and the mechanical structure of the bracket was optimized to make the prototype's overall structure more reasonable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variable valve actuation (VVA) systems based on electromechanical valve actuators (EMVAs) enable a flexible operation and management of internal combustion engines that results in a reduction of pollutant emission and fuel consumption while improving engine power and efficiency. However, to achieve the benefits promised by EMVAs, it is of utmost importance to guarantee the catch of the valve by the system magnets with an acceptable impact speed of the valve at the end‐strokes. Valve catching failures can severely damage engine valves while high impact speeds induce mechanical wear and unacceptable noise. The soft landing control of the valve at the end‐strokes is challenging because of system nonlinearities, parameter uncertainties, and external disturbances. The complexity of the control design increases further when industrial cost‐effective solutions are sought. This paper presents a novel solution for reducing the impact speed of the valve without the use of costly position valve sensors. The proposed solution leverages on a small hydraulic damper (HD) embedded into the EMVA and a feedback cycle‐by‐cycle controller. The passive element reduces the impact speed while the controller adjusts at every engine cycle the EMVA coil currents based on pressure peaks detected in the HD to guarantee valve catching while steering the impact speed toward its minimum. The design of the controller exploits a physics‐based model that maps the pressure peak in the HD onto the impact speed and a gradient descent algorithm is adopted searching the minimum. The closed‐loop permanence is assessed in simulation by using an experimentally validated EMVA model and considering detailed dynamics of the HD. Numerical results show the ability of the proposed control architecture to reduce the impact speed and its robustness to parameters variations (oil temperature) and external disturbances (gas pressure forces). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement of smart sensors, wireless communication technologies, embedded system and Nano-technologies makes Textronics possible to develop smart textiles to monitor activities in modern applications; in addition to form a significant of Internet of Things (IoT) by connecting smart electronic textiles securely for regular applications such as healthcare, sports, automobile, and defense. This paper reviews the recent advances in E-textiles and smart textile and Textronics, and identifies the relationship between Textronics and mechatronics, and nano-technologies, soft computing and signal lines, in addition to describe the connecting between Textronics system designs, developments, and evaluation techniques. Textronics react to physical parameters along with other features, and make combine between the electronic and smart textiles using textile-based sensors, electrodes and other smart devices and materials. Research and development investments will foster the adoption of novel Textronics applications as sustainable and cost-effective solutions with light-weight, high-performance wearable devices and products for monitoring a wide range of activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Dokuz Eylul University Muhendislik Faculty of Engineering Journal of Science & Engineering / Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Fen ve Mühendislik Dergisi is the property of Dokuz Eylul Universitesi Muhendislik Fakultesi Fen ve Muhendislik Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article examines the essential role of STEM education in mechatronics, emphasizing its impact on developing youth and students. As nations recognize the necessity of preparing future generations for a technology-driven workforce, initiatives are being introduced to align higher education with Industry 4.0 demands. Through interdisciplinary projects and innovative methods, students gain vital skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The paper highlights successful educational programs and discusses the integration of STEM and mechatronic principles in curricula, promoting critical thinking and collaboration. It also reviews government initiatives in countries such as China, the United States, and Romania that aim to enhance STEM competencies, serving as catalysts for societal growth and innovation toward a prosperous future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Machine Tool & Hydraulics is the property of Guangzhou Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (GMERI) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Physical disabilities significantly impact individuals' ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL), leading to reduced autonomy and difficulty to accomplish daily living tasks. One such barrier is the difficulty or inability to open doors, preventing access to different rooms in their residence (bathroom, bedroom, etc.), rooms at work, or shopping areas. Existing solutions, such as robotic arms on wheelchairs and door openers mounted at the top of doors, remain expensive, complex to install, and relatively difficult for the target population to use. Addressing this challenge, this study introduces a Robotic Wheel Door Opener System (RWDOS) designed to facilitate the opening and closing of the door. The RWDOS is installed at the bottom of a door and is controlled remotely through a smartphone application. The paper presents the mechanical design and control system along with a cost analysis. It concludes with initial results and outlines the future directions for the project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the challenge of efficiently peeling pineapples, which have a distinct elliptical form, thick skin, and small eyes that are difficult to detect with conventional automated methods. This results in significant flesh waste. To improve the process, we developed an integrated system combining an enhanced BlendMask method, termed SAAF-BlendMask, and a Pose Correction Planning (PCP) method. SAAF-BlendMask improves the detection of small pineapple eyes, while PCP ensures accurate posture adjustment for precise path planning. The system uses 3D vision and deep learning technologies, achieving an average precision (AP) of 73.04% and a small object precision (APs) of 62.54% in eye detection, with a path planning success rate reaching 99%. The fully automated electromechanical system was tested on 110 real pineapples, demonstrating a reduction in flesh waste by 11.7% compared to traditional methods. This study highlights the potential of advanced machine vision and robotics in enhancing the efficiency and precision of food processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A remotely-controlled wetland paddy seeder (RCWPS) with a mechatronic seed-metering device was developed for precise sowing of pre-germinated paddy seeds in wet puddled field. The RCWPS, powered by a 180 W DC motor, utilized two lugged wheels for propulsion. Linear actuator-controlled dog clutch was connected with each wheel to discontinue the power supply while turning. The four-row seed metering unit comprised a seed metering plate with holes at 200 mm spacing, actuated by a solenoid. The diameter of the metering plate hole, operating speed, and speed of agitation were maintained at 11.18 mm, 0.84 km h−1, and 37 rpm, respectively. This comparative study assessed its performance and operational costs at 1/3rd and 2/3rd seed filling levels under puddled conditions, comparing it to a conventional drum seeder. At 2/3rd seed filling, RCWPS demonstrated 96% feed index quality, no multiple index, 4% missing index, 85.46% hill-distribution uniformity coefficient, and 72.45% seed dropping uniformity coefficient. Meanwhile, the values observed for drum seeder were 78.33%, 6.67%, 15%, 69.85%, and 60.94%, respectively. Similar results were observed at 1/3rd filling level. It showed better quality seed-dropping with RCWPS compared to the conventional drum seeder at all degrees of seed filling. The total cost for seeding per hectare of land with RCWPS and drum seeder were found to be 28.05 USD and 12.77 USD, respectively and the break-even point were found 0.54 ha year−1 and 0.038 ha year−1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modularization is one of the most robust methods that industries use to profit. This technique allows Operational Research to manage complex systems by efficiently dividing them into smaller ones and thus lowering the affiliated risks and costs. Mechatronic products are complex systems associated with diverse disciplines, laborious to compose and decompose, and can benefit from modularization. In this research, Partitioning Around Medoids (PAM), Ward’s method, Divisive ANAlysis (DIANA), and Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithms are utilized in combination with Design Structure Matrices (DSM) to cluster 175 test subjects, and their results are compared using four validation techniques. Agglomerative Coefficient (AC), Divisive Coefficient (DC), Silhouette Coefficient (SC), Composed Density between and within clusters (CDbw), and the visual inspection of two-dimensional representations of each algorithm's clustering results are the validation techniques used in this research to find the most suitable algorithm for clustering such intricate systems. Additionally, other data that emerged from this research, such as time complexity, total execution time, and average RAM usage, are also used to evaluate the overall performance of each clustering algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kurt Magnus (1912–2003) is one of the personalities who shaped research and teaching in applied mechanics during the 20th century. Through his work with his doctoral supervisor Max Schuler at the University of Göttingen, gyrodynamics became his most important field of work, which also led to his research in oscillations, multi‐body systems, and mechatronics. Magnus made significant contributions in all these fields. He was regarded as a gifted lecturer, and the close connection between scientific research and practical application was important to him. Life and scientific work of Kurt Magnus were, however, also characterized by his 7‐year deportation to the USSR in 1946. Despite this fate, he was able to continue his research under certain restrictions during this time. After returning to Germany, he became Professor of Mechanics at the University of Stuttgart in 1958. His appointment coincided with the gradual resumption of industrial activities in Germany in the field of gyro technology—activities that had come to a standstill at the end of World War II. In the years that followed, Magnus' institute became the scientific center for gyrodynamics in Germany. The activities of that time are reflected in a preserved collection of gyro instruments for research and teaching as well as in the co‐founding of an annual international conference on inertial technology, which continues to this day. Magnus' subsequent move to the Technical University of Munich in 1966 did nothing to change this. At that time, he was regarded as a doyen of gyro technology. After a short biography of Kurt Magnus, the paper addresses the recent revision and digitization of the gyro instrument collection and presents an outline of the history of the conference series providing details on how gyro technology has developed since his work in Stuttgart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasping and object manipulation have been considered key domains of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) since the beginning of automation, as they are the most common interactions between systems, or a system and its environment. As the demand for automation is spreading to increasingly complex fields of industry, smart tools with sensors and internal decision-making become necessities. CPS, such as robots and smart autonomous machinery, have been introduced in the meat industry in recent decades; however, the natural diversity of animals, potential anatomical disorders and soft, slippery animal tissues require the use of a wide range of sensors, software and intelligent tools. This paper presents the development of a smart robotic gripper for deployment in the meat industry. A comprehensive review of the available robotic grippers employed in the sector is presented along with the relevant recent research projects. Based on the identified needs, a new mechatronic design and early development process of the smart gripper is described. The integrated force sensing method based on strain measurement and magnetic encoders is described, including the adjacent laboratory and on-site tests. Furthermore, a combined slip detection system is presented, which relies on an optical flow-based image processing algorithm using the video feed of a built-in endoscopic camera. Basic user tests and application assessments are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The innovative energy-efficient vending machine for use in urban environment, called SVIEE-R, have been developed in the global context of reducing energy consumption and using alternative energies. In the design and prototype building phase of the SVIEE-R we analysed energy consumption for several models of the product delivery subsystem. In order to optimise the energy consumption for the product delivery subsystem we also considered the mechatronic delivery system with a spiral for packaged products. Building an energy efficient mechatronic delivery system allows to increase the lifetime of energy independent vending machines and concerning vending machines supplied from the public electricity grid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The use of modern design software allowed the analyse of the functioning of the mechatronic spiral systems from the design stage. The paper presents the research undertaken for the energy efficiency of the mechatronic spiral system using simulations of the operation validated through functional tests using a stand made by modern manufacturing technologies (laser cutting, 3D printing). The tests carried out were mainly aimed at evaluating the energy consumption of mechatronic spiral delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a method for determining the transmission efficiency of a gear reducer. The proposed method contains an identification theory to derive a dynamical model of motors. Using the identification theory, we propose a method to measure the torque transmission efficiency of the gear reducer. The identification theory is derived from the error between input and output data of the mathematical model of a target plant and actual time series data of the plant by an experiment. The dynamic characteristics of the gear reducer are calculated by identification theory for a system installing the motors. The target plant means a motor or a combined system consisting of the motor and the gear reducer. We discuss the torque constant as one parameter that determines motor characteristics. The torque constant value of the motor can be determined using the identification theory. Then, the torque transmission efficiency of the gear reducer can be decided by the torque constant value. In this paper, we first explain the algorithm of the identification theory, second discuss the results of identifying the motor torque constant, and finally examine the transmission efficiency of the gear reducer in the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road safety continues to be a critical issue, especially for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians walking across the road at a place designated for the purpose. The most effective method of safety improvement at pedestrian crossings is to install traffic lights to control traffic. Such a solution cannot be used anywhere, however, due to the risk of the lack of flow capacity, especially in the area of nearby junctions. Therefore, persons responsible for traffic safety look for alternatives to improve the situation at pedestrian crossings. To meet the expectations of those persons, this article proposes mechatronic systems which are worth installing at selected pedestrian crossings to improve safety and reduce the number of traffic incidents involving vulnerable people. Three pedestrian crossings, considered dangerous by the authors, and located in the town of Nowy Sącz, were taken for analysis. Among the safety features, the use of an active sign informing of a pedestrian crossing, reflective elements and LED lights embedded in asphalt, as well as active pedestrian crossing illumination, are suggested. The proposed solutions are distinguished by low operating costs, as energy needed to power those solutions is obtained from photovoltaic panels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we introduce a new type of human-inspired upper-limb prostheses. The Artificial Neuromuscular Prosthesis (ANP) imitates the human neuromuscular system in the sense of its compliance, backdrivability, natural motion, proprioceptive sensing, and kinesthetics. To realize this challenging goal, we introduce a novel human-inspired and simulation-based development paradigm to design the prosthesis mechatronics in correspondence to the human body. The ANP provides body awareness, contact awareness, and human-like contact response, realized via floating base rigid-body models, disturbance observers, and joint impedance control—concepts known from established state-of-the-art robotics. The ANP mechatronics is characterized by a four degrees of freedom (dof) torque-controlled human-like kinematics, a tendon-driven 2-dof wrist, and spatial orientation sensing at a weight of 1.7 kg (without hand and battery). The paper deals with the rigorous mathematical modeling, control, design and evaluation of this device type along initially defined requirements within a single prototype only. The proposed systemic and grasping capabilities are verified under laboratory conditions by an unimpaired user. Future work will increase the technology readiness level of the next generation device, where human studies with impaired users will be done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fundamental Mechatronics Research Institute at Osaka Electro-Communication University (MERI) has a research structure that includes five divisions. The institute conducts research on a wide variety of themes which cover a broad range of subjects. This paper introduces the institute's research activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the restructuring of the MECH 532 Design of Mechatronics Systems course at UAE University, a response tailored to the educational challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This course synthesis incorporated a Project-Based Learning (PBL) strategy focused on the practical construction and programming of a rover, by using a blend of online lectures and in-person labs. By employing digital tools like 3D Creality software, Fusion 360, TinkerCad, and Arduino kits, the curriculum has been innovatively designed to bridge theoretical concepts with tangible applications, thereby increasing student engagement and enhancing practical skill development. The effectiveness of this approach has been analyzed through student projects, which have revealed significant improvements in their comprehension of complex systems and soft skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, and problem solving. The findings advocate for a broader integration of PBL into engineering education, propose strategies for educators and policymakers, and highlight the need for future research to explore the long-term professional outcomes of PBL and the potential of incorporating emerging technologies into the educational process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechatronic industry is currently subject to huge changes challenging it to offer products matching individual customer requirements at competitive prices. The design of such products calls for sophisticated and complex components integration following different technologies. Since we are on the cusp of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, in which the world of mechatronic production, network connectivity, the Internet of Things, and cyber-physical systems are correlated, the complexity of these systems increases exponentially, and we are talking about advanced mechatronic systems. To assist these changes, various methods, sweeping all project phases, are used by business houses. Predictive dependability assessment in the earlier design stage is considered a powerful metric used to evaluate the performances of different kinds of mechatronic products before the production phase. Altogether, dependability analysis ties the design directly to the desired functionality, operability, and integrity of the system. This paper explores an approach to assessing the dependability attributes, reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM), of repairable mechatronic systems based on timed colored Petri nets and a Monte Carlo simulation, integrating simultaneously diverse components technologies: mechanical, electronic, and software. The proposed approach is tested taking the case of a regenerative braking system. The methodology appears to be efficient for evaluating predictive RAM indicators (MTTFF, MTTR, MTBF...) for the whole system and for each individual component separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) impairs motor skills in children, particularly handwriting, which is a significant part of school activities and personal development. Current robotic assistants often lack a fully physical interaction or tangible result, thereby limiting their effectiveness in coordination development similar to handwriting. To address this gap, a robotic assistant capable of physical input and output could enhance development. This paper presents the development of a robotic handwriting assistant to aid children with DCD. The prototype is a planar robot controlled via a joystick capable of covering an 8.5" by 11" paper sheet. The paper provides insight into the causal real-world context of the prototype's development and discusses the designs considerations, the conception and the control. It concludes with intial results and the future for the project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]