This paper presents the structure and operational principles of the Automatic Waterjet Positioning Vision System (PVS), which was implemented on the WaterJet (WJ) machine. Moreover, it presents an impact of calibration method on PVS performance. Two webcams mounted on the industrial WJ, form a basis of the system, and constitute its characteristics features. Together with the identification algorithm, the PVS was aimed for high accuracy positioning of the WJ machine. For this purpose, the two-step calibration procedure that uses a set of specific calibration color markers contrasted to the background, has been developed. The results analysis shows that, despite demanding environmental conditions, the proposed methodenables reliable high accuracy positioning of the WJ machine.

The paper presents a new Automatic Waterjet Positioning Vision System (AWPVS) and investigates components of workpiece positioning accuracy. The main purpose of AWPVS is to precisely identify the position and rotation of a workpiece placed on a waterjet machine table. Two webcams form a basis for the system, and constitute its characteristics. The proposed algorithm comprises various image processing techniques to assure a required identification precision. To validate the PVS identification quality, synthetic images were applied under various conditions. The analysis ascertains dependence of an object detection rate and accuracy on a size of cropping frame. Experimental results of the proposed PVS prototype prove that a combination of the vision algorithm and webcams is an alternative to dedicated expensive industrial vision systems. The two main components of AWPVS uncertainty, a machine component and PSV component are discerned and estimated.

Wireless sensor networks, WSN, for which development has begun by military applications, are nowadays applied to all human activities; e.g. in medicine for patience monitoring or to reduce the effects of disasters. Therefore, the WSNs area has been also one of the emerging and fast growing scientific fields. Increasing interest of WSNs is even caused by equally intense growth of interest in the Internet of Things domain, IoT, in which WSNs constitute a significant part. These reasons have brought about developing low cost, low-power and multi-function sensor nodes. However, the major fact that sensor nodes run quickly out of energy has been an issue and many energy efficient routing protocols have been proposed to solve this problem. Case study presented in this paper concern design of WSN in IoT concept from system lifetime perspective. A hierarchical routing technique, which shows energy efficiency, has been validated. Simulation results show that chosen technique prolongs the lifetime of the WSN compared to other investigated clustering schemes. The advantages of this method are validated by comparative studies. Index Terms - Energy efficiency; Internet of Things, routing protocol; wireless sensor networks.

- Over the last few decades, life expectancy has increased significantly. However, elderly people who live on their own often need assistance due to mobility difficulties, symptoms of dementia or other health problems. In such cases, an autonomous supporting system may be helpful. This paper proposes the Internet of Things (IoT)-based information system for indoor and outdoor use. Since the conducted survey of related works indicated a lack of methodological approaches to the design process, therefore a Design Methodology (DM), which approaches the design target from the perspective of the stakeholders, contracting authorities and potential users, is introduced. The implemented solution applies the three-axial accelerometer and magnetometer, Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR), thresholding and the decision trees algorithm. Such an architecture enables the localization of a monitored person within four room-zones with accuracy; furthermore, it identifies falls and the activities of lying, standing, sitting and walking. Based on the identified activities, the system classifies current activities as normal, suspicious or dangerous, which is used to notify the healthcare staff about possible problems. The real-life scenarios validated the high robustness of the proposed solution. Moreover, the test results satisfied both stakeholders and future users and ensured further cooperation with the project. © 2017 by the authors.

Developing technologies associated with tracking human movement and behaviour enable new applications for competence assessments from training results of professionals, such as medical staff, sportsmen or emergency servicemen. This article considers a methodological approach to design a system for firefighter's skills and competence assessment. Assessed training features such as in-building behaviour and tasks execution are analysed based on data gathered with wireless Ultra-Wideband Real-Time Location System, UWB RTLS, and Inertial Measurement Unit, IMU. The assessment is based on the predefined required training tasks, the expert's expertise and results of the trainee's test. The Unity game engine is used for data processing and visualization. As the comprehensive final map of the trainee's skills, the spider diagram is applied and the single score method provides the conclusive statement. The proposed solution was verified experimentally in real environment.

The assessment of skills is essential and desirable in areas such as medicine, security, and other professions where mental, physical, and manual skills are crucial. However, often such assessments are performed by people called “experts” who may be subjective and are able to consider a limited number of factors and indicators. This article addresses the problem of the objective assessment of driving style independent of circumstances. The proposed objective assessment of driving style is based on eight indicators, which are associated with the vehicle’s speed, acceleration, jerk, engine rotational speed and driving time. These indicators are used to estimate three driving style criteria: safety, economy, and comfort. The presented solution is based on the embedded system designed according to the Internet of Things concept. The useful data are acquired from the car diagnostic port—OBD-II—and from an additional accelerometer sensor and GPS module. The proposed driving skills assessment method has been implemented and experimentally validated on a group of drivers. The obtained results prove the system’s ability to quantitatively distinguish different driving styles. The system was verified on long-route tests for analysis and could then improve the driver’s behavior behind the wheel. Moreover, the spider diagram approach that was used established a convenient visualization platform for multidimensional comparison of the result and comprehensive assessment in an intelligible manner. © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.