Guarding the perimeter of an area in order to detect potential intruders is an important task in a variety of security-related applications. This task can in many circumstances be performed by a set of camera-equipped unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Such UAVs will occasionally require refueling or recharging, in which case they must temporarily be replaced by other UAVs in order to maintain complete surveillance of the perimeter. In this paper we consider the problem of scheduling such replacements. We present optimal replacement strategies and justify their optimality.

This paper describes an overview of a generic framework for collaboration among humans and multiple heterogeneous robotic systems based on the use of a formal characterization of delegation as a speech act. The system used contains a complex set of integrated software modules that include delegation managers for each platform, a task specification language for characterizing distributed tasks, a task planner, a multi-agent scan trajectory generation and region partitioning module, and a system infrastructure used to distributively instantiate any number of robotic systems and user interfaces in a collaborative team. The application focusses on 3D reconstruction in alpine environments intended to be used by alpine rescue teams. Two complex UAV systems used in the experiments are described. A fully autonomous collaborative mission executed in the Italian Alps using the framework is also described.

This article presents a novel framework for modeling the troubleshooting process for automotive systems such as trucks and buses. We describe how a diagnostic model of the troubleshooting process can be created using event-driven, nonstationary, dynamic Bayesian networks. Exact inference in such a model is in general not practically possible. Therefore, we evaluate different approximate methods for inference based on the Boyen–Koller algorithm. We identify relevant model classes that have particular structure such that inference can be made with linear time complexity. We also show how models created using expert knowledge can be tuned using statistical data. The proposed learning mechanism can use data that is collected from a heterogeneous fleet of modular vehicles that can consist of different components. The proposed framework is evaluated both theoretically and experimentally on an application example of a fuel injection system.

Temporal formalisms are essential for reasoning about actions that are carried out over time. The exact durations of such actions are generally hard to predict. In temporal planning, the resulting uncertainty is often worked around by only considering upper bounds on durations, with the assumption that when an action happens to be executed more quickly, the plan will still succeed. However, this  assumption is often false: If we finish cooking too early, the dinner will be cold before everyone is ready to eat. 

Using Simple Temporal Networks with Uncertainty (STNU), a planner can correctly take both lower and upper duration bounds into  account. It must then verify that the plans it generates are executable regardless of the actual outcomes of the uncertain durations. This is captured by the property of dynamic controllability (DC), which should be verified incrementally during plan generation. 

Recently a new incremental algorithm for verifying dynamic controllability was proposed: EfficiantIDC, which can verify if an STNU that is DC remains DC after the addition or tightening of a constraint (corresponding to a new action being added to a plan). The algorithm was shown to have a worst case complexity of O(n⁴) for each addition or tightening. This can be amortized over the construction of a whole STNU for an amortized complexity in O(n³). In this paper we improve the EfficientIDC algorithm in a way that prevents it from having to reprocess nodes. This improvement leads to a lower worst case complexity in O(n³).

In this extended abstract, we discuss the use of iteratively-supported formulas (ISFs) as a basis for computing strongly-supported models for Kleene Answer Set Programs (ASPK). ASPK programs have a syntax identical to classical ASP programs. The semantics of ASPK programs is based on the use of Kleene three-valued logic and strongly-supported models. For normal ASPK programs, their strongly supported models are identical to classical answer sets using stable model semantics.  For disjunctive ASPK programs, the semantics weakens the minimality assumption resulting in a classical interpretation for disjunction. We use ISFs to characterize strongly-supported models and show that they are polynomially bounded.

Micro unmanned aerial vehicles are becoming increasingly interesting for aiding and collaborating with human agents in myriads of applications, but in particular they are useful for monitoring inaccessible or dangerous areas. In order to interact with and monitor humans, these systems need robust and real-time computer vision subsystems that allow to detect and follow persons.

In this work, we propose a low-level active vision framework to accomplish these challenging tasks. Based on the LinkQuad platform, we present a system study that implements the detection and tracking of people under fully autonomous flight conditions, keeping the vehicle within a certain distance of a person. The framework integrates state-of-the-art methods from visual detection and tracking, Bayesian filtering, and AI-based control. The results from our experiments clearly suggest that the proposed framework performs real-time detection and tracking of persons in complex scenarios

Simple Temporal Networks with Uncertainty (STNUs) allow the representation of temporal problems where some durations are uncontrollable (determined by nature), as is often the case for actions in planning.  It is essential to verify that such networks are dynamically controllable (DC) -- executable regardless of the outcomes of uncontrollable durations -- and to convert them to an executable form. We use insights from incremental DC verification algorithms to re-analyze the original, classical, verification algorithm. This algorithm is the entry level algorithm for DC verification, based on a less complex and more intuitive theory than subsequent algorithms. We show that with a small modification the algorithm is transformed from pseudo-polynomial to O(n⁴) which makes it still useful.  We also discuss a change reducing the amount of work performed by the algorithm.

Simple Temporal Networks with Uncertainty (STNUs) allow the representation of temporal problems wheresome durations are uncontrollable (determined by nature), as is often the case for actions in planning. It is essentialto verify that such networks are dynamically controllable (DC) – executable regardless of the outcomesof uncontrollable durations – and to convert them to an executable form. We use insights from incrementalDC verification algorithms to re-analyze the original verification algorithm. This algorithm, thought to bepseudo-polynomial and subsumed by an O(n⁵) algorithm and later an O(n⁴) algorithm, is in fact O(n⁴) givena small modification. This makes the algorithm attractive once again, given its basis in a less complex andmore intuitive theory. Finally, we discuss a change reducing the amount of work performed by the algorithm.

Simple Temporal Networks with Uncertainty (STNUs) allow the representation of temporal problems where some durations are uncontrollable (determined by nature), as is often the case for actions in planning. It is essential to verify that such networks are dynamically controllable (DC) – executable regardless of the outcomes of uncontrollable durations – and to convert them to an executable form. We use insights from incremental DC verification algorithms to re-analyze the original verification algorithm. This algorithm, thought to be pseudo-polynomial and subsumed by an O(n5) algorithm and later an O(n4) algorithm, is in fact O(n4) given a small modification. This makes the algorithm attractive once again, given its basis in a less complex and more intuitive theory. Finally, we discuss a change reducing the amount of work performed by the algorithm.

This chapter presents a distributed architecture for unmanned aircraft systems that provides full integration of both low autonomy and high autonomy. The architecture has been instantiated and used in a rotorbased aerial vehicle, but is not limited to use in particular aircraft systems. Various generic functionalities essential to the integration of both low autonomy and high autonomy in a single system are isolated and described. The architecture has also been extended for use with multi-platform systems. The chapter covers the full spectrum of functionalities required for operation in missions requiring high autonomy.  A control kernel is presented with diverse flight modes integrated with a navigation subsystem. Specific interfaces and languages are introduced which provide seamless transition between deliberative and reactive capability and reactive and control capability. Hierarchical Concurrent State Machines are introduced as a real-time mechanism for specifying and executing low-level reactive control. Task Specification Trees are introduced as both a declarative and procedural mechanism for specification of high-level tasks. Task planners and motion planners are described which are tightly integrated into the architecture. Generic middleware capability for specifying data and knowledge flow within the architecture based on a stream abstraction is also described. The use of temporal logic is prevalent and is used both as a specification language and as an integral part of an execution monitoring mechanism. Emphasis is placed on the robust integration and interaction between these diverse functionalities using a principled architectural framework.  The architecture has been empirically tested in several complex missions, some of which are described in the chapter.