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Article
Publication date: 17 June 2021

Dong Mei and Zhu-Qing Yu

This paper aims to study a disturbance rejection controller to improve the anti-interference capability and the position tracking performance of airborne radar stabilized platform…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study a disturbance rejection controller to improve the anti-interference capability and the position tracking performance of airborne radar stabilized platform that ensures the stability and clarity of synthetic aperture radar imaging.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes a disturbance rejection control scheme for an airborne radar stabilized platform based on the active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) inverse estimation algorithm. Exploiting the extended state observer (ESO) characteristic, an inversely ESO is developed to inverse estimate the unmodeled state and extended state of the platform system known as total disturbances, which greatly improves the estimation performance of the disturbance. Then, based on the inverse ESO result, feedback the difference between the output of the tracking differentiator and the inverse ESO result to the nonlinear state error feedback controller (NLSEF) to eliminate the effects of total disturbance and ensure the stability of the airborne radar stabilized platform.

Findings

Simulation experiments are adopted to compare the performance of the ADRC inverse estimation algorithm with that of the proportional integral derivative controller which is one of the mostly applied control schemes in platform systems. In addition, classical ADRC is compared as well. The results have shown that the ADRC inverse estimation algorithm has a better disturbance rejection performance when disturbance acts in airborne radar stabilized platform, especially disturbed by continuous airflow under some harsh air conditions.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is exploiting the ESO characteristic to develop an inverse ESO, which greatly improves the estimation performance of the disturbance. And the ADRC inverse estimation algorithm is applied to ameliorate the anti-interference ability of the airborne radar stabilization platform, especially the ability to suppress continuous interference under complex air conditions.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 41 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 November 2023

Xiaoxiao Song, Yunpeng Li, Xi Yu Leung and Dong Mei

Drawing on anthropomorphism and the stereotype content model, this study aims to explore the impacts of robot anthropomorphism on hotel guests’ word of mouth and continuous usage…

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing on anthropomorphism and the stereotype content model, this study aims to explore the impacts of robot anthropomorphism on hotel guests’ word of mouth and continuous usage intention through perceived warmth and competence. This study also investigates the moderating effects of guests’ expertise.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 524 valid data was collected with Chinese hotel guest through an online survey. Data were analyzed by using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that robot anthropomorphism positively affects perceived warmth and competence. Perceived warmth positively affects guests’ word of mouth and continuous usage intention, while perceived competence only positively influences guests’ continuous usage intention. The findings further show that guest expertise weakens the positive relationship between robot anthropomorphism and perceived warmth and competence.

Originality/value

This study advances robot service literature by integrating the stereotype content model with robot anthropomorphism in exploring hotel guests’ perceptions on service robots. This study also discovers the vital boundary role of guest characteristics in human–robot interaction. This study provides valuable information for hoteliers to design and adopt better robots for optimal guest experiences.

目的

基于拟人化和刻板印象内容模型, 本研究探讨了机器人拟人化通过感知温暖和感知能力对酒店客人的口碑和持续使用意向的影响。此外, 本研究也探讨了客人专业知识的调节作用。

设计/方法/途径

通过在线调查问卷, 我们共收集了来自中国酒店客人的524份有效数据, 并采用结构方程模型对这些数据进行了分析。

结果

研究结果表明, 机器人拟人化积极影响感知温暖和感知能力。感知温暖会对客人的口碑和持续使用意向产生积极影响, 而感知能力只对客人的持续使用意向产生积极影响。研究结果进一步表明, 客人的专业知识会削弱机器人拟人化与感知温暖和能力之间的积极关系。

原创性/价值

为了探索酒店客人对服务机器人的感知(状况/情况), 本研究将机器人拟人化因素整合到刻板印象内容模型中, 其结果推动了机器人服务研究的发展。本研究还发现了客人特征在人机互动中的重要边界作用。本研究为酒店经营者设计和采用更好的机器人以获得最佳的客人体验提供了有价值的参考。

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Se recopiló datos válidos de un total de 524 clientes de hoteles chinos mediante una encuesta en línea. Los datos fueron analizados mediante un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales.

Objetivo

Basándose en el antropomorfismo y en el modelo de contenido estereotipado, este estudio explora el impacto del antropomorfismo de los robots en el boca a boca de los clientes del hotel y en la intención de uso continuado a través de la calidez y la competencia percibidas. El estudio investiga también los efectos moderadores de la experiencia de los huéspedes.

Conclusiones

Los resultados indican que el antropomorfismo del robot afecta positivamente a la calidez y a la competencia percibidas. La calidez percibida influye positivamente en el boca a boca y en la intención de uso continuado de los huéspedes, mientras que la competencia percibida sólo influye positivamente en la intención de uso continuado de los huéspedes. Los resultados muestran, además, que la experiencia del cliente debilita la relación positiva entre el antropomorfismo del robot y la percepción de calidez y de competencia.

Originalidad/valor

Este estudio supone un avance en la literatura sobre robots de servicio al integrar el modelo de contenido estereotipado con el antropomorfismo de los robots, en la exploración de las percepciones de los huéspedes de hoteles sobre los robots de servicio. Este estudio también muestra el papel vital que desempeñan las características de los huéspedes en la interacción humano-robot. El estudio proporciona información valiosa para que los hoteleros diseñen y adopten mejores robots para ofrecer experiencias óptimas a los huéspedes.

Article
Publication date: 13 May 2020

Dong Mei and Zhu-Qing Yu

This paper aims to improve the anti-interference ability of the airborne radar stabilization platform, especially the ability to suppress continuous disturbance under complex air…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to improve the anti-interference ability of the airborne radar stabilization platform, especially the ability to suppress continuous disturbance under complex air conditions to ensure the clarity and stability of airborne radar imaging.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a new active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) strategy based on the cascade extended state observer (ESO) for airborne radar stabilization platform, which adopts two first-order ESOs to estimate the angular velocity value and the angular position value of the stabilized platform. Then makes the error signal which subtracts the estimated value of ESO from the output signal of the tracking-differentiator as the input signal of the nonlinear state error feedback (NLSEF), and according to the output signal of the NLSEF and the value which dynamically compensated the total disturbances estimated by the two ESO to produce the final control signal.

Findings

The simulation results show that, compared with the classical ADRC, the ADRC based on the cascade ESO not only estimates the unknown disturbance more accurately but also improves the delay of disturbance observation effectively due to the increase of the order of the observer. In addition, compared with the classical PID control and the classical ADRC, it has made great progress in response performance and anti-interference ability, especially in the complex air conditions.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper is the adoption of a new ADRC control strategy based on the cascade ESO to ameliorate the anti-interference ability of the airborne radar stabilization platform, especially the ability to suppress continuous interference under complex air conditions.

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2023

Yifan Pan, Lei Zhang, Dong Mei, Gangqiang Tang, Yujun Ji, Kangning Tan and Yanjie Wang

This study aims to present a type of metamorphic mechanism-based quadruped crawling robot. The trunk design of the robot has a metamorphic mechanism, which endows it with…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to present a type of metamorphic mechanism-based quadruped crawling robot. The trunk design of the robot has a metamorphic mechanism, which endows it with excellent crawling capability and adaptability in challenging environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The robot consists of a metamorphic trunk and four series-connected three-joint legs. First, the walking and steering strategy is planned through the stability and mechanics analysis. Then, the walking and steering performance is examined using virtual prototype technology, as well as the efficacy of the walking and turning strategy.

Findings

The metamorphic quadruped crawling robot has wider application due to its variable trunk configuration and excellent leg motion space. The robot can move in two modes (constant trunk and trunk configuration transformation, respectively, while walking and rotating), which exhibits outstanding stability and adaptability in the examination and verification of prototypes.

Originality/value

The design can enhance the capacity of the quadruped crawling robot to move across a complex environment. The virtual prototype technology verifies that the proposed walking and steering strategy has good maneuverability and stability, which considerably expands the application opportunity in the fields of complicated scene identification and investigation.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 51 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 April 2019

Su Mu, Meng Cui, Xiao Jin Wang, Jin Xiu Qiao and Dong Mei Tang

This study aims to use eye-tracking technology to conduct an empirical study about online learning process analysis, thus aiming to understand the attentional preferences and…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to use eye-tracking technology to conduct an empirical study about online learning process analysis, thus aiming to understand the attentional preferences and learning paths in online learners.

Design/methodology/approach

With eye movement tracking and data analysing technology, the Tobii X120 eye-tracking instrument, Tobii studio and online learning platform are used to record and visualise data of eye moving and learning steps during the real task-based online learning processes of 14 online learners. According to Barbara A. Soloman’s learning style classification framework, these learners’ learning style was presented in four dimensions. Based on data of eye moving, leaning style and operation in online course, the correlation about learners’ preferences of learning content, online learning paths and learning style were analysed based on according data.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights about how change is brought about during online learning. It is found that there is no significant difference in attention preference between the students with the difference on the learning style of visual-verbal, although each person has a different attention preference on the learning content.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study is that only one common type of video learning process is studied. The learning process of various types of instructional videos in online learning will be done in future research.

Practical implications

In this study, eye-movement tracking technology is used to understand students’ learning path and learning preference in the online learning process, which is helpful to optimise the online learning process and improve the efficiency of online learning.

Social implications

This research findings have been approved by relevant experts and have won the first prize in the school-level competition of South China Normal University in China.

Originality/value

In this study, the technology of psychology (eye-tracking technology) is introduced into the study of real task-based online learning process in the subject of educational technology, realising the integration of multi-disciplinary research techniques and methods.

Details

Interactive Technology and Smart Education, vol. 16 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-5659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 April 2022

Qing-Yun Deng, Shun-Peng Zhu, Jin-Chao He, Xue-Kang Li and Andrea Carpinteri

Engineering components/structures with geometric discontinuities normally bear complex and variable loads, which lead to a multiaxial and random/variable amplitude stress/strain…

Abstract

Purpose

Engineering components/structures with geometric discontinuities normally bear complex and variable loads, which lead to a multiaxial and random/variable amplitude stress/strain state. Hence, this study aims how to effectively evaluate the multiaxial random/variable amplitude fatigue life.

Design/methodology/approach

Recent studies on critical plane method under multiaxial random/variable amplitude loading are reviewed, and the computational framework is clearly presented in this paper.

Findings

Some basic concepts and latest achievements in multiaxial random/variable amplitude fatigue analysis are introduced. This review summarizes the research status of four main aspects of multiaxial fatigue under random/variable amplitude loadings, namely multiaxial fatigue criterion, method for critical plane determination, cycle counting method and damage accumulation criterion. Particularly, the latest achievements of multiaxial random/variable amplitude fatigue using critical plane methods are classified and highlighted.

Originality/value

This review attempts to provide references for further research on multiaxial random/variable amplitude fatigue and to promote the development of multiaxial fatigue from experimental research to practical engineering application.

Details

International Journal of Structural Integrity, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9864

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 August 2023

Fanshu Zhao, Jin Cui, Mei Yuan and Juanru Zhao

The purpose of this paper is to present a weakly supervised learning method to perform health evaluation and predict the remaining useful life (RUL) of rolling bearings.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a weakly supervised learning method to perform health evaluation and predict the remaining useful life (RUL) of rolling bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the principle that bearing health degrades with the increase of service time, a weak label qualitative pairing comparison dataset for bearing health is extracted from the original time series monitoring data of bearing. A bearing health indicator (HI) quantitative evaluation model is obtained by training the delicately designed neural network structure with bearing qualitative comparison data between different health statuses. The remaining useful life is then predicted using the bearing health evaluation model and the degradation tolerance threshold. To validate the feasibility, efficiency and superiority of the proposed method, comparison experiments are designed and carried out on a widely used bearing dataset.

Findings

The method achieves the transformation of bearing health from qualitative comparison to quantitative evaluation via a learning algorithm, which is promising in industrial equipment health evaluation and prediction.

Originality/value

The method achieves the transformation of bearing health from qualitative comparison to quantitative evaluation via a learning algorithm, which is promising in industrial equipment health evaluation and prediction.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 40 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 May 2022

Heng Xiao, Zi-Tao Li, Lin Zhan and Si-Yu Wang

The purpose of this study is to show how gradual strength degradation of metal beams under cyclic bending up to fatigue failure is simulated based on a new elastoplasticity model…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to show how gradual strength degradation of metal beams under cyclic bending up to fatigue failure is simulated based on a new elastoplasticity model free of any yield criterion.

Design/methodology/approach

A new approach is proposed toward accurately and explicitly prescribing evolution of non-uniform stress distribution on beam cross-section under cyclic bending and, as such, gradual degradation of the bending strength can be directly determined.

Findings

Explicit results for the bending response in a whole cyclic process up to fatigue failure are obtained and the fatigue characteristic curve is for the first time simulated directly between the curvature amplitude and the cycle number to failure.

Originality/value

First, explicit and accurate determination of the non-uniform stress distribution on beam cross-section is achieved with asymptotic softening effects. Second, degradation of the bending strength can be directly deduced cycle by cycle. Finally, the relationship between the bending moment and the curvature is calculated using new and efficient numerical algorithms, thus bypassing usual time-consuming calculations with finite element procedures. Numerical results are presented and in good agreement with experimental data.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 18 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 October 2020

Isaac Ferreira, Carolina Melo, Rui Neto, Margarida Machado, Jorge Lino Alves and Sacha Mould

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the mechanical performance of FFF parts when subjected to post processing thermal treatment. Therefore, a study of the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the mechanical performance of FFF parts when subjected to post processing thermal treatment. Therefore, a study of the annealing treatment influence on the mechanical properties was performed. For this, two different types of Nylon (PA12) were used, FX256 and CF15, being the second a short fibre reinforcement version of the first one.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, tensile and flexural properties of specimens produced via FFF were determined after being annealed at temperatures of 135°C, 150°C or 165°C during 3, 6, 12 or 18 h and compared with the non-treated conditions. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed to determine the degree of crystallinity. To evaluate the annealing parameters’ influence on the mechanical properties, a full factorial design of experiments was developed, followed by an analysis of variance, as well as post hoc comparisons, to determine the most significative intervening factors and their effect on the results.

Findings

The results indicate that CF15 increased its tensile modulus, strength, flexural modulus and flexural strength around 11%, while FX256 presented similar values for tensile properties, doubling for flexural results. Flexural strain presented an improvement, indicating an increased interlayer behaviour. Concerning to the DSC analysis, an increase in the degree of crystallinity for all the annealed parts.

Originality/value

Overall, the annealing treatment process cause a significant improvement in the mechanical performance of the material, with the exception of 165°C annealed specimens, in which a decrease of the mechanical properties was observed, resultant of material degradation.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 26 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 April 2024

Mohammed Sawkat Hossain and Maleka Sultana

As of now, the digitization of corporate finance presents a paradigm shift in business strategy, innovation, financing and managerial capability around the globe. However, the…

Abstract

Purpose

As of now, the digitization of corporate finance presents a paradigm shift in business strategy, innovation, financing and managerial capability around the globe. However, the prevailing finance scholarly works hardly document the impact of the digitalization of corporate finance on firm performance with global evidence and analysis. Hence, the contemporary debate on whether firm performance is genuinely stimulated because of the digitalization of corporate finance or not has been a pressing issue in the relevant literature. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify a data-driven, concise response to an unaddressed finance issue if the performance of high-digitalized firms (HDFs) outperforms that of their counterpart peers for wealth maximization.

Design/methodology/approach

The first stage test models examine the firm performance of relatively high-digitalized firms as opposed to low-digitalized firms based on the system GMM. The second stage test of the probabilistic (logit) model infers that the probability of being HDFs explores because of better performance. Then, the authors execute robust checks based on the different quantile regressions and Z-score-based system GMM. In addition, the authors recheck and present the test results of the fixed effect and random effect to capture time-invariant individual heterogeneity. Finally, the supplementary test findings of firms’ credit strength by using Altman five- and four-factor Z-score models are presented.

Findings

By using cross-country panel analysis as 15 years’ test bed for HDFs and low digitalized firms (LDFs), the test results indicate that the overall firm performance of a digitalized firm is significantly better than that of a non-digitalized firm. The global evidence documents that HDFs are exposed to higher values and are financially more persistent as compared to their counterparts. The finding is remarkably concomitant across several possible subsample analysis, such as country–industry–size–period analysis.

Practical implications

This study can be remarkably effective in encouraging managers, policymakers and investors to acknowledge the need for adopting the required digitalization. Overall, this original study addresses a core research gap in the corporate finance literature and remarkably provides further direction to rethink the assumptions of firm digitalization on additive value and thereby identify optimal decisions for wealth maximization. The findings also imply that investors require an additional risk premium if they invest in relatively LDFs, which have relatively lower market value and weaker firm performance.

Originality/value

From an investors point of view, the academic novelty contributes to an innovative and unsettled issue on the impact of digitization of corporate finance on firm performance because there is a new question of high or low digitization of corporate finance in the global market. Hence, this academic novelty contributes to sharing global evidence of the digitalization of corporate finance and its effect on firm performances. In addition, an intensive critical review analysis is conducted based on the most recent and relevant scholarly works published in the top-tier journals of finance and business stream to fix the hypothesis. Overall, this study addresses a core research gap in the corporate finance literature; notably provides further direction to rethink firm digitalization; and thereby identifies optimal decisions for shareholders’ wealth maximization.

Details

Journal of Financial Economic Policy, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-6385

Keywords

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