Robotics Research Group For empowerment, democratisation and knowledge networking
Project Information
Project title: Grupo de Investigación de Robótica para el Empoderamiento, la Democratización y la generación de Redes de Conocimiento / / / Robotics for Empowerment, Democratization, and Knowledge Network. (RED-KN)
Code: INC-UDIT-2025- PRO25
PI Project: Phd. Javier Fernández de Gorostiza Luengo (javier.fernandezdegorostiza@udit.es)
Objectives
To make joint technological development more efficient, it is essential to have clear, accessible and simple tools for documentation, sharing and development. Given the generation of different technological implementations in UDIT with mechanics, sensors, actuators, control and interaction systems, we integrate everything in the internal RED-KN project with the following objectives:
- Facilitate the reuse of knowledge through open and adaptable documentation for new internal projects.
- Social Robotics as an area of development in natural interaction.
- Modular reuse, driven by intelligent and participatory documentation.
- Interdisciplinary Connection, making robotics accessible to disciplines that are not necessarily technological.
- Establish a Scalable Base, which adequately supports the increase in volume of projects and complexity of developments.
Methodology
Compilation of information from different technological projects developed. The implementation of the internal knowledge management repository at UDIT will be carried out in four main stages:
- Collection of information, analysis of the projects developed and their standardisation.
- Development of infrastructure, implementation of services and solutions mouldable by the community.
- Implementation and validation, installation and management of sharing tools.
- Documentation, generation of didactic materials, tutorials, and use cases.
These stages will be aligned with open science principles, ensuring standardisation, modularity and accessibility.
The basic tools for the execution of the project will be based on:
- Version control, through services such as those offered by GIT. Where any user can open a development branch, and reuse stable versions of other branches.
- Open documentation, through services such as those offered by Wikipedia, where users can follow the methodology of use of a specific technical development and thus be able to apply it in their own research.
practical applications
The content to be used within the internal RED-KN project is based on the following practical developments in advanced process:
UDITO. UDIT Social Robot
This is a robot designed and manufactured by students of the University's Product Degree in collaboration with Porcelanosa.
Its mechanical, electronic and control system has been developed within RED-KN, incorporating movement, navigation, gestural expression, verbal interaction and access to an intelligent chat made with AI.
Mycelium Growth Chamber
Design and implementation of a controlled mycelium growth chamber, made with low-cost components. It incorporates gas, temperature and humidity control and takes photos of the growth process automatically.
Sensorised Footwear
Footwear insole with pressure sensors, for the identification of different tread patterns during walking. The aim is to help the therapist to detect and solve tread pathologies.
Photoneu
Detection, identification and tracking of laboratory mice. Artificial Vision System capable of automating the tracking process of these small animals in the medical research environment.
Robot cleaner
Integration of robotic technology inside an aircraft lavatory, to carry out cleaning automatically.
practical applications
Robotics is a centripetal technology of recycling, reuse and reinvention. In the development towards non-industrial social robots, major challenges are faced that relate to:
- Mechanical devices. Development in mechatronics: new mechanical systems, efficient motors, micromechanics.
- New materials. Soft robotics with materials such as latex or silicone. Artificial muscles. Integration of lightweight materials. Biomaterials.
- Low-level control systems. Real-time perception and actuation. Development of skills and behaviour.
- High-level cognitive systems. Multimodal perception and actuation. Navigation in the environment. Decision-making systems. Integration of artificial intelligence technologies such as computer vision, natural language processing, machine learning.
- Natural interaction. Emotion recognition and expression. Natural dialogue systems. Coherent interaction.
At the same time, robotics is a centrifugal technology, insofar as the development in each of these fields framed in other areas results in the design of novel products with robotic technology. For example:
- UDITO. Integration of deep learning models in the human-robot interaction system. Bringing social robots closer to the general public.
- Mycelium growth chamber. Real-time growth monitoring to analyse natural optimal growth conditions. Artificial intervention in growth, using electromagnetic excitation signals.
- Sensorised footwear. Footprint analysis for the detection of pathologies in children. Correction of pathologies by means of methodologies related to play.
- Photoneu. System for the automatic administration of photo-biostimulation. Automation of research processes with medical laboratory animals.
- Cleaning robot. Development of a robot with a structure that is completely camouflaged for the user as part of the furniture inside the aircraft lavatory.
Each of these projects is developed by means of well-documented implementation modules, which allows the reuse of a module developed in a specific area in a different area.