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This article proposes the concept of a simulation framework for environmental sensors with multilevel abstraction in agricultural scenarios. The implementation case study is a simulation of a grain-harvesting scenario enabled by LiDAR sensors. Environmental sensor models as well as kinematics and dynamic behavior of machines are based on the robotics simulator Gazebo. Models for powertrain, machine process aggregates and peripheral simulation components are implemented with the help of MATLAB/ Simulink and with the robotics middleware Robot Operating System (ROS). This article deals with the general concept of a multilevel simulation framework and in particular with sensor and environmental modeling.
Wie können wir die Lehre heute gestalten, wenn wir nicht wissen, was morgen gebraucht wird?
Unter dieser Perspektive werden aktuelle Herausforderungen und Chancen universitärer Bildung betrachtet. Ausgehend von einer höheren organisatorischen Perspektive übergehend zu der Mikroperspektive einer einzelnen Lehrveranstaltung. Die Rolle von generativen KI-Systemen wird betrachtet.
Der Begriff New Learning im Kontext von New Work wird aufgegriffen und in Anlehnung an das Agile Manifesto der SW-Entwicklung wird ein agiles Manifest für die Lehre formuliert. Dieses wird in den Zusammenhang mit den sog. Zukunftskompetenzen oder Future Skills gebracht.
Das Interesse am Lehrkonzept des Inverted Classroom (ICM) erfreut sich in den letzten Jahren zunehmender Beliebtheit und mit Beginn der Corona-Pandemie und dem damit verbundenen Umstieg auf Online-gestützt Lehrformate ist es noch einmal deutlich gestiegen. Beim ICM wird die Phase der Wissensvermittlung aus der Präsenzphase der traditionellen Lehrveranstaltung umgedreht: Was bisher während der gemeinsamen Veranstaltungszeit präsentiert wurde, wird nun über Texte, Videos u.a. in eine vorgelagerte Selbstlernphase aus der Veranstaltungszeit ausgelagert. Die gemeinsame Präsenzzeit wird für aktives Lernen, Vertiefung, Diskussion oder andere aktive Formate genutzt. Das Inverted Classroom Modell wird Disziplin- und veranstaltungsübergreifend in der Lehre sowohl in Schulen wie auch Hochschulen genutzt.
Die von Sutherland und Schwaber entwickelte Scrum-Methodik ist ein etabliertes Vorgehensmodell in der Software-Entwicklung und dem Projektmanagement. Scrum bietet durch definierte Rollen, Artefakte und Ereignisse einen Rahmen in dem inkrementell an der Entwicklung eines Produktes gearbeitet werden kann. Diese Inkremente werden in Arbeitszyklen (Sprints) erarbeitet, bei denen die stetige Verbesserung des Produktes und der Arbeitsweise im Fokus stehen. Mit eduScrum oder Scrum4Schools wird Scrum in die Lehre übertragen.
Es liegt auf der Hand, dass sich die Konzepte des ICM und Scrum sehr gut ergänzen und die Scrum Methodik einen formalen Rahmen für ICM bieten kann.
Der Beitrag beschreibt die Umsetzung dieser Kombination agiler Methodiken aus Scrum im Kontext des Inverted Classroom in einer Informatik-Grundlagenveranstaltung an der Hochschule Osnabrück.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and human-machine interaction (HMI) are two keywords that usually do not fit embedded applications. Within the steps needed before applying AI to solve a specific task, HMI is usually missing during the AI architecture design and the training of an AI model. The human-in-the-loop concept is prevalent in all other steps of developing AI, from data analysis via data selection and cleaning to performance evaluation. During AI architecture design, HMI can immediately highlight unproductive layers of the architecture so that lightweight network architecture for embedded applications can be created easily. We show that by using this HMI, users can instantly distinguish which AI architecture should be trained and evaluated first since a high accuracy on the task could be expected. This approach reduces the resources needed for AI development by avoiding training and evaluating AI architectures with unproductive layers and leads to lightweight AI architectures. These resulting lightweight AI architectures will enable HMI while running the AI on an edge device. By enabling HMI during an AI uses inference, we will introduce the AI-in-the-loop concept that combines AI's and humans' strengths. In our AI-in-the-loop approach, the AI remains the working horse and primarily solves the task. If the AI is unsure whether its inference solves the task correctly, it asks the user to use an appropriate HMI. Consequently, AI will become available in many applications soon since HMI will make AI more reliable and explainable.
This paper presents an optimized algorithm for estimating static and dynamic gait parameters. We use a marker- and contact-less motion capture system that identifies 20 joints of a person walking along a corridor.
Based on the proposed gait cycle detection basic metrics as walking frequency, step/stride length, and support phases are estimated automatically. Applying a rigid body model, we are capable to calculate static and dynamic gait stability metrics. We conclude with initial results of a clinical study evaluating orthopaedic technical support.
Interpolation of data in smart city architectures is an eminent task for the provision of reliable services. Furthermore, it is a key functionality for information validation between spatiotemporally related sensors. Nevertheless, many existing projects use a simplified geospatial model that does not take the infrastructure, which affects events and effects in the real world, into account. There are various available algorithms for interpolation and the calculation of routes on infrastructure based graphs and distances on geospatial data. This work proposes a combined approach by interconnecting detailed geospatial data whilst regarding the underlying infrastructure model.
Knowledge of the small-scale nutrient status of a field is an important basis for decision-making when it comes to optimising the fertiliser use in crop production. Currently, the traditional method involves soil sampling in the field and soil sample analysis in the laboratory as two separate working processes.
The previous research project "soil2data" developed a mobile field laboratory for different carrier vehicles. In the follow-up project "prototypes4soil2data", the results of soil2data are further developed. A mixed soil sample is collected during the drive on the field. The soil sample is then wet-chemically prepared and analysed. The overall soil sampling and analysis process is divided into the following process steps: soil sampling planning, soil sampling, soil preparation, soil analysis and data management. The process steps are modified for the mobile field laboratory and the process steps run in parallel. The new soil extraction method is based on official German methods (VDLUFA) to ensure the interoperability of the analysis results with the VDLUFA fertiliser recommendations. An innovative key component is the NUTRISTAT analysis module (lab-on-chip with ISFET measurement technology). It can measure pH, the nutrients NO3-, H2PO4-, K+ and the electrical conductivity. In addition to the advantages of rapid data availability and no need to transport soil material to the laboratory, it provides a future basis for new application, e.g. verification of current results in the field during soil sampling with existing results or dynamic adjustment of soil sampling during work in the field.
Die Nutzung von Sensorsystemen bei der teilflächenspezifischen Bewirtschaftung eines Schlags steigert den Ertrag sowie die Wirtschaftlichkeit des Pflanzenanbaus. Dennoch tragen weitere Faktoren zur optimalen Nährstoffversorgung einer Pflanze bei, als sie von solch einem lokal arbeitenden System erfasst werden. Um die Effizienz dieser Precision Farming Systeme auszubauen ist der nächste, hier erfolgreich durchgeführte Schritt die Anbindung der mobilen Landmaschine über das Internet an eine regionsübergreifende Datenanalyseplattform und die Ausführung zeitkritischer Optimierungsfunktionen auf der Landmaschine.
he development of context-aware applications is a difficult and error-prone task. The dynamics of the environmental context combined with the complexity of the applications poses a vast number of possibilities for mistakes during the creation of new applications. Therefore it is important to test applications before they are deployed in a life system. For this reason, this paper proposes a testing tool, which will allow for automatic generation of various test cases from application description documents. Semantic annotations are used to create specific test data for context-aware applications. A test case reduction methodology based on test case diversity investigations ensures scalability of the proposed automated testing approach.
Smart city applications in the Big Data era require not only techniques dedicated to dynamicity handling, but also the ability to take into account contextual information, user preferences and requirements, and real-time events to provide optimal solutions and automatic configuration for the end user. In this paper, we present a specific functionality in the design and implementation of a declarative decision support component that exploits contextual information, user preferences and requirements to automatically provide optimal configurations of smart city applications. The key property of user-centricity of our approach is achieved by enabling users to declaratively specify constraints and preferences on the solutions provided by the smart city application through the Decision Support component, and automatically map these constraints and preferences to provide optimal responses targeting user needs. We showcase the effectiveness and flexibility of our solution in two real usecase scenarios: a multimodal travel planner and a mobile parking application. All the components and algorithms described in this paper have been defined and implemented as part of the Smart City Framework CityPulse.
Bamboo is an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional materials in mechanical engineering such as steel or aluminium. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world. Instead of releasing CO2 during the manufacturing process, bamboo absorbs CO2 as it grows.
In addition to the sustainability aspect, bamboo tubes also offer excellent properties as a lightweight construction material, which have been optimised through evolution. Bamboo tubes have high strength and stiffness at low weight when used as tension-compression bars or bending beams. Bamboo has strong, high-density fibres at the boundary area, where bending stresses are greatest. Towards the inside, where the stresses are lower, the bamboo becomes porous to optimise weight. This, together with knots arranged in regular intervals, counteracts buckling.
In mobile applications such as cars and bicycles, lightweight construction is sought for energy efficiency reasons. Because of its excellent lightweight properties, the project investigated whether bamboo could be used in mobile, automotive or agricultural engineering. For example, a bamboo bicycle frame has been developed with the aim to be as light as possible. There are bamboo bicycles on the market, but they can only be made one at a time by hand. The bamboo tubes are joined together and functional elements such as the bottom bracket and headset are integrated by wrapping them in resin-impregnated natural or carbon fibres. This makes the joints very heavy. A different approach is taken here: the bamboo tubes are drilled out slightly to achieve a defined internal diameter, and then short aluminium tubes are glued into the bamboo canes from the inside. To prevent the cane from breaking in the circumferential direction, i.e. perpendicular to the fibre direction, the bamboo tubes are wrapped in a thin layer of natural or carbon fibre impregnated with synthetic resin. The aluminium tubes and functional elements are welded or soldered together beforehand.
The design of the bicycle frame, i.e. the dimensioning of the bamboo tubes and joints, was based on extensive bending and tensile tests to determine the strength properties of the natural material bamboo. The bonding between the bamboo cane and the aluminium tube was also investigated experimentally. Finally, several prototype bicycle frames were made and tested for durability according to DIN-EN-14764. The frames passed the tests.
The result is a bamboo bicycle that is manufactured with standardised connectors and joints. The assembly concept developed allows both fully automated and semi-automated series production of bamboo bicycles.
Innerhalb eines Forschungsprojektes wurde ein Energiesystemoptimierungsmodell entwickelt, das mögliche Geschäftsmodelle als Weiterbetriebsoptionen für Biogasanlagen betrachtet. Insbesondere der Einfluss von fluktuierenden Strommarktpreisen und variierenden Treibhausgasquoten soll kritisch im innerdeutschen Kontext beleuchtet werden.
Compliance of agricultural AI systems – app-based legal verification throughout the development
(2024)
Significant advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have been achieved; however, practical implementation in agriculture remains limited. Compliance with emerging regulations, such as the EU AI Act and GDPR, is now vital, even for non-critical AI systems. Developers need tools to assess legal compliance, which is complex, often requiring full legal advice. To address this issue, we are developing a support app that simplifies the legal aspects of AI system development, covering the entire lifecycle, from conception to distribution. The current app, which covers the key legal area of copyright and will soon include GDPR and the AI Act, aims to bridge the gap between AI research and agriculture. An evaluation of our app by experts from both the legal and the IT domains shows that the app assists the developers so that they make legally correct statements. Consequently, it promotes legal compliance and awareness among developers, contributing to the seamless integration of AI into agriculture. The need for compliant AI systems in various industries, including agriculture, will only increase as regulations evolve.
Die Unterstützung des Maschinenführers auf der Landmaschine durch digitale Dienste nimmt immer stärker zu. Die Darstellungsmöglichkeiten sind jedoch auf die Größe der eingesetzten Terminals beschränkt. Um Sichteinschränkungen aus der Kabine durch zusätzliche Terminals zu vermeiden, ist der Einsatz von Augmented Reality sinnvoll. Hier lassen sich die vorhandenen Informationen statisch oder dynamisch in das Sichtfeld des Landwirts einblenden. Doch erst durch die in diesen Beitrag gezeigte Overlay Darstellungsebene mit integrierten Informationen lässt sich das Potenzial der Augmented Reality vollständig nutzen.
For Delay-Tolerant Networks (DTNs) many routing algorithms have been suggested. However, their performance depends heavily on the applied scenario. Especially heterogeneous scenarios featuring known and unknown node movements as well as different kinds of data lead to either poor delivery ratios or exhausted network resources.
To overcome these problems this paper introduces Data-Driven Routing for DTNs. Data is categorized according to its requirements into priority queues. Each queue applies an appropriate DTN routing algorithm that fits the data requirements best. Simulation results show that Data-Driven Routing allows high delivery ratios for time-critical data while saving network resources during the transfer of less time-critical data at the same time.
The energy transition involves various challenges. One key aspect is the decentralization of power generation, which requires new actors. In order to integrate these into the system in the best possible way, there are various approaches e.g. in cooperation in citizens' initiatives or cooperatives (Dorniok, 2016).
Cooperation in general can enable the implementation of certain business models or can increase profitability by the exploitation of economies of scale (Skovsgaard & Jacobsen, 2017; Theurl, 2010). Synergy effects result from the utilization of know-how, different technologies or resources of the partners involved to complement the own competencies and services (Eggers & Engelbrecht, 2005; Sander, 2009). Cooperation exists in various industries and enable the participating companies to compensate their size-related resource deficits (Glaister & Buckley, 1996; Todeva & Knoke, 2005). This creates the opportunity to develop innovations, open up new markets, exploit newly created economies of scale and share costs and risks (Franco & Haase, 2015). In agriculture, cooperation in the form of cooperatives have been of essential importance for a long time, especially with the aim of exploiting synergy effects (Bareille et al., 2017). In the field of renewable energy development, cooperation in form of citizen cooperatives make a significant contribution to the participation of citizens in political, social and financial aspects of the energy transition (Huybrechts & Mertens, 2014). Energy cooperatives are frequently discussed as a potential actor in the energy transition and are increasingly being established to advance the common interests of stakeholders. For example, the joint operation of decentralized power generation plants can involve new actors in the energy transition through regional cooperation (Walk, 2014).
Existing biogas plants in Germany need new business models after the 20-year Renewable Energy Sources Act feed-in tariff expires. For continued operation, a business model innovation is needed, which can be realized based on the different technical utilization pathways. Cooperation can have a significant impact on the profitability of the different business models, especially by exploiting synergy effects (Karlsson et al., 2019). In addition, cooperation can help to ensure that existing plants continue to operate at all.
Currently, the most widespread use of biogas in Germany is in the coupled generation of electricity and heat. Additionally, there is the possibility of upgrading biogas to biomethane or biogenic hydrogen path (Mertins & Wawer, 2022).
Different options for cooperative business models that exist in the biogas utilization pathways are presented. The focus is on explaining the advantages of a joint approach compared to single-farm business models and identifying the relevant actors. Subsequently, drivers and barriers for the different cooperative business models are identified and classified based on 20 semi-structured interviews with plant operators in the administrative district of Osnabrück. The aim is to identify drivers and barriers for cooperative post-EEG operation. As a result, political instruments are to be found that make it possible to involve relevant actors and thus stimulate the best possible continued operation from the point of view of the energy system. The results are structured according to the PESTEL analysis. This assigns drivers and barriers to the categories political, economic, sociocultural, technological, ecological and legal (Kaufmann, 2021). The analysis of the interviews is supplemented and validated by a literature review.
Drivers and barriers for cooperative business models are manifold and can vary mainly depending on the plant and the operator.
Drivers
• Political
o Promotion of renewable energies: reduce dependence on fossil (Russian) fuels
• Economic
o Expectation of synergies (information sharing, shared risk, economies of scale)
o Planning security (fixed supply or purchase contracts)
o Access to new markets (not accessible by single-farm business models)
o Cost savings by sharing infrastructure, technology
o Positive return expectation
• Sociocultural
o Motivating, innovative environment
o Lowers barriers to participation in new markets
o Target-oriented partnerships
o Better use of capacities and strengths
o Strengthening regional value creation
• Technological
o Economies of scale (efficiency)
o Available, mature technology
o Storable, transportable gas
o Well-developed infrastructure
• Ecological
o Increase in plant efficiency
o Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
o Promotion of the circular economy by utilization of organic waste and agricultural residues
o Improving soil quality (fermentation residues as fertilizer)
Barriers
• Political
o Competition to other renewable energies
• Economic
o Uncertainty about future development of energy markets
o Disagreements between the cooperation partners
o Lack of flexibility due to longer-term contractual obligations
o Allocation of profits
• Sociocultural
o Cooperation with current competitor
o Cultural differences and lack of trust
o Acceptance by the general public (e.g. overproduction of maize)
• Technological
o Different technology that is difficult to combine
o Data protection
• Ecological
o Competition for agricultural land
o Use of monocultures
o Emissions from plant
o Pollution from transport
• Legal
o Legal requirements and regulations
o Unfavorable regulatory environment, e.g. long permitting process
One finding is that uncertainty is a major barrier for plant operators. This includes uncertainty about regulatory frameworks and political requirements, as well as about the general development of the energy markets. In addition, social factors such as lack of reliability and disagreement about revenue sharing are a potential barrier. A key driver for the implementation of cooperative business models is the expectation of synergy effects. In addition, operators are driven by a positive expectation of returns and the responsibility for securing the energy supply in times of crisis.
The drivers identified can now be used to develop strategies to advance cooperative business models. In particular, synergy effects should be exploited so that operators can benefit from cooperation. The advantages can also be highlighted and communicated to increase acceptance among the general public. Another important step is to reduce the barriers discussed above. In order to reduce social barriers in particular, it may be advisable to include an external partner in the cooperation, such as a municipal utility that operates an upgrading plant and concludes purchase agreements with the individual partners. In addition, it would be politically expedient to provide the operators with a clear framework for the future in order to reduce uncertainties. As a further aspect, knowledge transfer on new technologies and markets should take place.
Ein modulares Framework zur Modellierung, Konfiguration und Regelung von kooperativen Agrarprozessen
(2016)
Die Komplexität vieler Agrarprozesse nimmt aufgrund von technischem Fortschritt, steigenden rechtlichen Anforderungen und Nachweispflichten beständig zu. Prozessketten werden in Kooperation verschiedener Akteure (Landwirt, Lohnunternehmer, Dienstleister, digitaler Vermittler, Behörde) gemeinsam bearbeitet, dokumentiert und geprüft. Ein ökonomisch und ökologisch ressourceneffizientes Management der Prozessausführung stellt eine Herausforderung für alle Akteure dar. Dynamische Prozessveränderungen führen vielfach zu manuellen Eingriffen in die Prozessregelung, die kostenintensive Verzögerungen verursachen. Das Forschungsvorhaben OPeRAte entwirft und evaluiert neu gestaltete Konzepte und Mechanismen zur durchgehenden Organisation und Regelung kooperativer Agrarprozesse. Es werden konfigurierbare und wiederverwendbare Module identifiziert, die sich an Prozessparameter anpassen und in artverwandten Prozessen erneut verwenden lassen. Das OPeRAte-Framework ermöglicht die Zusammenführung aller beteiligten Akteure und Ressourcen (Maschinen, Sensoren, Aktoren, Endgeräte, Server, Daten, etc.) über offene Schnittstellen. Prozessinhaber sollen durch autonome Prozesskonfigurationen und -adaptionen entlastet und durch Visualisierungen zu effizienten Entscheidungen befähigt werden. Die Konzepte dieses Beitrags dienen als Diskussionsgrundlage zur Formulierung von flexiblen und erweiterbaren Lösungsstrategien für die Landtechnik.
Today's development of client-side web applications is based on one of the JavaScript-frameworks, such as Angular or React. The excessive dependencies that arise in the ecosystem from the Node-Package-Manager increase the security risk and the dependency of your own web application on third-party packages. Moreover, the frameworkless approach proposes a renaissance of classic web development, because it strives to avoid external dependencies as far as possible and to fall back on the standards. Whether the implementation achieves maintainability and security of frameworks is questionable. Therefore, it makes sense to research which core concepts of the frameworks meet the requirements for maintainability and security and how these are implemented. The novelty is that the concepts to be explored are moved to a standard in order to ensure the developer efficiency, security, performance and maintainability in the long term. This allows existing approaches to focus on other essential features.
With the increasing size and complexity of embedded systems, the impact of software on energy consumption is becoming more important. Previous research focused mainly on energy optimization at the hardware level. However, little research has been carried out regarding energy optimization at the software design level. This paper focuses on the software design level and addresses the gap between software and hardware design for embedded systems. This is achieved by proposing a framework for software design patterns, which takes aspects of power consumption and time behavior of the hardware level into account. We evaluate the expressiveness of the framework by applying it to well-known and novel design patterns. Furthermore, we introduce a dimensionless numerical efficiency factor to make possible energy savings quantifiable.