RESULTS

Scientific Publications

  • D. I. Nastac, O. Arsene, M. Dragoi, I. D. Stanciu and I. Mocanu - An AAL scenario involving automatic data collection and robotic manipulation," 3rd IET International Conference on Technologies for Active and Assisted Living (TechAAL 2019), London, UK, 2019, pp. 1-6. doi: 10.1049/cp.2019.0105 (IEEE Proceedings).
  • M. Dragoi, I. Mocanu, O. Cramariuc, B. Cramariuc – Towards Facilitating Learning and Improving Education with TIAGo Robot, INTED2019 Proceedings, pp. 6720-6727, 2019 (WOS Proceedings).
  • I. Mocanu, O. Cramariuc, B. Cramariuc – Serious Games with Virtual Reality as a Learning Platform for Cognitive Training, INTED2019 Proceedings, pp. 7159-7164, 2019 (WOS Proceedings).
  • C. Stan, I. Mocanu - An Intelligent Personalized Fashion Recommendation System, 22nd International Conference on Control Systems and Computer Science, CSCS 2019, Bucharest, Romania, May 28-30, 2019, pp. 210-215, DOI 10.1109/CSCS.2019.00042 (WOS Proceedings).
  • M. Despotovici, I. Mocanu, L. Rusu - Using Convolutional Neural Network for Image Enhancement on Mobile Devices, ICCP 2019, in curs de publicare (WOS Proceedings).
  • A.C. Popescu, I. Mocanu, B. Cramariuc - Fusion Mechanisms for Human Activity Recognition using Automated Machine Learning, IEEE Access Journal (Q1 Ranked), IEEE Access Journal (Q1 Ranked). Second prize at the IEEE database competition
  • N. Samar Brencic, M. Dragoi, I. Mocanu, T. Winiarski - Intelligent solutions for elderly care, International Conference on Digital Health Technologies (ICDTH), Hammamet, Tunisia, 9-11 Decembrie 2020 (BDI: Springer).
  • I. Sandu, I. Mocanu, L. Rusu - A Two Step Approach for Joint Detection, 2020 IEEE 16th International Conference on Intelligent Computer Communication and Processing, IEEE - in press, under the process of ISI indexing.
  • I.A. Awada, I. Mocanu - A Platform to Promote a More Active Lifestyle Between Students, 2020 eLearning & Software for Education Conference, Vol. 3, pp. 355-362, 2020 - under the process of ISI indexing
  • O. Cramariuc, I. Mocanu, K. Broczek, D. Krivec, J. Kolakowski, N. Samar Brencic, Z. Nagymáté, I. Nagy, A. Consoli - What can we Learn from an Ict Project Dedicated to People Living with Dementia, INTED2020 Proceedings, pp. 8820-8827, 2020, WOS:000558088808149 (WOS Proceedings).
  • I.A. Awada, I. Mocanu, O. Cramariuc - An E-Learning Platform that Supports Personalized Learning and Multimodal Interactions, INTED2020 Proceedings, 2020, pp. 8828-8836, WOS:000558088808150 (WOS Proceedings).
  • A. Mocanu, I. Mocanu, O. Cramariuc (2021) Cognitive Games for Improving Learning Skills, INTED2021 Proceedings, pp. 7537-7544 (in curs de indexare ISI).
  • I.A. Awada, I. Mocanu (2021) An E-Learning Platform Adapted to the Online Learning Sstem, INTED2021 Proceedings, pp. 7473-7479 (in curs de indexare ISI).
  • A.C. Popescu, A. I. Awada, I. Mocanu, O. Cramariuc, N. Samar Brenčič (2021) A Platform that Aims to Help People to Learn how to Interact with Robotic Platforms, EDULEARN21 Proceedings, pp. 6342-6351 (in curs de indexare ISI).
  • A. Gurita A, Mocanu I., Image Segmentation Using Encoder-Decoder with Deformable Convolutions. Sensors. 2021; 21(5):1570. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21051570 (Q1 Ranked, Impact Factor 3.576).
  • I.G. Mocanu, A. Tudor and O. Cramariuc, Gesture-Based Human-Robot Interaction, 2021 23rd International Conference on Control Systems and Computer Science (CSCS), 2021, pp. 151-156, doi: 10.1109/CSCS52396.2021.00032 (in curs de indexare ISI).
  • E. A. Budisteanu, I.G. Mocanu. Combining Supervised and Unsupervised Learning Algorithms for Human Activity Recognition. Sensors. 2021; 21(18):6309. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21186309 (Q1 Rankedal, Impact Factor 3.576).
  • A patent application has been filed at OSIM, “Platforma cu roboti asisitivi, senzori si dispozitive inteligente distribuite in mediu si purtate de utilizatori”, Nr. A/00080/ 26.02.2021.

Summary of activity report

First Phase: Defining platform requirements (01.10.2018 – 31.12.2018)

The objectives of the first phase of the INCARE were to identify the solutions compatible to INCARE and to lay the basis for the INCARE business plan. In addition, dissemination, kick-off meeting and setting up the project webpage were also part of the objectives.

  • Activity I.1 - Studies regarding the characteristics of the INCARE platform reported to the existing solutions.
  • Activity I.2 - Elaboration of the conceptual models of the development and validation of the business plan.
  • Activity I.3 - Dissemination: kick-off meeting, website.

Activity I.1 had as objective studies regarding the characteristics of the INCARE platform reported to the existing solutions and focusing on the novel features of the INCARE platform. These were identified as those elements which are not part integrated NITICS and RAPP platforms but which we aim to develop and integrate in INCARE. Among these, we identified solutions for the physical and cognitive exercises as well as for robotic platforms.

Activity I.2 had as objective to elaborate the conceptual models of the development and validation of the business plan. We took into account models based on the direct involvement of the target customers and users but also the models based on collecting statistical data through web instruments.

Activity I.3 had as objectives dissemination activities which during this phase were the organization of the kick-off meeting and setting up the project webpage. The meeting took place in Bucharest on the 18th of October 2018 and was organized by CITST in collaboration with UPB. All partner organizations took part at the meeting.

Phase 2: Implementation and testing of system components (01.01 – 31.12.2019)

The objectives of the second phase of the INCARE project were as follows: (1) designing the platform architecture based on some well defined concepts; (2) designing, implementing and testing of various platform modules; (3) integration of existing platforms; (4) end-user involvement; (5) large scale dissemination, participation at project meetings and at the AAL 2019 forum held in Aarhus, Denmark. The activities planned for 2019 are the following:

  • Activity II.1 – Designing the platform architecture.
  • Activity II.2 - Contributions to implementing and testing of platform components.
  • Activity II.3 – Contributions for integrating the existent platform modules.
  • Activity II.4 – Activities concerning end-user involvement.
  • Activity II.5 – Participation at scientific events, work visits.

Activity II.1 Within this activity, we have designed the INCARE platform architecture which integrates the existing solutions NITICS and RAPP, new games for cognitive exercises and collaboration, integration of robotic platforms, together with the multimodal interface. The conceptual model which is the basis of the proposed architecture following principles of privacy (RGPD), security of data transmission and authentication, modularity and easy installation.

Activity II.2 During this activity, we have developed and tested new components which will be integrated in the INCARE platform. We have developed and tested the following components: (1) a first prototype, third version, for 2 cognitive games; (2) functionalities for robotic manipulation. Also, the collaborative game developed Softic (partner organization) was tested. The game, aims to stimulate the elder users to interact more and to be more active. Based on the tests made and the problems identified, a new version of the game was created, adapted for high-resolution devices and for the first phase of the pilot studies.

Activity II.3 During this activity, we have developed a multimodal interface which allows the integration of the NITICS and RAPP functionalities together with the new modules developed during INCARE. The interface can be also used via a subset of vocal commands in English. Scenarios which integrate functionalities of domotics, health and robotics were developed and their implementation was started within the Activity II.2.

Activity II.4 During this activity, the primary users (elderly people) and the secondary users (informal caregivers - family, friends etc.) were involved using questionnaires to identify their needs, to verify the formulated hypotheses and to determine their interest for the INCARE platform. Also, the primary users were involved in game testing and providing the needed feedback for UPB and Softic. During this activity we also prepared the pilot studies (GDPR compliance) and the recruitment of the users for the pilot studies. There were preliminary discussions in which the users were presented the INCARE project and also the different modules and the health monitoring interface.

Activity II.5 Within this activity we have concentrated our efforts on dissemination to tertiary stakeholders and within the consortium. We have participated at the 2019 AAL forum, have submitted several papers for publication and have updated the INCARE website.

Phase 3: Implementation and integration of the system components (01.01 - 31.12.2020)

Activity III.1 Contributions to platform module development - as part of this activity, we have developed and improved the components which implement the INCARE platform functionalities. We have developed: three new cognitive games; the vocal interface in Polish, Romanian, English, Slovenian and Hungarian; the model which is responsible for activity recognition and which will be integrated in the TIAGo robot.

Activity III.2 Contributions to the implementation of the integrated system - within this activity, we have integrated the following components in the INCARE platform: authentication based on NFC tags, vocal interaction, data base, Android watchdog app, health and game modules. The system has a micro-service type architecture. It contains services to access the data base which is communicating by exposing Restful APIs allowing the following type of operations: Create, Read, Update, Delete. This allows us to obtain information and to manipulate the objects in the database through a predefined permissions system. The main component of the platform is the web interface which is incorporating the authentication with NFC tags and the data-base access credentials.

Activity III.3 Lab testing of the integrated system and analysis of collected data - within this activity we have tested the vocal interface and the human activity recognition module. The vocal interface was tested with 25 elderly. Each person has evaluated 23 voice commands. A total of 575 vocal interactions were collected. In all cases, we used the same data set which contains activities such as stand up, sit down, sit still, read, write, cheer up, walk, throw paper, drink from a bottle, drink from a mug, move hands in front of the body, move hands close to the body, raise one hand up, raise one leg up, fall from bed and faint. A total of 50 elderly persons were included in these tests.

Activity III.4 Pilot activities in the INCARE project - This activity has involved elderly (primary users) and their informal caregivers (secondary users) in testing the INCARE platform as part of their daily life. Their involvement has involved several phases such as: intialization, installation and configuration, intervention. Currently, 4 elderly (1 couple and 2 single living users) are testing the platform together with their informal caregivers (3 users). All users have evaluated the games as being a positive aspect of the pilots. The games which require faster interaction are more difficult for the 80+ users. However, logic games are very welcomed. Health monitoring was also positively evaluated by both elderly and caregivers.

Activity III.5 Dissemination - The dissemination activities with in the project have comprised meetings of the consortium which took place on a monthly bases through online sessions, the physical meeting of the consortium on 30 January 2020 in Vienna, webpage dissemination, journal and conference articles. The scientific dissemination has received the IEEE data base price for the activity data base and the UEFISCDI price for scientific contributions.

Phase 4: Testing and optimization of the integrated system (01.01 - 31.10.2021)

Activity IV.1 Contributions to the optimization of the integrated system - The following INCARE platform components have been optimized as part of this activity: cognitive games; vocal interfaces in Romanian, English, Polish, Slovenian and Hungarian; elderly and caregiver interfaces, outdoor mobility, robotic platform functionalities implemented on TIAGo and TurtleBot (gesture recognition for human-robot interaction, activity recognition for elderly supervision).

Activity IV.2 Laboratory testing of the integrated system - Within this activity we have evaluated the following components of the platform: human activity recognition by a robotic platform, human-robot interaction, several modules of the INCARE platform (authentication, activity monitoring, calendar, SMS). As a result of the laboratory evaluation, we have improved the existing implementation and have added new functionalities.

Activity IV.3 End-user involvement in pilot studies using the INCARE platform - The pilot studies implemented in Romania have involved 8 primary users (3 females and 5 males) as well as their informal caregivers. The average age of the elderly was 77.5 years. The age interval was 60 to 91 years of age. Two of the end-users suffer from cognitive problems having a MMSE score of 26 and 23, respectively. The education level of the all elderly was university level. Six of the elderly live in large urban areas while two in small cities. 75% are independent from the point of view of their physical mobility. The rest of the elderly require help to get along. Based on the end-users answers to the pilot questionnaires, the acceptance and usefulness of the INCARE platform are high among the elderly.

Activity IV.4 Dissemination activities - Within this activity, we have presented the project results in 2 journal article (Q1) and in 4 ISI conference articles. A patent application was submitted to the Romanian Patent Office “Platforma cu roboti asisitivi, senzori si dispozitive inteligente distribuite in mediu si purtate de utilizatori”, Nr. A/00080/ 26.02.2021.