This paper overviews the modeling, implementation, and mechanical characterization of an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) devoted to transport materials and tools in smart factories. The design is based on a differential-drive mobile robot configuration for which the mathematical model was obtained. Such model allows the simulation of the AGV's motion and can be used to improve productivity, increase automation, and reduce transportation costs in industrial facilities. The prototype's implementation was conducted with highly resistant materials and automated manufacturing processes. A finite element analysis (FEA) shows that the prototype is capable of transporting 700 kg loads without suffering any structural damage and that critical cases involving collisions might cause only minimal harm. An IoT approach has been considered for the AGV's electronic architecture.

Until a safe and effective vaccine to fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus is developed and available for the global population, preventive measures, such as wearable tracking and monitoring systems supported by Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructures are valuable tools for containing the pandemic. This review paper analyses innovative wearable systems for limiting the virus spread, early detection of the first symptoms of the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 infection, and remote monitoring of the health conditions of infected patients during the quarantine. The attention is focused on systems allowing quick user screening through ready-to-use hardware and software components. Such sensor-based systems monitor the principal vital signs, detect symptoms related to COVID-19 early, and alert patients and medical staff. Novel wearable devices for complying with social distancing rules and limiting interpersonal contagion (such as smart masks) are investigated and analyzed. In addition, an overview of implantable devices for monitoring the effects of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system is presented. Then we report an overview of tracing strategies and technologies for containing the COVID-19 pandemic based on IoT technologies, wearable devices, and cloud computing. In detail, we demonstrate the potential of radio frequency (RF)-based signals technology, including Bluetooth low energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, and radio frequency identification (RFID), often combined with apps and cloud technology. Finally, critical analysis and comparisons of the different discussed solutions are presented, highlighting their potential and providing new insights for developing innovative tools for facing future pandemics.

This paper reports on the progress of a wearable assistive technology (AT) device designed to enhance the independent, safe, and efficient mobility of blind and visually impaired pedestrians in outdoor environments. Such device exploits the smartphone’s positioning and computing capabilities to locate and guide users along urban settings. The necessary navigation instructions to reach a destination are encoded as vibrating patterns which are conveyed to the user via a foot-placed tactile interface. To determine the performance of the proposed AT device, two user experiments were conducted. The first one requested a group of 20 voluntary normally sighted subjects to recognize the feedback provided by the tactile-foot interface. The results showed recognition rates over 93%. The second experiment involved two blind voluntary subjects which were assisted to find target destinations along public urban pathways. Results show that the subjects successfully accomplished the task and suggest that blind and visually impaired pedestrians might find the AT device and its concept approach useful, friendly, fast to master, and easy to use.

Solar energy utilization has been triggered by advances in new technology to reduce the cost of photovoltaic (PV) panels with an increase of efficiency. To improve the energy production quality, it is necessary to undergo the PV panels to characterization both in the indoor and outdoor scenarios; these latter characterizations generally require all seasons-based measurements. Therefore, it is essential to find models for characterizing PV panels in terms of energy production but also production and operating mode tolerance. The paper illustrates the findings of global research dedicated to PV panels ageing and their impact on energy production in the years. At first, an in-depth analysis of the ageing mechanisms affecting II and III generations' PV panels has been presented when exposed to atmospheric agents. Afterwards, the PV panels' characterization, conducted in a short time (i.e. a total of seven days), has been reported, performing outdoor measurements in conjunction with an electronic calibrator able to measure currents and voltages. The MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracker) device is the core instrumentation of the employed measurement system. Obtained results are convincing since they have been compared with simultaneous measurements of PV panels located in the same place.

As an alternative to conventional batteries and other energy scavenging techniques, this paper introduces the idea of using micro-turbines to extract energy from wind forces at the microscale level and to supply power to battery-less microsystems. Fundamental research efforts on the design, fabrication, and test of micro-turbines with blade lengths of just 160 µm are presented in this paper along with analytical models and preliminary experimental results. The proof-of-concept prototypes presented herein were fabricated using a standard polysilicon surface micro-machining silicon technology (PolyMUMPs) and could effectively transform the kinetic energy of the available wind into a torque that might drive an electric generator or directly power supply a micro-mechanical system. Since conventional batteries do not scale-down well to the microscale, wind micro-turbines have the potential for becoming a practical alternative power source for microsystems, as well as for extending the operating range of devices running on batteries.