ICS Computational Vision and Robotics Laboratory
The ICS Computational Vision and Robotics Laboratory (CVRL) was founded back in 1985. Here, their activities are geared towards research and development in the areas related to computer vision and autonomous mobile robots with intelligent behavior. Its research emphasizes more on visual perception of static and dynamic characteristics of the 3D world, object tracking, robot navigation and behavior modeling.
Additionally, the lab is involved in the exploration of machine learning methods in robotic applications. In line with this, the lab reinforces learning and genetic algorithms, which they utilize in order to make the robot capable of improving its skills and at the same time acquire new sets of skills.
To show their prowess, the ICS CVRL has the following projects and robots to their name: a RWI B21r robotic platform that has a SICK PLS laser scanner, sonar, IR and bumper sensor which they call LEFKOS; the Plato, which is a 4-wheeled skid drive robotic platform; the Peleas, an in-house designed and constructed robot that is a differential drive robotic platform; and the FLYBOT, a RUAV or Rotocraft Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. There is the robotic wheelchair, a special kind of wheelchair that is equipped with sonar sensors and panoramic vision.
The Lab aims to apply all the methods, technologies, and tools they have created and developed to industrial automation, the support of people with special needs, space monitoring and security, home automation and the like. And with their extensive expertise in the development of prototype robotic systems, the lab also has the potential to broaden its research infrastructures.
