A reinforcement learning path planning approach for range-only underwater target localization with autonomous vehicles

Underwater target localization using range-only and single-beacon (ROSB) techniques with autonomous vehicles has been used recently to improve the limitations of more complex methods, such as long baseline and ultra-short baseline systems. Nonetheless, in ROSB target localization methods, the trajectory of the tracking vehicle near the localized target plays an important role in obtaining the best accuracy of the predicted target position. Here, we investigate a Reinforcement Learning (RL) approach to find the optimal path that an autonomous vehicle should follow in order to increase and optimize the overall accuracy of the predicted target localization, while reducing time and power consumption. To accomplish this objective, different experimental tests have been designed using state-of-the-art deep RL algorithms. Our study also compares the results obtained with the analytical Fisher information matrix approach used in previous studies. The results revealed that the policy learned by the RL agent outperforms trajectories based on these analytical solutions, e.g. the median predicted error at the beginning of the target's localisation is 17% less. These findings suggest that using deep RL for localizing acoustic targets could be successfully applied to in-water applications that include tracking of acoustically tagged marine animals by autonomous underwater vehicles. This is envisioned as a first necessary step to validate the use of RL to tackle such problems, which could be used later on in a more complex scenarios

Album cover art image generation with Generative Adversarial Networks

Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) were introduced by Goodfellow in 2014, and since then have become popular for constructing generative artificial intelligence models. However, the drawbacks of such networks are numerous, like their longer training times, their sensitivity to hyperparameter tuning, several types of loss and optimization functions and other difficulties like mode collapse. Current applications of GANs include generating photo-realistic human faces, animals and objects. However, I wanted to explore the artistic ability of GANs in more detail, by using existing models and learning from them. This dissertation covers the basics of neural networks and works its way up to the particular aspects of GANs, together with experimentation and modification of existing available models, from least complex to most. The intention is to see if state of the art GANs (specifically StyleGAN2) can generate album art covers and if it is possible to tailor them by genre. This was attempted by first familiarizing myself with 3 existing GANs architectures, including the state of the art StyleGAN2. The StyleGAN2 code was used to train a model with a dataset containing 80K album cover images, then used to style images by picking curated images and mixing their styles.

Towards a Taxonomy of Industrial Challenges and Enabling Technologies in Industry 4.0

Today, one of the biggest challenges for digital transformation in the Industry 4.0 paradigm is the lack of mutual understanding between the academic and the industrial world. On the one hand, the industry fails to apply new technologies and innovations from scientific research. At the same time, academics struggle to find and focus on real-world applications for their developing technological solutions. Moreover, the increasing complexity of industrial challenges and technologies is widening this hiatus. To reduce this knowledge and communication gap, this article proposes a mixed approach of humanistic and engineering techniques applied to the technological and enterprise fields. The study's results are represented by a taxonomy in which industrial challenges and I4.0-focused technologies are categorized and connected through academic and grey literature analysis. This taxonomy also formed the basis for creating a public web platform where industrial practitioners can identify candidate solutions for an industrial challenge. At the same time, from the educational perspective, the learning procedure can be supported since, through this tool, academics can identify real-world scenarios to integrate digital technologies' teaching process.