A robotic focal plane system using robotic fiber positioners enables multi-object spectroscopy for hundreds to thousands of galaxies by utilizing a dense array of positioners that are closely packed at the focal plane of a telescope. While this dense arrangement increases the number of observations, it also introduces the potential for collisions between adjacent positioners. A fiber positioner is designed similarly to a SCARA robot. It is driven by two series of BLDC motors. Each positioner is manufactured with an outer diameter of 16 mm. It operates within an annular workspace with an outer diameter of 33.6 mm and an inner diameter of 12.8 mm. As these positioners are arranged with a spacing of 16.8 mm, target assignment and motion planning are critical to avoid collisions caused by overlapping workspaces. To address this, we proposed an optimized step choice algorithm using a motion planning method based on optimization with the sequential quadratic programming algorithm. Simulation results demonstrated that paths for all positioners within a tile were successfully generated with a success rate of up to 93.75% across 80 tiles.

Electric kickboards provide personal mobility with a simple structure and easy operation. With these advantages, the number of users is increasing annually. However, as the number of users of electric kickboards increases, related accidents are also increasing. To prevent accidents, this study proposes the topological optimization of an electric kickboard connecting part to improve structural strength during a front collision. The results confirmed that as the volume fraction increased, the structure connecting the board and the bottom of the handle support changed to a toroidal shape, thereby lowering the maximum stress and improving the uniformity of the stress distribution. In addition, the topological optimization was safer than the connecting parts of two typical electric kickboards sold in the Korean market. These findings can contribute to improving the safety and optimizing the design direction of electric kickboards.

Plastic deformation of balls in safety coupling by collision with V-Hole was investigated in the current study. Generally, when the applied torque is greater than the maximum allowable torque, balls in V-Hole get out from the holes and the coupling loses the torque transfer capability. After balls are out from the V-Holes, the balls and V-Hole rotate at a different velocity. When balls meet the next V-Hole, they collide into the wall of the V-Hole. Due to this collision, plastic deformation and wear take place. The plastic deformation and wear may reduce the torque transfer capability of the safety coupling. The reduction in torque transfer capability was observed in the experiment. In this study, plastic deformation of balls and flange was investigated through dynamic analysis of the safety coupling. Also, the effect of relative rotational velocity on the plastic deformation was investigated.

Crash analyses was carried out to characterize crash behavior and injury of a wheelchair user in a train during collision based on SAFETRAIN PROJECT and AV/ST 9001, train safety regulations. There is no restraint system such as seat belt or air-bag in train, a wheelchair user is normally injured by bumping against wall. Crash behavior and injury of a wheelchair user was evaluated with respect to the distance (Dw) of the wheelchair from the wall and the wall foam thickness (tF). Additional crash analysis for a wheelchair user with seat belt was also performed in order to check the significance of the seat belt effect during crash.