Source signal detection plays important roles in many real-world target searching problems. Source detection is necessary before a full search process utilizing the detected signal can be performed where minimizing the detection time and maximizing the search space exploration or coverage are the main problems. In this paper, an optimized Levy Flight algorithm known as a Distributed Levy Flight (DLF) for swarm agents is proposed. The DLF algorithm is optimized by means of repulsive artificial potential force to disperse the agents in order to optimize the search space coverage and detection time. Additionally, to integrate cooperative behavior, an artificial attractive force is used to maintain communication among the agents. The results showed that the proposed DLF algorithm successfully improve detection time (113.1s) and area coverage (78.3%) compared to the existing algorithms: Brownian Walk (325.5s, 31.7%), Correlated Random Walk (356.2s, 35.1%), Levy Flight (201.3s, 56.6%), Levy .....

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Swarm robotic is well known for its flexibility, scalability and robustness that make it suitable for solving many real-world problems. Source searching which is characterized by complex operation due to the spatial characteristic of the source intensity distribution, uncertain searching environments and rigid searching constraints is an example of application where swarm robotics can be applied. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is one of the famous algorithms have been used for source searching where its effectiveness depends on several factors. Improper parameter selection may lead to a premature convergence and thus robots will fail (i.e., low success rate) to locate the source within the given searching constraints. Additionally, target overshooting and improper initialization strategies may lead to a nonoptimal (i.e., take longer time to converge) target searching. In this study, a modified PSO and three different initializations strategies (i.e., random, equidistant and centrali.....

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There are various issues related to agricultural processes such as the lack of a systematic watering process according to plant needs and the inability to carry out continuous monitoring processes. If users fail to water plants regularly and sufficiently, soil fertility will be reduced and plant growth will be negatively affected. In this project, an IoT-based plant watering system is developed to water plants automatically and provide continuous monitoring over the internet to increase land fertility in the use of garden land in urban life. The developed system automatically waters plants based on sensor feedback (i.e., soil moisture) and actuator activation . It also provides several environmental parameters (i.e., air humidity and temperature) for monitoring purposes. Monitoring is carried out using cloud applications , web and mobile apps . The successful system assessment shows that it fulfills its functions as required and the usability study proves that the developed system is u.....

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STEM education has been formally introduced in order to foster student interest towards science and technology fields. Different approaches, strategies and tools have been used in order to implement an integrative STEM education at difference levels of education. Robot is one of the widely used tools to implement an integrative STEM education where the STEM components can be integrated and implemented using a single platform. However, the commercially available robotic platforms are mostly proprietary, high cost and has very restricted functions. In addition, the development of the proprietary robotic platforms and its activities are mostly not considering the content of the STEM related subjects in school. This study intends to develop a robotic kit (known as STEMbot) based on Mechatronics Design Process approach considering the STEM related course contents of the middle school in Malaysia using on open-source development tools. The findings demonstrate that the proposed STEMbot robot.....

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