Innovative Processes and Products for Improving Quality of LifeAutonomous cognitive systems
The PR403 Laboratory focuses on implementing processes based on the latest discoveries in information technology to develop applications and products that contribute to enhancing the quality of life. It serves as a hub for the research activities of its members, supporting contracted projects, doctoral theses supervised by the laboratory team, and research topics from Master’s programs such as Complex Signal Processing in Multimedia Applications and Information Systems in Medicine.
The main research areas currently pursued by the laboratory team (with potential for further development and expansion) include:
- Hybrid Autonomous Multi-Agent Air-Ground Systems for environmental monitoring to reduce pollution and forecast weather using artificial intelligence, particularly machine learning and neural networks.
- Intelligent Data Management Systems (including images) for monitoring patients at home or in hospitals.
- Medical Diagnostic Support Systems involving data fusion from neural network ensembles.
- Agriculture Monitoring Systems to detect diseases and harmful insects in organic and precision farming using drones combined with AI techniques.
- Automated Inspection and Defect Detection Systems across various domains such as industry, agriculture, and food production.
The laboratory aims to achieve horizontal objectives, including equal opportunities, sustainable development, and innovation. Most of the research activities listed above involve forming interdisciplinary teams or partnerships (e.g., information technology, systems engineering, medicine, agriculture, environment, aviation), as evidenced by ongoing projects, publications, and doctoral research led by the core research team. The laboratory’s focus includes leading or partnering in national and international project competitions, participating in projects directly assigned by interested economic units, publishing in ISI Web of Science Q1, Q2 journals, or prestigious international conferences, and attracting highly qualified young specialists to the team.
The advanced research activities are organized under the guidance of Prof. Dan Popescu and Prof. Loretta Ichim.
Research Services Offered:
- Biomedical Diagnostic Systems using advanced image processing techniques and convolutional neural networks for tumor diagnosis, employing AI-based neural networks for detection, diagnosis, and prediction in various medical specialties.
- Home Monitoring Systems for recently discharged patients or individuals with disabilities.
- Deep Neural Network Systems for multimodal analysis of human emotions through decision fusion.
- Detection and Tracking of Mobile Objects from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using modern AI techniques. Detection, segmentation, and evaluation of objects of interest in aerial images using machine learning and neural networks.
- Person and Vehicle Detection and Tracking in restricted areas.
- Intelligent Weather Prediction Models based on data from high-altitude UAVs.
- Smart Systems for Crop Monitoring and detecting dangerous insects using hybrid UAV-WSN (wireless sensor networks) systems.
- Integration of IoT Devices, Machine Learning, and Digital Twin in modern production processes. Designing and testing flexible manufacturing or inspection lines based on AI techniques.
Completed Research Projects:
- HALYomorpha halys Identification: Innovative ICT tools for monitoring and sustainable management of the brown marmorated stink bug and other pests. Dan Popescu – Project Director, ERA NET COFUND, CT-AGRI-FOOD, 2019 Joint Call, registered at UEFISCDI PN III 202/2020. 2020-2024.
- Integrated System for Dynamic Loading of High-Voltage Power Lines based on online monitoring of operational and environmental parameters. Dan Popescu – Project Manager, contract PTE 38/2020, UEFISCDI Subprogram 2.1 – Competitiveness through research, development, and innovation. 2020-2022.
- Intelligent and Distributed Control of 3 Complex Autonomous Systems integrated into emerging technologies for medical-social personal assistance and servicing of precision flexible manufacturing lines. Radu Dobrescu – Project Manager, UEFISCDI, 78_PCCDI/2018, Complex Projects, 2018-2021.
- Integrated UAV-WSN-IoT Intelligent Monitoring System for Precision Agriculture (MUWI). Dan Popescu – Project Director, 1224/22.01.2018, 2018-2020.
- Integrated Multi-Agent Aerial Robotic System for exploring terrestrial regions of interest (MAARS). Dan Popescu – Project Director, Research, Development, Innovation Program for Space Technology and Advanced Research – STAR, Romanian Space Agency (ROSA), contract 185/2017, 2017-2019.
- Multi-Drone System for Evaluating Flood Effects (SIMUL). Dan Popescu – Project Director, BRIDGE GRANT – Knowledge Transfer to Economic Agent, UEFISCDI 49BG/2016, 2016-2018.
- FPGA-Based Multifunctional Module for image processing in industrial robotics applications. Loretta Ichim – Project Manager, PN III: Program 2 – Increasing the Competitiveness of the Romanian Economy through Research, Development, and Innovation, Innovation Vouchers, NR. 62CI/2017, Beneficiary ASTI CONTROL SA.
- Research, Innovation, and Development Ecosystem of TIC products and services for a society connected to the Internet of Things (NETIO), Dan Popescu – Technical Lead for Research Themes, Operational Competitiveness Program 2014-2020.
Research Team Members:
- Prof. Dan Popescu – Doctoral Supervisor, Laboratory Manager
- Prof. Loretta Ichim – Doctoral Supervisor
- Prof. Daniela Hossu
- Assoc. Prof. Daniel Merezeanu
- Lect. Oana Chenaru
- PhD Candidates under the supervision of Dan Popescu and Loretta Ichim