Varela Aldas, José
Thumbnail Image
Preferred name
Varela Aldas, José
Main Affiliation
Ambato
Email
josevarela@uti.edu.ec
ORCID
Scopus Author ID
57192546163

Research Output

Filters

132
Reset filters

Settings
Now showing 1 - 10 of 132
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Editorial Design Based on User Experience Design

2020 , Borja Galeas, Carlos , Guevara Maldonado, César Byron , Castillo Salazar, David Ricardo , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Fierro-Saltos, W. , Rivera, R. , Yandún-Velasteguí, M. , Varela Aldas, José , Hidalgo-Guijarro J.

This research deals with editorial design based on user experience design. The traditional editorial design has had to adapt to the new digital media composition, where multimedia audiovisual elements unthinkable a few years ago need to be integrated. The participation of the reader, as an external observer who only receives information through texts and images, now has new scenarios in which he can actively participate and decide what will come to his hands. In this study, a work methodology based on UxD User Experience Design is presented, in which will generate the editorial design of an educational book on environmental issues, which includes augmented reality for children from 6 to 8 years of age. The aim of this study is to know if an editorial product with augmented reality and developed from the user experience design can improve meaningful learning in a playful and active way. For its development, a composition model based on the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio will be used. Additionally, its graphic composition will be guided by the Massimo Vignelli canon and will be complemented by the reticular model of Beth Tondreau. The augmented reality markers position will also be based on the composition model previously mentioned, which will allow keeping the attention of the reader in the printed document and in the augmented reality animations. The user experience design will be applied with teachers, parents and students from 4 schools in Quito and Ambato. Once the production is completed, the impact on teaching-learning process will be evaluated with a control and a test group, and the methodology with which they will work in the classroom with the educational material developed will be defined. At the end of the study, copies of the book will be delivered to the participating schools of this research for its implementation. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Robotic cane for the visually impaired

2020 , Varela Aldas, José , Guamán J. , Paredes B. , Chicaiza F.A.

Currently, there is a growing public interest in improving the quality of life of people with disabilities, being the visual limitation one of them, where different research projects have been developed. Assistance robotics is a branch dedicated to the support in mobility and rehabilitation of people with visual disabilities and other limitations. This work describes the construction and use of a robotic cane to assist people with visual problems. The robot structure is generated by 3D printing, and the electronic system has been designed based on Arduino technology. The robot features include a sensor distance to detect possible collisions, a GPS to track its movements, and two DC motors in caterpillar-like configuration for cane mobility. In addition, the robot has connectivity with mobile devices through Bluetooth communication, where the mobile application coordinates the movements of the robot in two ways, manual and autonomous, allowing to reach the desired location and sending the user’s location to the web. This proposal is tested in a structured environment so that patients cast their perspective through a usability test and their characteristics are examined through the analysis of an expert. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Construction of a WBGT index meter using low cost devices

2020 , Varela Aldas, José , Fuentes, E.M. , Ruales, María Belén , Ichina, C.

Appropriate working conditions can improve the working performance of an employee on a company, one of the main concerns nowadays is the thermal stress, due to the affection not only to the productivity of an employee but also for the risk of affections to his health, in this sense, WBGT (Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature) index is widely proved to define thermal discomfort and thermal stress but in some cases is out of reach due to its cost or availability on a certain region of the world, so this work explains the construction of a low cost device WBGT meter built by an Arduino pro mini, three lm35 temperature sensors and an LCD to install the electronic system; Globe temperature and wet bulb temperature was achieved using a matte black sphere and moistened fabric, respectively. After testing the dispositive, the collected information was sent to a computer through serial communication for further analysis which showed acceptable errors on the measurement of the WBGT index taken indoors and outdoors thru the device and compared to the data obtained by a commercial WBGT meter. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Enhancing feature learning of hyperspectral imaging using shallow autoencoder by adding parallel paths encoding

2025 , Bibi Noor Asmat , Hafiz Syed Muhammad Bilal , M. Irfan Uddin , Faten Khalid Karim , Samih M. Mostafa , Varela Aldas, José

Conventional image formats have limited information conveyance, while Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) offers a broader representation through continuous spectral bands, capturing hundreds of spectral features. However, this abundance leads to redundant information, posing a computational challenge for deep learning models. Thus, models must effectively extract indicative features. HSI’s non-linear nature, influenced by environmental factors, necessitates both linear and non-linear modeling techniques for feature extraction. While PCA and ICA, being linear methods, may overlook complex patterns, Autoencoders (AE) can capture and represent non-linear features. Yet, AEs can be biased by unbalanced datasets, emphasizing majority class features and neglecting minority class characteristics, highlighting the need for careful dataset preparation. To address this, the Dual-Path AE (D-Path-AE) model has been proposed, which enhances non-linear feature acquisition through concurrent encoding pathways. This model also employs a down-sampling strategy to reduce bias towards majority classes. The study compared the efficacy of dimensionality reduction using the Naïve Autoencoder (Naïve AE) and D-Path-AE. Classification capabilities were assessed using Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine, and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) classifiers on datasets from Pavia Center, Salinas, and Kennedy Space Center. Results demonstrate that the D-Path-AE outperforms both linear dimensionality reduction models and Naïve AE, achieving an Overall Accuracy of up to 98.31% on the Pavia Center dataset using the KNN classifier, indicating superior classification capabilities.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

An assessment of a ROS class using an educational mobile robot

2024 , Varela Aldas, José , Junta, Christian , Buele, Jorge , Guillermo Palacios-Navarro

The Robot Operating System (ROS) is a middleware that standardizes robot programming, both in simulation and with real equipment. Despite this open-source tool being available for several years, there's still a need to enhance its utilization in robotics education across all educational levels. In this study, a ROS class is assessed among university students using a commercial educational robot. The primary objective is to measure academic emotions in learning and student performance to determine the impact of the class using the open-access tool from a GitHub repository (https://github.com/joseVarelaAldas/ROS-Crowbot). This tool is based on the rosserial package, compatible with the ESP32 board. For class, CrowBot robots connected to the local wireless network via WiFi are used. TThe participants in this study were eight students from an electronics degree program at a higher education institution, who had no prior experience with ROS and received practical training using the educational mobile robot. For data collection on class performance, three parameters are assessed: execution time, functionality, and motivation, and to measure academic emotions, a validated self-report instrument is used. The results show an overall performance of 82.1%, and in the self-report on academic emotions, a high score in enjoyment (95%) and the lowest score in boredom (24.1 %) were obtained. In conclusion, the repository provides an interesting, practical, and accessible tool for an introduction into the world of robotics using ROS.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Evaluating a User Interface for M-Commerce Shoe Sales

2024 , Castillo Ledesma, Franklin Adrian , Varela Aldas, José , José Oleas-Orozco , Jonathan Toapanta

Interface engineering maximizes user experience by defining the form, function, and interfaces utility. Current interfaces have not optimized user-system interaction. This study aimed to develop a compatible and user-friendly interface to improve user efficiency. Android Studio was used to create a simple and functional interface. The commands combination was designed to prioritize simplicity, reducing user stress. Continuous evaluations support to identify areas for improvement and optimize the interface's performance. The results exposed the application developed was well-received, providing a simple and effective interface. Users reported better interaction and superior satisfaction with the system, confirming the proposed design effectiveness. The user interface developed, currently maximizes the experience, with a user rating of 75% indicating that design is simple and functional. Continuous evaluation and improvement guarantee that application will evolve to fulfill more complex future needs, contributing to user well-being and efficiency.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

A Literature Review on Enterprise Credit Assessment Using Random Forest

2024 , Henry Guamán-Lloacana , Alex Muzo-Bombón , Christopher Sánchez-Briceño , Varela Aldas, José

This article presents a literature review on enterprise credit assessment using the Random Forest model, distinguishing it from general credit assessment, which includes a broader range of entities. The study highlights the limitations of traditional methods in credit risk evaluation. The primary objective of this research is to assess the technical configurations, predictive capabilities, and ethical considerations of applying Random Forest in credit assessment. Methodologically, a literature review approach guided by PRISMA principles was adopted, focusing on relevant studies published between 2018 and 2024. The findings indicate that Random Forest models enhance predictive accuracy and effectively manage high-dimensional data, outperforming traditional statistical methods. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the need for transparency and bias mitigation in automated credit scoring systems

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Model Predictive Contouring Control With Barrier and Lyapunov Functions for Stable Path-Following in UAV Systems

2025 , Bryan S. Guevara , Varela Aldas, José , Viviana Moya , Manuel Cardona , Daniel C. Gandolfo , Juan M. Toibero

In this study, we propose a novel method that integrates Nonlinear Model Predictive Contour Control (NMPCC) with an Exponentially Stabilizing Control Lyapunov Function (ES-CLF) and Exponential Higher-Order Control Barrier Functions to achieve stable path-following and obstacle avoidance in UAV systems. This framework enables uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) to safely navigate around both static and dynamic obstacles while strictly adhering to desired paths. The quaternion-based formulation ensures precise orientation and attitude control, while a robust optimization solver enforces the constraints imposed by the Control Lyapunov Function (CLF) and Control Barrier Functions (CBF), ensuring reliable real-time performance. The proposed method was experimentally validated using a DJI Matrice 100 quadrotor platform, considering scenarios with prior knowledge of obstacle locations. Results demonstrate the controller’s effectiveness in minimizing orthogonal and tangential tracking errors, ensuring stability and safety in complex environments.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

Development of Behavior Profile of Users with Visual Impairment

2020 , Guevara Maldonado, César Byron , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Varela Aldas, José , Castillo Salazar, David Ricardo , Borja M. , Fierro-Saltos W. , Rivera R. , Hidalgo-Guijarro J. , Yandún-Velasteguí M.

The interaction of the user with visual impairment with assistive technologies, and in particular with screen readers, generates a group of actions and events during their navigation. These interactions are defined as behavioral patterns, which have a sequence that occurs at specific time slot. Understanding user behavior by analyzing their interaction with applications, in addition, details the characteristics, relationships, structures and functions of the sequence of actions in a specific application domain. The objective of this document is to find activity patterns from a set of commands used by the user, combining data mining and a Bayesian model. This model calculates the probability of the functions used with the screen reader and generates a behavior profile to improve the user experience. For this study, the screen reader JAWS version 2018, the Open Journal Systems platform version 3.0.1 and a computer with Windows 10 operating system were used. During the first phase, command history used by the user by interacting with the Open Journal Systems platform were collected. The result is that the accessibility of users with visual impairment to interact with the computer and its applications has been improved by applying this model. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020.

View
No Thumbnail Available
Publication

IoT-Based User Interface for Remote Control of a Mobile Robot

2023 , Varela Aldas, José , Palacios-Navarro G.

Recent advancements in mobile robot research have resulted in the development of precise robot control tools, while information technology research has focused on the Internet of Things (IoT) in the context of the fourth industrial revolution. This study evaluates a user interface designed for remote control of the Crowbot BOLT robot. This robot utilizes the ESP32 board and is controlled through the M5Stack Core2 kit with a touch screen. The user interface offers two modes of operation: touch-based buttons for movement control and gyroscope control based on the M5Stack’s angular position. Communication between the robot and the user interface is established using the MQTT protocol through the ThingSpeak server, allowing control from any location with a line of sight and internet connectivity. Operation data is collected by recording control orders and measuring sending times, while user acceptance is evaluated using an IoT-based technology acceptance model. The results indicate the need for remote control response time improvement and reveal low scores in perceived usefulness and influence social. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the feasibility of remote control of a mobile robot using the MQTT protocol, providing valuable insights for similar applications and considering user recommendations for future enhancements and system expansion. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

View