Ester Ferrari - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ester Ferrari

Research paper thumbnail of Issues In New Technology Adoption In Agriculture: a Survey Among Italian Tractor's Users

New technologies have a potential to contribute to achieving significant economic, social and env... more New technologies have a potential to contribute to achieving significant economic, social and environmental benefits in agriculture sector. However, the adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have encountered some difficulties among farmers. This paper reports investigations on the adoption of ICT in agriculture among Italian tractors users and explores their opinions on technologies applied to agricultural tractors. A survey was conducted during the International Exhibition of Agricultural Machinery (EIMA). The results show that, while economic benefit is recognized as the primary reason to adopt new agricultural technologies, other attitudes play roles in the adoption decision of the tractor users.

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Research paper thumbnail of Mechanized CTL Technology among Italian Loggers: Results of a Survey

In the last decade mechanized cut-to-length (CTL) forest harvesting has increased significantly a... more In the last decade mechanized cut-to-length (CTL) forest harvesting has increased significantly as a consequence of the need to address productivity, safety, environmental, and cost issues. However, the speed of its advancement varies depending on the country. In Italy, while the number of CTL machines is increasing, the majority of operators is still pondering whether they should acquire the new technology or stick to the old one. The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes of Italian loggers towards CTL technology, investigating their opinions and pinpointing real or perceived obstacles to its expansion. A survey was conducted during the 2011 edition of FORLENER forest machinery fair in Biella (Italy), one of the most popular events for forest mechanization in Italy. 90 Italian loggers filled out a questionnaire after interacting with a forwarder portable machine simulator. A sample of 44 valid questionnaires was selected to be included in this study analysis (only ...

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Research paper thumbnail of Effectiveness of Torymus sinensis: a successful long-term control of the Asian chestnut gall wasp in Italy

Journal of Pest Science

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Research paper thumbnail of Developing Scenarios for Robot Assisted Play Informed by User Panels and Field Trials

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

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Research paper thumbnail of Attitudes and behaviour of adopters of technological innovations in agricultural tractors: A case study in Italian agricultural system

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Research paper thumbnail of Eliciting Requirements for a Robotic Toy for Children with Autism - Results from User Panels

RO-MAN 2007 - The 16th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, 2007

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Research paper thumbnail of Effects of Embodiment and Gestures on Social Interaction in Drumming Games with a Humanoid Robot

Advanced Robotics, 2009

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Research paper thumbnail of Scenarios of robot-assisted play for children with cognitive and physical disabilities

Interaction Studies, 2012

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Research paper thumbnail of Effects of Embodiment and Gestures on Social Interaction in Drumming Games with a Humanoid Robot

Advanced Robotics, 2009

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Research paper thumbnail of Issues in New Technology Adoption in Agriculture: a Survey Among Italian Tractor’s Users

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Research paper thumbnail of Operators' Perception of Comfort in Two Tractor Cabs

Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 2013

Workspace characteristics affect the perceived comfort level of the operator and uncomfortable wo... more Workspace characteristics affect the perceived comfort level of the operator and uncomfortable working conditions have been found to have a negative impact on productivity and safety. The comfort of the operator is increasingly recognized by manufacturers as a product's added value. Comfort can positively distinguish a product and increase its competitiveness. The concept of comfort is controversial, and a clear operational definition is missing. Nevertheless, it is widely accepted that comfort is a subjective phenomenon that can be evaluated by the final users. In this study, comfort aspects of the tractor workspace interior (i.e., the cab) were investigated. Users with various levels of expertise and two medium-power utility tractors of different brands were used in a 2 x 2 mixed-factorial experimental design. Participants were involved in a dynamic assessment of the cabs, and their opinions about the different workspaces were collected through a questionnaire. Additionally, objective measurements were taken on both tractors, and subjective data were compared with objective data. Results indicate significant differences in terms of the ease of locating and operating the controls (i.e., rear-mounted three-point linkage, hydraulic system, and power take-off), the ease of starting the tractor, the ease exiting the cab, the required level of concentration in executing the tasks, the adequacy of lateral visibility from the driving station, and the level of noise at the operator's position. This article provides guidance for improving the comfort of tractor workspace interiors. Agricultural machinery manufactures would benefit from research results, differentiating themselves from competitors.

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Research paper thumbnail of Agricultural Tractors Cabin Evaluation From Users’ Perspective

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Research paper thumbnail of Developing scenarios for robot assisted play

Robot and Human …, 2008

Page 1. Abstract— This paper describes the user-centred development of play scenarios for robot a... more Page 1. Abstract— This paper describes the user-centred development of play scenarios for robot assisted play, as part of the IROMEC project that develops a novel robotictoy for children with special needs. The project investigates ...

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Research paper thumbnail of Enhancing User Centred Design Methodology Interactive Television Services for Older People

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Research paper thumbnail of Robot as a Social Mediator - a Play Scenario Implementation with Children with Autism

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Research paper thumbnail of Human-centred design methods: Developing scenarios for robot assisted play informed by user panels and field trials

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Research paper thumbnail of Valutazioni soggettive del livello di comfort della postazione di lavoro di due trattrici agricole

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Research paper thumbnail of Agricultural Tractors Cabin Evaluation From Users’ Perspective

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Research paper thumbnail of Technological Innovations in Agricultural Tractors: Adopters’ behaviour towards new technological trajectories and future directions

Latest advancements in tractors engineering have allowed farmers to increase productivity, and si... more Latest advancements in tractors engineering have allowed farmers to increase productivity, and simultaneously to reduce operator’s hazards. However, little attention has been given to farmers’ behaviour and attitude toward the adoption of technological innovations concerning agricultural tractors. The study explores farmers’ behaviours on agricultural tractors current and future technological trajectories. A main case study concerning Italy is analyzed. Results show three different behaviours of farmers concerning tractors’ technological innovations. These adopters’ profiles would help developing new technologies that satisfy, more and more, farmers’ needs and expectations, speeding up the adoption process, enhancing agricultural tractors’ efficacy and efficiency.

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Research paper thumbnail of Attitudes and behaviour of adopters of technological innovations in agricultural tractors: A case study in Italian agricultural system

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Issues In New Technology Adoption In Agriculture: a Survey Among Italian Tractor's Users

New technologies have a potential to contribute to achieving significant economic, social and env... more New technologies have a potential to contribute to achieving significant economic, social and environmental benefits in agriculture sector. However, the adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have encountered some difficulties among farmers. This paper reports investigations on the adoption of ICT in agriculture among Italian tractors users and explores their opinions on technologies applied to agricultural tractors. A survey was conducted during the International Exhibition of Agricultural Machinery (EIMA). The results show that, while economic benefit is recognized as the primary reason to adopt new agricultural technologies, other attitudes play roles in the adoption decision of the tractor users.

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Mechanized CTL Technology among Italian Loggers: Results of a Survey

In the last decade mechanized cut-to-length (CTL) forest harvesting has increased significantly a... more In the last decade mechanized cut-to-length (CTL) forest harvesting has increased significantly as a consequence of the need to address productivity, safety, environmental, and cost issues. However, the speed of its advancement varies depending on the country. In Italy, while the number of CTL machines is increasing, the majority of operators is still pondering whether they should acquire the new technology or stick to the old one. The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes of Italian loggers towards CTL technology, investigating their opinions and pinpointing real or perceived obstacles to its expansion. A survey was conducted during the 2011 edition of FORLENER forest machinery fair in Biella (Italy), one of the most popular events for forest mechanization in Italy. 90 Italian loggers filled out a questionnaire after interacting with a forwarder portable machine simulator. A sample of 44 valid questionnaires was selected to be included in this study analysis (only ...

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Research paper thumbnail of Effectiveness of Torymus sinensis: a successful long-term control of the Asian chestnut gall wasp in Italy

Journal of Pest Science

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Developing Scenarios for Robot Assisted Play Informed by User Panels and Field Trials

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Attitudes and behaviour of adopters of technological innovations in agricultural tractors: A case study in Italian agricultural system

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Eliciting Requirements for a Robotic Toy for Children with Autism - Results from User Panels

RO-MAN 2007 - The 16th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, 2007

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of Embodiment and Gestures on Social Interaction in Drumming Games with a Humanoid Robot

Advanced Robotics, 2009

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Research paper thumbnail of Scenarios of robot-assisted play for children with cognitive and physical disabilities

Interaction Studies, 2012

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of Embodiment and Gestures on Social Interaction in Drumming Games with a Humanoid Robot

Advanced Robotics, 2009

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Issues in New Technology Adoption in Agriculture: a Survey Among Italian Tractor’s Users

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Operators' Perception of Comfort in Two Tractor Cabs

Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 2013

Workspace characteristics affect the perceived comfort level of the operator and uncomfortable wo... more Workspace characteristics affect the perceived comfort level of the operator and uncomfortable working conditions have been found to have a negative impact on productivity and safety. The comfort of the operator is increasingly recognized by manufacturers as a product's added value. Comfort can positively distinguish a product and increase its competitiveness. The concept of comfort is controversial, and a clear operational definition is missing. Nevertheless, it is widely accepted that comfort is a subjective phenomenon that can be evaluated by the final users. In this study, comfort aspects of the tractor workspace interior (i.e., the cab) were investigated. Users with various levels of expertise and two medium-power utility tractors of different brands were used in a 2 x 2 mixed-factorial experimental design. Participants were involved in a dynamic assessment of the cabs, and their opinions about the different workspaces were collected through a questionnaire. Additionally, objective measurements were taken on both tractors, and subjective data were compared with objective data. Results indicate significant differences in terms of the ease of locating and operating the controls (i.e., rear-mounted three-point linkage, hydraulic system, and power take-off), the ease of starting the tractor, the ease exiting the cab, the required level of concentration in executing the tasks, the adequacy of lateral visibility from the driving station, and the level of noise at the operator's position. This article provides guidance for improving the comfort of tractor workspace interiors. Agricultural machinery manufactures would benefit from research results, differentiating themselves from competitors.

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Research paper thumbnail of Agricultural Tractors Cabin Evaluation From Users’ Perspective

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Developing scenarios for robot assisted play

Robot and Human …, 2008

Page 1. Abstract— This paper describes the user-centred development of play scenarios for robot a... more Page 1. Abstract— This paper describes the user-centred development of play scenarios for robot assisted play, as part of the IROMEC project that develops a novel robotictoy for children with special needs. The project investigates ...

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Research paper thumbnail of Enhancing User Centred Design Methodology Interactive Television Services for Older People

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Robot as a Social Mediator - a Play Scenario Implementation with Children with Autism

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Human-centred design methods: Developing scenarios for robot assisted play informed by user panels and field trials

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Valutazioni soggettive del livello di comfort della postazione di lavoro di due trattrici agricole

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Agricultural Tractors Cabin Evaluation From Users’ Perspective

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Technological Innovations in Agricultural Tractors: Adopters’ behaviour towards new technological trajectories and future directions

Latest advancements in tractors engineering have allowed farmers to increase productivity, and si... more Latest advancements in tractors engineering have allowed farmers to increase productivity, and simultaneously to reduce operator’s hazards. However, little attention has been given to farmers’ behaviour and attitude toward the adoption of technological innovations concerning agricultural tractors. The study explores farmers’ behaviours on agricultural tractors current and future technological trajectories. A main case study concerning Italy is analyzed. Results show three different behaviours of farmers concerning tractors’ technological innovations. These adopters’ profiles would help developing new technologies that satisfy, more and more, farmers’ needs and expectations, speeding up the adoption process, enhancing agricultural tractors’ efficacy and efficiency.

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact

Research paper thumbnail of Attitudes and behaviour of adopters of technological innovations in agricultural tractors: A case study in Italian agricultural system

Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact