16th IFAC Conference on Technology, Culture and International Stability 16th IFAC Conference on Technology, Culture and International Stability 16th IFAC Conference Technology, Culture and International September 24-27, 2015.on Sozopol, Bulgaria Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Stability 16th IFAC Conference Technology, Culture and International September 24-27, 2015.on Sozopol, Bulgaria Stability September 24-27, 2015. Sozopol, Bulgaria Stability September 24-27, 2015. Sozopol, Bulgaria September 24-27, 2015. Sozopol, Bulgaria
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IFAC-PapersOnLine 48-24 (2015) 021–027
Automation and TECIS Automation and TECIS Automation and TECIS Automation and Automation and TECIS TECIS P.Kopacek*.
P.Kopacek*. P.Kopacek*. *Vienna University of Technology, P.Kopacek*. Institute for Mechanics and Mechatronics, IHRT P.Kopacek*. *Vienna University of Technology, Institute for Wien.(e-mail:
[email protected]) Favoritenstrasse 9-11/E325 A6, A –Institute 1040 *Vienna University of Technology, for Mechanics Mechanics and and Mechatronics, Mechatronics, IHRT IHRT *Vienna University of Technology, Institute for Mechanics and Favoritenstrasse 9-11/E325 A6, A – 1040 Wien.(e-mail:
[email protected]) *Vienna University of Technology, for Mechanics and Mechatronics, Mechatronics, IHRT IHRT Favoritenstrasse 9-11/E325 A6, A –Institute 1040 Wien.(e-mail:
[email protected]) Favoritenstrasse 9-11/E325 A6, A – 1040 Wien.(e-mail:
[email protected]) Favoritenstrasse 9-11/E325 A6, A – 1040 Wien.(e-mail:
[email protected]) Abstract: Process – and manufacturing automation as well as robotics are currently one of the fast Abstract:fields Process and manufacturing manufacturing automation as well wellcyber-physical as robotics robotics are aresystems, currentlyindustry one of of 4.0 the and fast growing in automation. Advancedautomation process control, Abstract: Process –– and as as currently one the fast Abstract: Process – and manufacturing automation as well as robotics are currently one of the fast growing fields in automation. Advanced process control, cyber-physical systems, industry 4.0 and “advanced robots” longer a headline. They incyber-physical realization. Assystems, a consequence Abstract: Process –areandnotmanufacturing automation asare well as robotics are currently one of of thethese fast growing fields in automation. Advanced process control, industry 4.0 and growing in automation. Advanced process control, industry 4.0 and “advancedfields robots” are not not longer headline. They are in incyber-physical realization. As Assystems, consequence of these developments new ethical andaahuman questions appear. growing fields in social, automation. Advanced process control, cyber-physical systems, industry of 4.0these and “advanced robots” are longer headline. They are realization. aa consequence “advanced robots” are aahuman headline. They are in As these developments new social, ethical andtrial questions appear. Therefore this contribution islonger a first to merge selected from the scope the IFAC TCof “advanced robots” are not not longer headline. They are items in realization. realization. As aaofconsequence consequence ofTECIS these developments new social, ethical and human questions appear. developments new social, ethical and human questions appear. Therefore this contribution is a first trial to merge selected items from the scope of the IFAC TC TECIS with thesethis new questions. a and result first ideasselected to appear. solveitems these problems areofpresented shortly developments new social, ethical human questions Therefore contribution isAsa first trial to merge from the scope the IFACand TC TECIS Therefore is first trial to merge selected from the the TC with these thesethis newcontribution questions. Asaafor result first ideastopics to solve solve these problems areof presented and shortly discussed. Finally suggestions research areitems given Therefore this contribution isAs first trial first to merge selected items from the scope scope ofpresented the IFAC IFACand TC TECIS TECIS with new questions. aa further result ideas to these problems are shortly with these new questions. As a result first ideas to solve these problems are presented and shortly discussed. Finally suggestions for further research topics are given Keywords: Process Automation, Manufacturing aspects,and Ethics. with these Finally new questions. Asfor a further result first ideastopics toAutomation, solve these Robots, problems Social are presented shortly. discussed. suggestions research are given © 2015, IFACProcess (International Federation of Automatic Control) Hosting by ElsevierSocial Ltd. Allaspects, rights reserved. discussed. suggestions for research are given Keywords: Automation, Manufacturing Automation, Robots, Ethics. .. discussed. Finally Finally suggestions for further further research topics topics are given Keywords: Process Automation, Manufacturing Automation, Robots, Social aspects, Ethics. In manufacturing automation of theEthics. automation devices Keywords: Process Process Automation, Automation, Manufacturing Manufacturing Automation, Automation, Robots, Social most aspects, In manufacturing manufacturing automation most of the theEthics. automation devices Keywords: Social aspects, .. devices were electricalRobots, andautomation digital frommost the beginning. In of automation In manufacturing automation most of the automation devices were electrical and digital from the beginning. 1 INTRODUCTION In manufacturing of the automation devices were electrical andautomation digital frommost the beginning. 1 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION were electrical electrical and and digital digital from from the the beginning. beginning. We are currently in1 the “Third Industrial Revolution – the were 2.1 Process Automation INTRODUCTION We are are currently currently inThis the “Third Industrial Industrial Revolution the 2.1 Process Automation 11the INTRODUCTION Information Age”.in requires highly flexible enterprises We “Third Revolution –– the 2.1 Process Automation We are currently in the “Third Industrial Revolution – the Information Age”. This requires highly flexible enterprises is necessary in a broad spectrum of industries e.g. 2.1 Process Process Automation with the currently threeAge”. headlines: We are inThis the requires “Third Industrial Revolution – the Control Information highly flexible enterprises 2.1 Automation Control is necessary necessary in process broad spectrum spectrum offactories, industries e.g. Information Age”. This requires requires highly highly flexible flexible enterprises enterprises aircraft with the the three threeAge”. headlines: spacecraft, plants andof homes Control and is in aa broad industries e.g. Information This with headlines: Control is necessary in a broad spectrum of industries e.g. aircraft and spacecraft, process plants and factories, homes Cooperation, with the the three headlines: headlines: and buildings, automobiles and spectrum trains, and cellular telephones Control is necessary in process a broad offactories, industries e.g. and aircraft and spacecraft, plants homes with three Cooperation, aircraft and spacecraft, spacecraft, process plants and factories, homesand and buildings, buildings, automobiles and plants trains, and cellular telephones Globalization, Cooperation, networks… aircraft and process factories, homes and automobiles and trains, cellular telephones and Cooperation, Globalization, and buildings, automobiles and trains, cellular telephones and networks… Information. Cooperation, Globalization, The PID controller accounts for more than 80% of installed and buildings, automobiles and trains, cellular telephones and networks… Globalization, Information. networks… The PID controller accounts for more than 80% of installed Globalization, Information. automatic feedbackaccounts control devices in than the process networks… The PID controller for more 80% ofindustries installed Information. The PID controller accounts for more than 80% ofindustries installed automatic feedback control devices in than the is process Therefore modern enterprises have to be: Information. It can be easily shown that a PI controller optimal for a first The PID controller accounts for more 80% of installed automatic feedback control devices in the process industries Therefore modern enterprises have to to be: to create and select automatic feedback control devices in the process industries It can be easily shown that a PI controller is optimal for first - Forced to enterprises have a strategic ability Therefore modern have be: order linear process without time-delays. Similarly, theaa PID automatic feedback control devices in the process industries It can be easily shown that a PI controller is optimal for first Therefore modern enterprises have to to be: to create and select It Forced to enterprises have aa strategic strategic ability can be easily shown that a PI controller is optimal for a first order linear process without time-delays. Similarly, the PID opportunities. Therefore modern have be: -- Forced to have ability to create and select controller is optimal a second order linear processfor without It can linear be easily shownfor that a PI controller isSimilarly, optimal a PID first order process without time-delays. the Forced to have have strategic ability to create createwith and select select opportunities. order linear process for without time-delays. Similarly, the PID controller is optimal optimal second order linear linear process the without -- Able toto combine global strategies local time-delays. Forced aa strategic ability to and opportunities. order linear process without time-delays. Similarly, PID controller is for aa second order process without opportunities. -- Able Able to combine global strategies with local controller is optimal optimal for aacharacteristics second order order linear linear process without time-delays. implementation. opportunities. to combine global strategies with local In practice, process are process nonlinear and controller is for second without time-delays. Able to combine global strategies with local implementation. time-delays. In practice, process characteristics are nonlinear and -- Able to work processes leveraged across business. to combine global strategies with local sometimes implementation. time-varying. Thus the linear model used for time-delays. In practice, process characteristics are nonlinear and implementation. Able to work work processes processes leveraged leveraged across across business. business. In practice, process characteristics are nonlinear and sometimes time-varying. Thus the linear model used for implementation. -- Able to to rapidly deploy functional skills doing the initial controller design may not be applicable when process In practice, process characteristics are nonlinear and sometimes time-varying. Thus the linear model used for Able to to work processes leveraged across business. Able to rapidly deploy functional skills doing the sometimes time-varying. Thus the linear model used for initial controller design may not be applicable when process ---- Able Able work processes leveraged across business. work which deploy best functional exploits skills the doing business to rapidly the conditions change or when the is operated atused another time-varying. Thus the linear model for initial controller design may notprocess be applicable when process Able to rapidly rapidly deploy functional skills doing the sometimes work which deploy best functional exploits skills the doing business initial controller design maythe notprocess be applicable applicable when process conditions changedesign or when when is operated operated at process another opportunities. -- Able to the work which best exploits the business region. initial controller may not be when conditions change or the process is at another work which best best exploits exploits the the business business conditions opportunities. change or when the process process is operated operated atsettings, another region. work which opportunities. One solution is to or have a series of stored controllerat conditions change when the is another region. opportunities. This requires not only new operations strategies, new region. One solution is to have a series of stored controller settings, opportunities. pertinentistotoa specific operating zone. controller Once it is detected region. One solution have a series of stored settings, This requires requires not not only worker new operations operations strategies, new each technologies,…. but also involvement,strategies, environmental This only new new One solution istoto to specific have series ofchanged, stored controller settings, each solution pertinent operating zone. controller Once itappropriate is detected detected that the operating regime hasof the it One is have aa series stored settings, each pertinent to aa specific operating zone. Once is This requires not only new operations strategies, new technologies,…. but also worker involvement, environmental issues, ethical issues….. This requires not only worker new operations new settings technologies,…. but also involvement,strategies, environmental each pertinent to a specific operating zone. Once it is detected that the operating regime has changed, the appropriate switched in. This strategy, called or to a specific operating zone. Once itappropriate is detected that pertinent the are operating regime has changed, theparametertechnologies,…. but also also worker worker involvement, involvement, environmental environmental each issues, ethical ethical issues….. issues….. technologies,…. but issues, that the are operating regime has changed, the appropriate settings switched in. has Thisfound strategy, called parameteror gain-scheduled control, favor in applications to that the operating regime has changed, the appropriate settings are switched in. This strategy, called parameteror Technology a set of processes, tools, methods and issues, ethical ethicalisissues….. issues….. issues, settings are switched in. This strategy, called parameteror gain-scheduled control, has found favor in applications to Technology is a set of processes, tools, methods and processes where the operating regions are changed according settings are switched in. This strategy, called parameteror gain-scheduled control, has found favor in applications to equipment used to produce goods and services. Technology is a set of processes, tools, methods and gain-scheduled control, has found favor in applications to processes where the operating regions are changed according Technology is a set of processes, tools, methods and equipment used to produce goods and services. a preset andcontrol, constant A similar application is gain-scheduled haspattern. found favor in applications to processes where the operating regions are changed according Technology isisthe application of and knowledge solve human set of goods processes, tools,tomethods and to equipment used toa produce services. processes where the operating regions are changed according to aa preset preset and the constant pattern. A are similar application is equipment used to produce produce goods and services.to solve human described Technologyused is the the application of and knowledge in Kopacek, Schörghuber (2014). where operating regions changed according to and constant pattern. A similar application is problems. equipment to goods services. Technology is application of knowledge to solve human processes to a preset and constant pattern. A similar application is described in Kopacek, Schörghuber (2014). Technology is the application of knowledge to solve human problems. to a preset and constant pattern. (2014). A similar application is in Kopacek, Schörghuber Technology problems. is the application of knowledge to solve human described described in Kopacek, Schörghuber (2014). problems. There are in several development trends in process automation. described Kopacek, Schörghuber (2014). problems. There isare are the several development trends in in process process automation. 2 AUTOMATION One industrial implementation of new control There several development trends automation. 2 AUTOMATION There are several development trends in process automation. One is the industrial implementation of new control 2 AUTOMATION algorithms likeindustrial fuzzy, neuro and algorithms. But There are the several development trendsgenetic in process automation. One is implementation of new control In automation we have2 the two worlds AUTOMATION One is the industrial implementation of new control algorithms like fuzzy, neuro and genetic algorithms. But 2 AUTOMATION advances in control applications are driven not only by One is the industrial implementation of new control algorithms like fuzzy, neuro and genetic algorithms. But In automation automation we have have the two two –worlds worlds Process automation automation of continuous algorithms In we the like fuzzy, neuro and genetic algorithms. But advances in control applications are driven not only by advances control theory. Control solutions arenotenabled algorithmsin like fuzzy, neuro and are genetic algorithms. But in control applications driven only by In automation we have the two worlds Process automation – automation of continuous and the two –worlds In automation we have processes Process automation automation of continuous advances in in control applications are driven not only by control theory. Control solutions are enabled other technologies, developments indriven theseare areas open by up in control controland applications notenabled only in theory. Controlare solutions Process automation automation of continuous continuous processesautomation and Process Manufacturing automation – automation of advances –– automation of processes and advances in control control Thus, theory. Control solutions are enabled bya otheropportunities. technologies, and developments in(video theseare areas open up new new sensors cameras areup advances in theory. Control solutions enabled by other technologies, and developments in these areas open processes and processes Manufacturing automation – automation of discontinuous and processes. Manufacturing automation – automation of other technologies, and developments in these areas open up new opportunities. Thus, new sensors (video cameras are example), wireless communications, broadband access other technologies, and these areas open new opportunities. Thus,developments new sensorsin(video cameras areupaa Manufacturing automation automation of good discontinuous processes. In the field of processes. process automation had in former classical Manufacturing automation –– we automation of discontinuous new opportunities. Thus, new sensors (video cameras areallaa good example), wireless communications, broadband access theopportunities. Internet, and increasingly more powerful processors new Thus, communications, new sensors (video cameras are good example), wireless broadband access discontinuous processes. In the thepneumatic, classical field of processes. process automation we had had in indevices. former to time hydraulic, electric or combined discontinuous In classical field of process automation we former good example), wireless communications, broadband access to the Internet, and increasingly more powerful processors all present new opportunities for impact withbroadband control theories good wireless communications, access to the example), Internet, and increasingly more powerful processors all In thepneumatic, classicalwere field of process process automation webecause had in indevices. former time hydraulic, electric or only combined These devices mostly analogue. Not of the In the classical field of automation we had former time pneumatic, hydraulic, electric or combined devices. to the Internet, and increasingly more powerful processors all present new opportunities for impact with control theories and algorithms. to the Internet, and increasingly more powerful processors all new opportunities for impact with control theories time pneumatic, hydraulic, electric or only combined devices. Thesepneumatic, devices werehydraulic, mostly analogue. Not because of the the change from analogue to digital todayNot electr(on)ic devices are present time electric or combined devices. These devices were mostly analogue. only because of present new opportunities opportunities for for impact impact with with control control theories theories and algorithms. algorithms. present new and These devices were mostly analogue. Not only because of the change from analogue to digital today electr(on)ic devices are dominating in These were mostly analogue. Not only because of the changedevices fromespecially analogue to information digital todayprocessing. electr(on)ic devices are and algorithms. change fromespecially analogue in to information digital today todayprocessing. electr(on)ic devices devices are are and algorithms. dominating change from analogue to digital electr(on)ic dominating especially in information processing. dominating especially in information processing. dominating especially in information processing. Copyright © IFAC 2015 21 2405-8963 © IFAC (International Federation of Automatic Control) Copyright © 2015, IFAC 2015 21 Hosting by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright IFAC responsibility 2015 21 Control. Peer review©under of International Federation of Automatic Copyright © IFAC 2015 21 10.1016/j.ifacol.2015.12.050 Copyright © IFAC 2015 21
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Until the last decade, the higher level tasks of monitoring, optimization, and supervision were mainly carried out by human beings. Due to the advent of modern technology, and advances in the field of AI, these can now be automated. In particular, the installation, operation and integrity of modern controllers can be supervised by higher level systems.(Craig et.al., 2014).
Furthermore such a process can be seen from a technical viewpoint as well an economic viewpoint (Fig.2)
Advanced control is the implementation of this hierarchical information and control structure. The flow of information is bi-directional, from management layer to process level and vice versa. The task here is to be able to integrate the various components in an efficient and manageable fashion Therefore another trend is the creation of a framework that makes it easier to integrate enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, manufacturing execution systems (MESs), and distributed control systems (DCSs), paving the way for automating entire businesses. A related challenge is to design such integrated systems to be easy to maintain through, for example, monitoring solutions that provide meaningful and easy-to-understand recommendations. Classical approaches to DCS design and deployment including all the layers from instrumentation and regulatory control to the advanced layer concept covering all layers including MES and ERP is shown in Fig.1.
Fig 2 Manufacturing; a) technologically, b) economically The main Manufacturing Systems Evolution Drivers are: - Global growth & competition, - Knowledge Economy, - Environmental pressures, - Molecular manufacture, - Conflict over resources, - Ideology, & culture, ICT- ambient & networked, - Global competition in services, - Human need, - Physical Product This yields, in the past, to the development of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), Intelligent Manufacturing Systems ( ims ), Agile Manufacturing Systems (AMS). At that time the hard- and software possibilities were very limited and therefore industrial applications of AMS not economic. Agile manufacturing systems are now realized based on Cyberphysical systems (CPS). CPS comprise smart machines, storage systems and production facilities capable of autonomously exchanging information, triggering actions and controlling each other independently. Based on the new Internet protocol IPv62 introduced in 2012 sufficient addresses are available to enable universal direct networking of smart objects via the Internet. Now is possible to network resources, information, objects and people to create the “Internet of Things and Services” (Fig. 3).
Fig. 1 Layer concept for process automation (Craig et.al, 2014)
2.2 Manufacturing Automation A manufacturing process consists of Processing operations which transforms a work material from one state of completion to a more advanced state that is closer to the final desired product by means of shaping operations, property enhancing operations, surface processing operations. Assembly operations joins two or more components to create a new entity, called an assembly by means of permanently (welding, brazing, soldering, and adhesive bonding) or semipermanently (screws, bolts or rivets, press fitting, and expansion fits).
Fig. 3 The “Internet of Things” (acatech, 2013) 22
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The effects of this phenomenon will also be felt by industry like under the headline “Industry 4.0”.The basic principle of Industry 4.0 is that by connecting machines, work pieces and systems, it`s possible to create intelligent networks along the entire value chain that can control each other autonomously. Some examples for Industry 4.0 are machines that predict failures and trigger maintenance processes autonomously or self-organized logistics that react to unexpected changes in the production.
axes which may be either fixed in place or mobile for use in industrial automation applications. Definition: Autonomous mobile robots are robots capable to move in a given unstructured environment and can perform desired tasks without continuous human guidance. Industrial as well as mobile robots are used in service sectors - like robots in hospitals, in households, in amusement parks,…..(Fig. 4). Their number is rapidly increasing.
Industry 4.0 will involve the technical integration of CPS into manufacturing and logistics and the use of the Internet of Things and Services in industrial processes. This will have implications for -
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Definition: A service robot is a robot which operates semi- or fully autonomously to perform services useful to well- being of the humans and equipment, excluding manufacturing operations.
value creation, business models, downstream services work organisation.
Cheap and accurate sensors with a high reliability are the basis for „intelligent“ robots. These intelligent robots can be used for conventional as well as complex applications. Furthermore new applications not only in industry are possible.
Further development trends could be: Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing. Efficient use of materials and natural resources in production, Minimize the negative consequences on the environment (green manufacturing, cleaner production and sustainable manufacturing). Design for environment (DFE). Select materials that require minimum energy to produce, select processes that minimize waste of materials and energy, design parts that can be recycled or reused, design products that can be readily disassembled to recover the parts, design products that minimize the use of hazardous and toxic materials, give attention to how the product will be disposed of at the end of its useful life. Smart Factories Beginning to appear and employ a completely new approach to production. Such factories allow to fulfill individual customer requirements. Because of their flexibility last-minute changes in production are possible.
Fig 4 Types of Robots (Kopacek, 2013)
Smart products are uniquely identifiable, may be easily located at all times, know their own history, current status, alternative routes to achieving their target state.
“Unintelligent”, stationary industrial robots were used mostly in production systems equipped with NC, CNC or DNC machines as well as in CIM- or ims - systems. Currently there are worldwide approximately 1.2 million working in industry. With a 7th and 8th axis they limited movable to extend the working space. They can be nowadays equipped with external sensors for “intelligent” operations e.g. assembly and disassembly, fuelling cars… and are “intelligent” robots (Fig.4).
2.3 Robotics Many different types of robots have been developed and significant numbers are in use, both in industry and in service applications. Robots have the potential to carry out a range of tasks previously carried out by people, act autonomously at least to some extent and have a possibly high degree of intelligence.
Mobile robots could be divided in three categories. “Classic” mobile robots are partially intelligent mobile platforms. As “Autonomous Guided Vehicles – AGV`s“ are they available since some years in industry and equipped with additional external sensors (Intelligent Autonomous Guided Vehicles – Intelligent AGV`s) cover a broad application field. Movement possibilities are wheels, chains…… . Intelligent
Industrial robots have been widely applied in many fields to increase productivity and flexibility and to help workers from physically heavy and dangerous tasks. Definition according to ISO 8373: A manipulating industrial robot is an automatically controlled, reprogrammable, multipurpose manipulator programmable in three or more 23
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industrial and classical mobile robots are used for service tasks – “Service Robots” (Fig. 4).
hobby because people have more and more free time. In addition modern information technologies lead to loneliness of the humans (tele-working, tele-banking, tele-shopping, and others). Therefore service robots will become a real “partner” of humans.
“Advanced” mobile robots are currently in development and exist mostly as prototypes. Bioinspired robots: In the past the behaviour of technical systems has often been considered to be very different from that of organic systems. However, there is now increasing interest in looking to bioinspired approaches or using solutions in nature to find responses to technological problems.
Furthermore such toy (companion ) robots have a role as toys and companions for children and (young) people. They have a particular role in providing support for autistic children and young adults and have been shown to be able have a role in mediating interaction, including with other children. Robots can also be fun to play and particularly simpler robots can be built from a kit, allowing children and (young) people to learn about technology design and construction, as well as learning to work cooperatively, for instance on the construction of the robot.
Microbotics (or microrobotics) are mobile robots with characteristic dimensions less than 1 mm or robots capable of handling micrometer (10-6 m) size components. Nanorobot dimensions at or below 1 micrometer (10-6 m), manipulate components on the 1 nm (10-9 m) to 1000 nm (10-6 m) size range. Femto robots for manipulating objects in the 1 fm (10-15 m) size are currently more or less a dream and in reality not necessary – because we have nearly no components in this small size. Nano and femto (sub-atomic particle size) robots may revolutionise medicine and enable a wide range of conditions, such as heart disease and cancer, including currently untreatable serious and life-threatening illnesses to be cured
Household robots Household robots are special service robots for support people in their home. They are two categories: Indoor and outdoor robots. The most known and commercially available are for indoor vacuum cleaners and for outdoor lawn cutters and cleaning robots for swimming pools. There are a lot of single purpose research robots usually not commercially available, slow and they need a lot of space. One of the latest headlines in robotics are Modular selfreconfiguring robots - autonomous kinematical machines with variable morphology. Beyond conventional actuation sensing and control typically found in fixed-morphology robots, self- reconfiguring robots are also able to deliberately change their own shape by rearranging the connectivity of their parts, in order to adapt to new circumstances, perform new tasks, or recover from damage
Ubiquitous robots The term ubiquitous robotics is derived from ubiquitous computing. Basic concepts of ubiquitous robots include networking of every robot, seamless and intuitive operation of user interfaces, robot accessibility at any time and any place and the provision of context based services i.e. services which are determined by the particular context. Cloud robots use a cloud computing infrastructure for fast processing of data, particularly data intensive tasks such as image processing and voice recognition. This has the advantages of reducing the memory and processing requirements of the on-board processor or other computing device, since the robot uses the processing power of the cloud computing infrastructure. For conventional robots, every task, such as moving a foot, grasping an object or recognizing a face, requires a significant amount of processing and preprogrammed information. Consequently, sophisticated systems such as humanoid robots need powerful computers and large batteries on-board to power them. Using the cloud has the advantages of both reducing the need for a powerful computer and large battery on-board and improving the robot’s capabilities in areas such as speech recognition, language translation, path planning, and 3D mapping.
3 TECIS In the science and engineering community of TECIS in former times SWIIS (IFAC/TECIS homepage, 2015) is a unique community of scientists, engineers, practitioners and people from other disciplines. What unites is a common interest in applying advanced control and automation technologies and systems in the service of humanity. The work encompasses problems associated with international and regional instability, international development and human conflict. This TC challenges engineers and scientists to envision solutions which will improve living conditions for all peoples in all aspects of life. Focused upon marginalised communities and examine ways in which control and automation technologies and systems can improve well-being of the human species. Consequently, the work also includes engineering ethics and exploration of cultural values, including the values of technologists themselves.
Walking machines or mechanisms are well known since some decades. Usually they have more than 6 (snake), 4 (multiped) to 6 (hexapod) , 2 (biped) or one leg (hopping). Walking on two legs is from the view point of control engineering a complex stability problem. Biped walking machines equipped with external sensors are the basis for “humanoid” robots. Some prototypes of such robots are available today. Another of the mostly growing application areas of mobile (service) robots is the field of entertainment, leisure and
Therefore this TC covers a broad spectrum of subjects like: Advanced Robotics: For example the application of robot swarms for landmine clearance (humanitarian demining). Engineering Ethics: For example research on process-based engineering ethics.
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Energy Systems: For example country case studies of energy system failure with analysis of causes and effects.
need to be more focused on addressing industrial problems rather than pure theoretical advances.
Engineering Applications for Environmental Stability: For example End of Life Management (EOL) - automated industrial systems for intelligent disassembly and re-use.
Regulatory Stricter regulations play a key role in tightening product quality specifications, which normally lead to increasing demands for APC. For example because of CO2 footprint reduction, energy efficiency, and life-cycle considerations, companies are often not compelled to invest in advanced control. Regulations that are too strict can, however, hinder progress e.g. in the pharmaceutical industry.
Cost Oriented Automation: For example, low cost service robots for poorer regions. Enterprise Integration Technologies and CIM. 4 TECIS AND AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES
4.2 Production Automation
In the following the “New Automation Technologies” shortly described above will be related with the goals of TECIS as a first trial to give some ideas for future work describing problems and open questions.
As pointed out earlier production automation goes towards a complete “Digitization” We have currently and we will have in the future highly networked production processes. One of the main questions is: What about the workers – in the future, will people vanish from the factories with machines taking over or employees play a much larger role? One reason could be the progress in AI directly connected to enormous volumes of data. But in the nearest future operators have to: deciding on the best solution from a number of alternatives, managing unforeseeable events, or deriving new and creative ideas from experience.
4.1 Process Automation According to Craig et.al (2014) in Process Automation there are a lot of barriers. Technical The control infrastructure in a plant is often insufficient for the implementation of advanced process control (APC). Examples are insufficient CPU capacity and lack of measured variables, actuators, and actuator authority. Process limitations include too many unknown parameters or a process that is too nonlinear for a “standard” APC solution to be applied. Other technical barriers include the lack of robustness/adaptability of control solutions, APC solutions that are difficult to engineer and maintain, difficulty in justifying/measuring economic improvements, poor infrastructure in developing countries, and long distances between the site and the technical office.
In most industrialized countries, more managers than ever along with their wealth of experience - are retiring every day, just when a solid knowledge base is increasingly important for production. The group of 50- to 64-year-olds makes up about 20 percent of the population in the European Union today. This industrial renaissance is now at risk as the change of generations threatens a serious loss of experience and knowledge. Technological progress in manufacturing, accompanied by societal changes, has led to a new orientation. Traditional industrialized countries are expanding their domestic production capacities again, and emerging countries are discovering that it's more profitable to manufacture highquality products than to make cheap, simple, mass-produced goods.
Workforce Barriers for the application of APC among process control engineers include lack of domain knowledge and the inability of most to apply the latest control technology resulting in suboptimal operation and maintenance of APC solutions. The reasons are manifold and include the retirement of skilled staff, high staff turnover, and the employment of new “unskilled” replacement staff. This problem can partly be addressed by making advanced control solutions easier to engineer, operate, and maintain, and by process sites allowing remote monitoring and maintenance by centrally located skilled staff
4.3 Robots Robots as a very important tool in production automation have advantages (A) as well as disadvantages (D) which will be listed below according to Kopacek and Hersh (2015): Industrial robots: A:Possible increase productivity and speed. Tasks which are dangerous or unpleasant for humans. D: Possible deskilling and loss of jobs and workplaces.
Cultural Many control engineers incorrectly perceive that their control toolbox is generic enough that the best control design involves simply selecting the right tool from the toolbox. A significant disconnect often exists between academia and industry. Unfortunately, control at many universities has become more of an un applicable mathematics and mechanics subject than an engineering subject. Students are often not prepared to get into the workforce and solve real control problems. However, research activities in process control
Mobile robots: A:Wide range of applications including personal assistants and travel support. D:Safety, (data) security, privacy Humanoid robots:
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A:Increased efficiency in performing complex tasks, possibility of carrying out dangerous and unpleasant tasks D:Possible deskilling; unpredictable long term social impacts and unpredictable behaviour of robots. Cloud robots: A: Reduced requirements for on-board processing and increased efficiency in performing complex tasks, D: possibility of reduced speed of operation, reliability problems and breakdowns, (data) security and privacy issues.
The loss of experience and knowledge by early retirement of experts could be solved by “Senior expert pools”. A complex task are developing countries with a poor infrastructure and a “questionable” pre-education. An approach could be: “No cheap mass production – high tech products in SME`s managed by well educated CEO`s”. In production or manufacturing automation the problems are similar than in process automation. In addition we have to recognize that AI is currently only a supporting tool for skilled humans. Robots were, are and will be always a questionable example for managing humans. Statements like “loss of workplaces”, “loss of security and privacy”, … are definitely from the last century. Solution: A robot is and will be in the future not more than a supporting tool for humans – we have to cooperate with these partially intelligent machines. There is only one exception: Nano-, Femto- and (Ato-) technology. Nobody knows currently what will go on in a long term perspective?
Toy and companion robots A: Robots Fun to play with. Can facilitate social interaction of some autistic children and young people. Potential for teaching all children and young people more cooperative approaches to social interactions. D: Impacts on social relationships and longer term impacts on society are unpredictable. Risk of focussing on behaviourist approaches with autistic children rather than developing strengths. Nano and femto size robots: A: Allow the applications of new technologies e.g in medicine D: From the ethical perspective have a number of disadvantages. In particular their short and long term impacts on humans and the environment are unknown due to lack of experience of their use. Therefore, the associated risks are also highly uncertain.
5 SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK After an introduction an overview about the state of the art and “new” selected development trends in automation were shortly described and discussed from an application oriented viewpoint followed by the main goals of TECIS. “New Automation Technologies” outlined above will be related with the goals of TECIS as a first trial to give some ideas for future work describing problems and open questions.
Household robots: A: Potentially give people more time for social interaction and leisure by liberating them from household tasks. D:Possible safety issues, particularly when the household includes children or animals. Possible loss of respect for manual work and housework.
Finally, after an evaluation, as a first trial, problems are recognized and first recommendations are given from a personal viewpoint. In the future the research have to be extended to other technologies e.g Mechatronic systems including MEMS, NEMS, FEMS ( Micro-, Nano-Femto-mechatronic systems) because Ato is knocking on the door. Renewable Energies e.g. Wind-, Hydropower, Solar Energy (Thermosolar, Photovoltaics ), Geothermal Energy.
4.4 Summary This compilation is only a first and incomplete trial to merge some main goals of TECIS - Advanced Robotics - Engineering Ethics - Cost Oriented Automation - Enterprise Integration Technologies and CIM.
REFERENCES
with selected headlines in process and manufacturing automation including the fast growing field of robotics. Advanced Process control Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing Design for environment (DFE) Advanced Robotics
Craig. I et.al (2014): Control in the Process Industries; The Impact of Control Technology; IEEE Control Society, 2014; http://ieeecss.org/main/IoCT-report. German Academy of Science and Engineering – acatech (2013): Securing the future of German manufacturing industry. Recommendations for implementing the strategic initiative INDUSTRIE 4.0. Final report of the Industrie 4.0 Working Group. Acatech 2013. Hajrizi, E. and Kopacek, P. (2014); Engineering Management in Kosovo. Proceedings of the 19th IFAC World Congress. The International Federation of Automatic Control, Cape Town, South Africa. August 24-29, 2014, p.9875-9879. DOI 10.3182/20140824-6-ZA-1003.01241.
In process automation new methods are necessary for increasing the robustness and adaptability of APC`s and to make advanced control solutions easier to engineers for operation and maintenance. The old and never ending story: “Gap between academia and industry” could be solved by creating new industry oriented, interdisciplinary (postgraduate) BSc and MSc education programs like “Engineering or Mechatronics Management” (Hajrizi, Kopacek, 2014). 26
IFAC TECIS 2015 P.Kopacek et al. / IFAC-PapersOnLine 48-24 (2015) 021–027 September 24-27, 2015. Sozopol, Bulgaria
Kopacek,P.(2009). Automation in Sports and Entertainment. In: S.Nof (Ed.): Springer Handbook of Automation; p. 1313 – 1331, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2009. Kopacek,P.(2013). Development trends in robotics. Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik , 130 (2013), Vol.2,p.42-47,Published on line under DOI 10.1007/s00502-013-0129-1, Springer Verlag, Wien, 2013. Kopacek,P.; M.Schörghuber and J. Baltes (2014): A Cost Oriented Humanoid Robot Motion Control System. Proceedings of the 19th IFAC World Congress. The International Federation of Automatic Control Cape Town, South Africa. August 24-29, 2014, p.4529 4534. DOI 10.3182/20140824-6-ZA-1003.01243. Kopacek, P., Hersh, M. (2015): Roboethics. Ethical Engineering for International Development and Environmental Sustainability, Springer London 2015, p. 65 – 102, DOI 10.1007/978-1-4471-6618-4 IFAC/TECIS homepage: http://tc.ifac-control.org/9/5.Last visited April 1, 2015.
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