Extending the Ecological Interface Design process—Integrated EID

This article aims to extend the traditional Ecological Interface Design (EID) process. With the rapid pace of digitalization in technological systems, there is a need for a design process that can handle the systemic design goals and the experiential basis of interaction. Currently, the traditional EID is well-positioned to address these challenges. However, methodologically, it needs to be substantiated to make it accessible for designers, designing for novel arenas, such as Industry 4.0. Further, substantiating the design process will help designers, engineers, and human factors researchers with an accessible pathway that links the design brief to the final interface form. Therefore, this article delves into the “design” basis in the work of the Risø group and other prominent EID researchers and practitioners. In addition, it draws from a variety of themes in the discipline of design that addresses methodology. In particular, key insights are drawn from the design methods movement (1960s—); design, communication, and complexity from the Ulm school of design, 1953–1968; cognitive research conducted on designers and design activities; and finally, interaction design and communication design processes and models. All of these insights have been used syncretically to create the new integrated EID (iEID) process. This new design process consists of nine stages divided into three phases of divergence, transformation, and convergence, converting the initial design brief to the final interface. The steps of iEID are demonstrated using the example of interface design for a “digital twin” in the manufacturing sector.     

Holistic data-driven requirements elicitation in the big data era

Digital transformation stimulates continuous generation of large amounts of digital data, both in organizations and in society at large. As a consequence, there have been growing efforts in the Requirements Engineering community to consider digital data as sources for requirements acquisition, in addition to human stakeholders. The volume, velocity and variety of the data make requirements discovery increasingly dynamic, but also unstructured and complex, which current elicitation methods are unable to consider and manage in a systematic and efficient manner. We propose a framework, in the form of a conceptual metamodel and a method, for continuous and automated acquisition, analysis and aggregation of heterogeneous digital sources that aims to support data-driven requirements elicitation and management. The usability of the framework is partially validated by an in-depth case study from the business sector of video game development.

     

Freedom Without Compromise: Creating a Secure Environment on the Move

E-commerce has already begun to revolutionize the way we work, shop and do business. But the transformation to a digital economy will not be complete until it encompasses mobile commerce. Although still a relatively new capability, M-commerce has the potential to create a whole new service sector, new business models and new avenues for customer service. This has been said about E-commerce, of course, though the difference is that by taking E-commerce away from the desktop, M-commerce will be much more pervasive than E-commerce as we know it today. A combination of the two most explosive technologies of the last ten years — the World Wide Web and wireless communications — M-commerce is widely cited as a huge opportunity for businesses across the globe.     

Evolution of the linkage structure of ICT industry and its role in the economic system: the case of Korea*

ABSTRACT

When assessing the structural role of an industry sector within an economic system, considering its relationship to other sectors is crucial. Among others, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry, one of the innovation accelerators or key engines of economic growth, is evaluated. Specifically, we analyze inter-industry production inducement linkages within a qualitative input–output analysis framework, since it is useful for understanding the key structure of an economic system. Our purpose is to understand the significant spillover structure of the Republic of Korea’s ICT industry within the national production system, as it has played an important role in the national economy and grown dramatically over the years. The findings from the structural analysis, focused on changes in links, are as follows: First, ICT manufacturing showed a higher degree of heterogeneity than ICT service sectors in its sensitivity effects structure, an indication that this sector needs to be utilized in various other industries. Second, the spectrum of industries having significant production inducement linkages with the ICT industry is limited and furthermore, the influence effects of the ICT manufacturing sector diminished considerably although the ICT industry’s sensitivity effects increased. Finally, intra-industry linkages within the ICT industry are gradually strengthened especially between ICT services and manufacturing. These findings call for sustained policy efforts to promote the virtuous circle in the overall inter-industry production inducement system, by increasing the utilization of products and services from other sectors by ICT sectors (especially ICT manufacturing) as well as the application of ICT in other sectors.     

A smart process controller framework for Industry 4.0 settings

This paper presents a smart supervisory framework for a single process controller, designed for Industry 4.0 shop floors. This digitization of a full supervisory suite for a single process controller enables self-awareness, self-diagnosis, self-prognosis, and self-healing (by definition, these "self" elements are missing from other supervisory frameworks diagnosing numerous controllers in parallel). The proposed framework is aligned with the concept of a Cyber Physical System (CPS), since its implementation generates a rich cyber physical entity of the controlled process. This CPS entity can either be considered as the process digital twin, or can provide a solid basis for generating it. Finally, the framework includes the main characteristics of Industry 4.0, such as advanced use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data analysis. The framework is based on four modules: (1) Control and Awareness module—performing both continuous process control and adjustments, as well as machine learning (ML) and statistical process control (SPC) for identifying abnormalities that require further diagnosis; (2) Process -diagnosis module—performing continual (recurrent) analysis of the process state and trends; (3) Prognosis and Healing module—performing prognosis and automated intervention via parameter changes, re-configurations, and automated maintenance; (4) External Interaction Platform—an interactive module for interfacing with experts, presenting them with the process analysis information and obtaining feedback from them as part of a learning process. Using an implementation showcase to illustrate the methodological framework’s applicability, we demonstrate its real-world potential. The proposed framework could serve as a guide for implementing smart process control and maintenance systems in Industry 4.0 shop floors. It could also provide a firm basis for comparison with future suggested frameworks. Future research directions could include pursuing improvements to the proposed process control framework and validating the framework by case studies of its implementation.

     

Micro ultrasonic welding: joining of chemically inert polymer microparts for single material fluidic components and systems

This paper presents a novel powerful micro joining process—the ultrasonic welding of real micro polymer parts. It seems to be especially suited for the manufacturing of single material, chemically inert plastic microfluidic components and systems for applications in the field of pharmaceutics, biotechnology and life sciences as well as for high temperature polymer fluidic microdevices. The performance of this ‘micro ultrasonic welding’ process, alone using a pneumatic standard ultrasonic welding machine, is demonstrated by the example of covering and sealing microchannels and assembling a piezo-driven micropump.

     

A digital twin to train deep reinforcement learning agent for smart manufacturing plants: Environment,interfaces and intelligence

Filling the gaps between virtual and physical systems will open new doors in Smart Manufacturing. This work proposes a data-driven approach to utilize digital transformation methods to automate smart manufacturing systems. This is fundamentally enabled by using a digital twin to represent manufacturing cells, simulate system behaviors, predict process faults, and adaptively control manipulated variables. First, the manufacturing cell is accommodated to environments such as computer-aided applications, industrial Product Lifecycle Management solutions, and control platforms for automation systems. Second, a network of interfaces between the environments is designed and implemented to enable communication between the digital world and physical manufacturing plant, so that near-synchronous controls can be achieved. Third, capabilities of some members in the family of Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) are discussed with manufacturing features within the context of Smart Manufacturing. Trained results for Deep Q Learning algorithms are finally presented in this work as a case study to incorporate DRL-based artificial intelligence to the industrial control process. As a result, developed control methodology, named Digital Engine, is expected to acquire process knowledges, schedule manufacturing tasks, identify optimal actions, and demonstrate control robustness. The authors show that integrating a smart agent into the industrial platforms further expands the usage of the system-level digital twin, where intelligent control algorithms are trained and verified upfront before deployed to the physical world for implementation. Moreover, DRL approach to automated manufacturing control problems under facile optimization environments will be a novel combination between data science and manufacturing industries.     

INTELLIGENT COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING (I-CIM): Research Perspectives

Abstract

Manufacturing automation has progressed through various stages from simple data transfer to the intelligence-intensive systems. The future of CIM relies heavily on intelligence-intensive systems because manufacturing is no longer confined to one local site and manufacturing systems have become complex because of their global nature. In this article, the authors study the future manufacturing environment as a collaborative effort. The essential characteristics-the requirements for integration from a process and communication perspective-are identified as are steps in the process requiring further study. Finally, Intelligent-Computer Integrated Manufacturing (I-CIM) scenarios are presented for specific problems.     

Past,present, and future barriers to digital transformation in manufacturing: A review

Research in digital transformation (DT) is burgeoning. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has not only influenced both day-to-day functions of firms dramatically, but also their efforts to become more digitally mature. In this review paper, we discuss the barriers to DT before, during, and what may well continue after the COVID-19 pandemic and offer a new strategy discipline—Strategic Doing—that may be useful to manufacturing firms in achieving successful DT. We discuss the divergent definitions and drivers of DT diving deep into the barriers for manufacturing firms to mature digitally. We briefly describe digital readiness and current efforts of DT in manufacturing while describing the impact of COVID-19 on DT initiatives. We conclude by describing Strategic Doing and suggesting new paths for research in this area.     

The digital transformation of healthcare - An interview with Werner Dorfmeister

In this interview, Werner Dorfmeister, a Vice President at DasLab and a former Global Sales Director at Karl Storz, reports on the current developments of digital technologies in the field of medical instruments and services. It is a sector where digitalization affects all processes within hospitals as well as pre- and post-surgical activities. Due to the many actors involved, who use different information systems, and the strong regulation of the entire healthcare sector, crafting digital solutions is complex, but nevertheless promising and necessary. Among the key areas mentioned in the interview are telemedicine, hospital and patient management and a sector-wide digital infrastructure. Digital platforms are described as important enablers to address current inefficiencies and to leverage future potentials towards patient-orientation, such as digital patient pathways.

     

Combined identification of the input-output and noise dynamics of a closed-loop controlled linear system

The open-loop input—output dynamics and the noise dynamics of a feedback controlled linear system perturbed by coloured noise admitting a Markov representation are identified in state variable form using a two-stage algorithm. This system is equivalent to an augmented system driven by white noise.

First the input—output dynamics are identified through a stochastic approximation algorithm using superimposed white noise. Subtracting the model output from the system output yields correlated residuals which are then used to identify the noise dynamics using stochastic realization theory. An innovations representation is obtained that is equivalent to the above defined augmented system. The two stages are combined by a judicious coordinate transformation. The method can be applied on an operating feedback controlled process, regardless of the structure of the unknown suboptimal regulator.     

Dual mode control strategy for the energy efficiency of complex and flexible manufacturing systems

The manufacturing industry is shifting towards smart manufacturing, in which both energy efficiency and flexibility are some of the main objectives of this digital transformation. In this regard, the control strategies for manufacturing systems should be able to support the requirements of this transformation with a low computational burden towards their implementation in real time. To this end, in this paper, a dual mode control strategy based on two control approaches is proposed to minimise the energy consumption of manufacturing systems without affecting their productivity, even when scenarios of flexible manufacturing are considered. The first control mode is based on model predictive control to determine an optimisation-based strategy for the constrained behaviour of the system. Then, the second mode builds on the assumption that the system exhibits a periodic behaviour and, thus, it will be able to switch to an autonomous control mode that avoids the resolution of an optimisation problem online. The proposed control strategy is tested in a manufacturing process line in which changes in the production programs are considered with the aim to test the performance in flexible manufacturing scenarios. The obtained results show that the computational burden could be significantly reduced while reducing global energy consumption without affecting the system productivity.     

Multimedia information using mobile computers: accessing the digital campus and the digital library

Abstract

It is clear that the role of the information resource is changing. Major publishers have been slow to adapt to the emergence of a global digital medium, but there are now signs that a great deal of information will be delivered on-line, (although at present only about 25 databases account for 80% of usage in UK and optical publishing is still in its early stages). However, digital publishing on the Internet — with services for libraries such as just-in-time purchasing and delivery, for example — will be a driving force in creating the ‘global digital medium’. One issue that will become increasingly relevant is how the individual user accesses rich multimedia data in the most appropriate way. The ‘digital university campus’ and the ‘digital library’ are coming to be important concepts, with the aim that users of information services will receive information on-line supported by a ‘ubiquistructure’ of information technology. For the ‘digital campus’ this means that not only scholarly but also teaching activities are based on interactive access to information, and where not only the digital library but also the digital bookshop and the digital classroom are becoming possible with the development of 140Mb/s SuperJANET links. However, it is recognised that libraries will not be truly digital for the foreseeable future, and that libraries will maintain traditional and digital media side by side. In this paper, reporting on work at the University of Bristol's Educational Technology Service multimedia resources unit MRU, and the University of the West of England's Centre for Personal Information Management (in collaboration with Hewlett-Packard Research Laboratories and the University of Bristol's Centre for Communications Research), we look the ‘digital library’ and ‘digital campus’ from the perspective of the individual user and her information needs. We are particularly interested in the use of small, mobile computers as access points to the global digital medium. We suggest that, in an environment of change — where the traditional campus and the traditional library exist alongside the digital campus and digital library — the most appropriate form of access technology is based on ‘personal technology’ which allows a linking between digital information and traditional paper-based information.     

Tolerance analysis based on Monte Carlo simulation: a case of an automotive water pump design optimization

Successful products are those presenting the highest quality at a fair cost. Although different approaches can be used to define the concept of quality, functional reliability is always a major requirement, due to implications such as safety and user losses regarding maintenance expenses, and product availability. Intelligent designs are robust and result in a fair cost. Robust designs are those insensitive to sources of variation occurring during the product life, keeping their performance under variable use conditions, like thermal and stress effects. The robustness approach is a function of two main design criteria: low complexity and tolerance design. Design for manufacture and assembly is closely related to decreasing complexity. Tolerance design is a tool in which the unavoidable manufacturing variations are considered during product development. This work presents a proposal for an intelligent design in an actual application by considering design simplification through the reduction of parts for an automotive water pump. The tolerance analysis is performed by means of a powerful statistical approach—a Monte Carlo simulation—in which process behavior is randomly simulated representing a high production volume. Additionally, service thermal effects are also contemplated, and assembly tests are proposed for automatic rejection of non-conforming parts, assuring high reliability and full compliance with functional requirements. This is an example of integrated design–manufacturing work aiming at both cost saving and improved reliability.

     

DEVELOPMENT OF A KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY IN POLAND

ABSTRACT

In order to maintain the high level of growth in a knowledge-based economy, it is essential to create the special atmosphere in a social environment that supports its development.

The development of a knowledge-based economy requires human capital, the appropriate development of an information infrastructure, and national innovation systems to be interlinked.

The main actions for creating the knowledge-based economy in European-Union–accessing countries are as follows:

1. building institution for research and development and a system of economical incentives.

2. developing an educational system that enables the creation of intellectual capital.

3. building the national information infrastructure, focusing on providing easy access to teleinformation technologies and its promotion and application in central organs of public administration and local governance in the public and private sector, as well as building the basis of a civil society.

     

A novel intelligent particle swarm optimization algorithm for solving cell formation problem

The formation of manufacturing cells forms the backbone of designing a cellular manufacturing system. In this paper, we present a novel intelligent particle swarm optimization algorithm for the cell formation problem. The proposed solution method benefits from the advantages of particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) and self-organization map neural networks by combining artificial individual intelligence and swarm intelligence. Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed intelligent particle swarm optimization algorithm significantly outperforms PSO and yields better solutions than the best solutions existed in the literature of cell formation. The application of the proposed approach is examined in a case problem where real data is utilized for cell reconfiguration of an actual company involved in agricultural manufacturing sector.

     

Making universal digital access universal: lessons from COVID-19 in Singapore

Digital resources—which include devices, internet connection and digital literacy—have become basic needs. Thus with the global COVID-19 pandemic having accelerated digitalization, the urgency for universal digital inclusion has hastened. Otherwise, digital inequality will lead to social inequality and impede social mobility. Using Singapore as a case study, this article applies the insights learned from a participatory action research to recommend a policy framework for universal digital access, with practical humanistic steps towards full digital inclusion. Singapore is a digitally advanced nation with almost universal digital availability, yet when COVID-19 forced rapid digital adoption, gaps in access by vulnerable groups such as low-income households, elderly and migrant workers were found. From the learning points on gaps and measures taken by community groups, volunteers and policy-makers in our research, we recommend making access to all three digital resources automatic and affordable, with an undergirding principle to implement technology among the most digitally excluded first before national roll out. A public-community-corporate funding and partnership model is also proposed to sustain universal provision.

     

An improved MPGA-ACO-BP algorithm and comprehensive evaluation system for intelligence workshop multi-modal data fusion

The digital economy is a new economic form taking data as an important production factor and digital and intelligent technology as a driving force for transformation. The core idea is to extract and fuse the knowledge implicit in data and transform it into intelligence to drive the transformation of traditional manufacturing industries, and one of its key technologies is multi-modal data fusion. In this paper, an improved MPGA-ACO-BP algorithm is proposed, and combined with an improved entropy-weighted TOPSIS method comprehensive evaluation system, which effectively solves the problem of “data scale inconsistency” between modal data leading to difficult model fusion and fusion accuracy. Finally, the validity of the theory and methods of this paper are verified using the example of multi-modal data fusion tool wear prediction in an intelligence workshop. By distilling the corresponding evaluation metrics inductively, the improved comprehensive evaluation system in this paper can also be extended to different production control scenarios to provide them with the corresponding integration information, which has a certain practical value.