March 2019

deep in the mechanical function of the machine itself. If a component is located near the left arm of the machine, it is this arm which picks the component up and begins the process. However, it may be that the right arm is better positioned to attach the component in the right way during assembly, in which case the left arm will pass the component to the right appendage. This is something which would not be possible from purely reactive AI. What we are seeing here is interpretation. The machine receives the specifications of its instructions and then uses these to construct a program which will enable it to complete these instructions and achieve the necessary objectives. Rather than pre-programming the machine for each new task, however small, the autonomous system will be able to handle the entire process itself, greatly increasing efficiency and effectiveness across the board. So what does this mean for manufacturing here in the United Kingdom, as well as further afield? Martin Thomas, European marketing manager at Radwell International Ltd explains more: “The first and arguably most obvious benefit is to manufacturing firms themselves, specifically in the ways in which they are able to complete tasks on either a large or a small scale. These firms will find their corporate agility is greatly increased, as they are able to complete orders with minimal advance notice, to a high degree of accuracy and quality. The cost and risk of the process will also be improved. These advantages will then be passed on to the consumer in terms of more advantageous pricing and increased accessibility to truly life-changing technology.” This element was at the heart of a report issued by the UK Government’s Office for Science, which described how the future of UK’s manufacturing industry must align with the needs and expectations of the general public. Thomas continues: “Sustainability is another key benefit. As we look to the future, the challenges facing us as a species are evolving. It is up to us to find the most resource-efficient means to craft the technological solutions of tomorrow, enabling us not only to conserve and protect resource supplies on Earth, but also to effectively develop revolutionary technological solutions which enable us to live in better harmony with nature and the environment.” “As manufacturing technology evolves, the workforce will need to develop also in order to keep pace. Traditional roles will be replaced by supervisory positions, and other positions associated with the maintenance and upkeep of machinery. Anxiety surrounding direct unemployment as a result of smart robotics should prove to be unfounded, as the shifting landscape will lead to the creation of other jobs to take the place of traditional, manual, production line tasks.” Thomas concludes by stating that although we may not yet have two feet placed squarely in the age of smart manufacturing and autonomous systems, “we are standing at its precipice. What comes next promises to be perhaps the most exciting chapter in the history of manufacturing to date.” For further information please visit: www.radwell.co.uk | 14 | March 2019 www.smartmachinesandfactories.com | FEATURES |