There’s More to Learning Than Completing Course Work

Robotics encompasses a wide range of domains, including mechanics, electronics, machinery and most recently, artificial intelligence algorithms.  

Measuring student success in these complex subjects requires a holistic framework that considers more than just grades or test scores. True mastery of core concepts demands real-world application and practical contributions to the field. This hands-on approach fosters more profound understanding and knowledge retention, making learning more enjoyable. 

Transforming educational robotics into an experiential endeavour also makes tracking milestones and identifying learning gaps easier, so students can benefit from a more rounded experience. 

4 Steps to Measuring Student Success in Robotics

Robotics is becoming increasingly popular, equipping students with valuable skills and preparing them for exciting careers in STEM fields. Follow these steps to help you assess study proficiency.  

1. Define Learning Objectives

Defining the learning objectives is the first step to measuring success in any educational venture. What are they trying to achieve by studying robotics? What skills do they want to develop? Depending on their level, learning objectives might vary from understanding the basics to solving real-world problems or participating in competitions.

It’s also important to factor in the criteria and standards they have to meet. Different states and institutions have unique requirements. For instance, the Utah Education Board requires students intending to study robotics to pass a basic safety test with zero errors before handling equipment. These considerations are vital for establishing baselines and measuring learning outcomes.

2. Leverage Rubrics Assessments

A rubric is a specialized scoring guide that assesses components and expectations for a particular type of work or performance based on specific criteria and levels.

This tool can cover various aspects of robotics programming, including the systemic process, the final product and presentation. For example, schools might employ a rubric to rate a robot’s design and functionality on a predefined scale from 1-7 with detailed descriptions of what each level entails. You can utilize existing rubrics tools, such as those from the LEGO Education or the BHP Foundation. 

“Rubrics can be used to assess different aspects of robotic design and programming on a predetermined scale.” 

3. Track Data and Results

Another way to measure student progress in robotics education is to collect and analyze data that support learning goals. That means tracking specific features, such as the robot’s speed, accuracy and overall efficiency. Several tools, such as IoT sensors, timers, counters or specialized software, are available to gather and process relevant data about robot performance. 

You can also employ physical observation and surveys to better understand how well a robotic project is progressing, especially in a group setting. For example, a class survey can reveal students’ engagement with a particular coding task, which is essential to their success. The results from the analyzed data can then be used to compare against benchmarks and refine areas of improvement. 

4. Incorporate Peer Assessments

Peer review is the backbone of scientific innovation. Students can excel individually at robotics, but without critical review and consensus from their peers, they cannot be certain about the project’s viability and relevance. These assessments involve students objectively giving and receiving feedback from their colleagues about their robot designs or specific aspects of the project. 

In addition to substantiating the quality and integrity of scholarly work, peer reviews foster collaboration and communication, which can further enhance innovation among students. 

“Peer assessment is essential to ensuring the credibility and relevance of scientific research.” 

Integrate Metrics Into Educational Strategic Planning

To be effective, these success metrics must be interwoven into the institution’s strategic planning. Once ingrained in the foundation, it becomes a standard by which future achievements are measured. 

“Strategic planning allows school leaders to determine more effective ways to streamline processes and make informed decisions.” 

Across the education sector, strategic plans are more likely to be implemented when one person is in charge. The same principle applies to learning institutions and individual students. Anyone interested in studying robotics must take responsibility for their learning and recovery from temporary setbacks. 

Of course, schools must also recognize that everyone has varying levels of skills in the subject and should make plans to provide individualized support so struggling students can catch up. Personalized learning also transforms students into the heroes of their own stories, driving them to push past barriers and maximize their potential. 

Promote Effective Robotics Learning

Measuring success in robotics ensures that students are acquiring the necessary skills and experience to excel in the field. It also helps educators identify gaps in understanding and obtain a clearer picture of each student’s proficiency level, allowing them to provide personalized support each step of the way.

Also Read How AI Is Creating a New Digital Divide in Schools

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The medical industry faces higher standards than most, so new technologies take a while to become common in this sector. The growth of AI surgery robots has been slow, but some models are already in use. Many others show substantial promise in their early development stages. Here’s a closer look at how these technologies could transform the industry.

Going Where Human Hands Can’t

“The most obvious advantage of AI and robots in the OR is that machines often have finer motor control than humans. That means surgery bots can work on patients without needing large, invasive cuts while reducing the risk of errors.” 

Despite surgeons’ extensive training, roughly 4,000 surgical errors occur in the U.S. each year. Some of these stem from tiredness or distraction — something AI can’t experience. Others come from the difficulty of operating in tight, sensitive spaces, which smaller, more precise robotic controls make easier.

Early robotic surgery examples have resulted in fewer complications and blood loss. These robots don’t replace human surgeons entirely but use AI and robotic assistance to operate in smaller spaces with less motion as surgeons guide them. As AI improves, it could further help by recognizing emerging complications and adjusting automatically or alerting doctors to prevent further injury or mistakes.

Making Medical Implants Less Intrusive

AI-powered robots can also help outside of surgery itself. Robotic surgical implants can monitor patients’ post-operation health or administer medication over time to ensure better ongoing health. AI makes these implants less disruptive and more effective.

Unlike their industrial counterparts, these robots are typically made of materials like liquid silicone rubber, which is resistant to bacterial growth and hypoallergenic. This soft material also lets them sit in patients’ bodies without disturbing the tissue around them, preventing complications. Some even use AI to detect and move in response to changing tissue conditions to avoid scarring.

AI also lets robotic implants determine when to inject certain medications and how much of them to administer. That way, patients get the care they need, even as their bodies change. This more personalized approach to health care promotes better patient outcomes.

Enabling Remote Surgery

“One of the most exciting applications for AI-powered OR robots is remote surgery.” 

Some of the same surgical robots that improve in-person surgery precision support remote operation. Hospitals can use these to bring leading medical care to more people across the world.

Remote surgery is particularly important in light of how the world will be short 10 million medical workers by 2030. With conventional methods, that means patients in some areas may be unable to access life-saving surgery without traveling, which introduces further risks. Remote-controlled robots mean experts on the other side of the world can operate on these patients to address that gap.

AI makes this technology more reliable. Lag and errors from not seeing things in person can cause potentially dangerous mistakes in remote surgery. AI can detect these issues and counteract them in real-time to prevent errors and ensure patient safety.

AI and Robotics Will Usher in a New Era of Medicine

AI-guided robots likely won’t replace human surgeons, especially anytime soon. Rather, they assist them so they can use their talents to their full potential.

As technology improves, the potential for AI and robotics in surgery will only grow. These innovations have already improved the OR in many ways despite their relative newness. It’s safe to say that this trend will continue in the future, leading to new levels of patient safety and healthcare accessibility.

Also Read The Real Impact of AI in the Workplace

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With generative AI, this innovation takes a step further. It learns from a vast amount of medical data, generating new patterns and solutions in real time. Think of it as having the ability to anticipate during surgery, offering practitioners unprecedented support. You’re witnessing a revolutionary partnership where AI assists and innovates, ensuring every move in the operating room is as informed and precise as possible.

Historical Perspective

You’ve probably heard of surgical robots and their early promise to extend the capabilities of human hands. These machines turned complex tasks into simpler ones, allowing professionals to perform delicate procedures with enhanced visibility and control.

As remarkable as these advances were, adding automation has been like putting a turbocharger in a high-performance car. By integrating AI, those surgical robots learn from every procedure they assist with, getting more competent and efficient over time.

“Surgical robots allow professionals to perform delicate procedures with enhanced visibility and control.” 

Understanding Generative AI

Unlike traditional AI, which analyzes data and follows rules, generative AI goes further. It can recognize patterns in vast amounts of data, learn from them, and generate unseen solutions or ideas that make sense given the info.

In simpler terms, think of it as teaching a robot to recognize every painting by a famous artist, then asking it to paint something new that still looks like that artist made it. In robotic surgery, generative AI takes in all the information from past surgeries, learns the techniques and helps craft new surgical plans tailor-made for each patient, sometimes even during surgery.

“Generative AI can recognize patterns in vast amounts of data, learn from them, and generate unseen solutions or ideas that still make sense.” 

Benefits of Generative AI in Robotic Surgery

As you’ve seen, robotic surgery has come a long way, but the infusion of AI is truly unlocking its potential. However, it doesn’t just assist surgeons — it amplifies their abilities, bringing life-changing benefits to the future of health care.

Enhanced Precision and Accuracy

In robotic surgery, precision and accuracy are paramount. Generative AI steps into the spotlight by enhancing these critical factors beyond human capability. It’s like having a co-pilot who can accurately map out the surgery.

This automated co-pilot assists in planning and executing surgical procedures with meticulous detail, reducing the chances of complications and improving overall success rates. You get a system where every incision, stitch and intervention comes with extreme precision, unique to the patient’s anatomy. For example, the da Vinci Surgical System resulted in fewer severe complications, morbidity and blood loss.

Real-Time Adaptive Decision Making

One of the most impressive features of AI in robotic surgery is its ability to make decisions on the fly. Picture a surgeon performing a complex procedure where every second counts. Here, AI is like a dynamic guide, adjusting the operation in real time and responding to the slightest changes in the patient’s condition.

This nimble decision making can be critical, especially during high-stakes surgeries where quickly adapting can mean the difference between success and complications. With AI, surgeons have a partner that never tires, continuously analyzing and suggesting the best action.

Reduced Human Error

The touch of automation in robotic surgery isn’t just about enhancing skills — it’s also about reducing the margin for error. Human hands are remarkable, but even the steadiest can slip. AI is a vigilant overseer that offers a safety net to minimize these risks.

It keeps a watchful eye on every movement, is ready to correct deviations and ensures the surgery stays on the right track. Automation means better outcomes, fewer mistakes and a level of consistency only technology can offer, giving surgeons and patients more confidence in the operating room. For example, the da Vinci system has performed over seven million surgeries worldwide.

“[AI] keeps a watchful eye on every movement, is ready to correct deviations and ensures the surgery stays on the right track.” 

Safety and Ethical Considerations

Safety is fundamental in AI-driven surgeries, as these advanced systems offer a new layer of protection. The technology helps monitor procedures, ensuring everything goes as planned and alerting the team to potential issues before they arise. This vigilant oversight is crucial in surgeries where the stakes are incredibly high.

However, as AI takes on more responsibility in the operating room, it also brings a new set of ethical considerations. Questions arise about who is responsible if something goes wrong — the surgeon, the hospital or the developers? How do people ensure the AI makes decisions in the patient’s best interest? Addressing these dilemmas requires clear guidelines and a solid ethical framework, ensuring the patient’s welfare remains at the heart of technological advancement.

The Future of Generative AI in Medicine

This wave of development brings with it a promise of better health care that’s accessible to more people than ever before. It’s an invitation to embrace the new tech frontier for what it truly offers — a chance to provide precision and care that was once a dream. As these technologies develop, they bring people closer to a future where professionals can detect and treat health issues earlier, improve outcomes, and fundamentally change lives.

Also Read Generative AI is Set to Revolutionize the Automotive Industry

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This discourse encompasses broader questions about the necessity of adaptability in the face of automation and the opportunities from the coexistence of humans and cobots. As industries evolve, finding the equilibrium between these two paradigms is crucial to shaping a workforce that thrives in an increasingly automated world.

Understanding Robots and Cobots

“Robots and cobots represent distinct categories of machines with unique characteristics and applications across various industries.” 

Robots are autonomous machines that perform tasks independently, often with artificial intelligence and automation. They can operate without human intervention and execute a wide range of functions. Robots have applications in numerous industries, such as manufacturing, automotive and logistics.

Conversely, cobots work alongside humans in a shared workspace. They collaborate directly with human workers, enhancing their capabilities rather than replacing them. These machines often have advanced sensors and safety features to ensure safe human interaction. Health care workers can use cobots to assist in surgery and patient care. Scientists can also use them in laboratories for tasks like pipetting and handling delicate instruments.

The Impact of Automation

Automation has significantly impacted the job market, with positive and negative consequences. It has transformed industries, streamlined processes and led to the creation of new jobs while also raising concerns about job displacement in specific sectors.

Here are some examples of industries where robots have replaced human workers:

Manufacturing Robots handle tasks like welding and assembly, improving precision but reducing manual labor demand.

Automotive Robots aid in car assembly and welding, enhancing efficiency while reducing the need for human workers.

Agriculture Automation with autonomous tractors and robotic harvesters boosts productivity but decreases farm labor requirements.

“Warehousing Robots increase efficiency in picking and packing orders but reduce manual labor positions.” 

Service industry Chatbots and virtual assistants automate customer support and routine tasks, impacting customer service jobs.

It’s essential to note that while automation has displaced some jobs, it has also created new opportunities. For instance, the development, maintenance, and operation of robots and automation systems have increased employment in robotics engineering, programming and technical support.

Collaborative Robotics in Action

Cobots have proven their effectiveness in the mentioned industries as well. They collaborate with human workers, bringing about several advantages, including heightened productivity and enhanced safety.

Manufacturing Cobots excel in precision assembly, enhancing product quality and production speed through collaboration with human operators.

Health care They assist surgeons with delicate procedures, reducing human errors and improving precision for safer operations.

Logistics and warehousing Cobots aid in order fulfillment, alleviating physical strain on human workers, promoting safety and increasing efficiency.

Agriculture They streamline fruit harvesting, ensuring crop quality and higher yields through collaborative efforts with human workers.

Laboratories In research settings, cobots handle precise tasks like pipetting and instrument handling, improving experiment reliability through collaboration with scientists.

The key benefit of cobots lies in their ability to work alongside humans, enhancing productivity by combining their strengths. Moreover, their advanced sensors and safety features make them safe to work with, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Addressing Common Concerns

Common fears and misconceptions about automation and job loss often revolve around believing machines will entirely replace human workers. However, experts say that while automation does impact specific jobs, it also creates new opportunities for and emphasizes the human role in cobot-driven industries.

Automation and mass unemployment Historical evidence shows automation creates new jobs, and cobots enhance roles, ensuring a continued human workforce.

Robots replacing all manual labor jobs Humans are essential for complex tasks — cobots handle repetitive work, allowing people to focus on strategic aspects.

Automation vs. job growth Industries embracing automation experience growth, and cobots boost efficiency and job creation in related fields.

Irrelevance of human skills Natural capabilities like critical thinking remain valuable, while cobots rely on human oversight and decision-making.

Dehumanized workplaces with automation Collaborative cobots enhance safety and job satisfaction, freeing people for creative and fulfilling tasks.

While concerns about job loss due to automation are valid, the collaborative nature of cobots offers a path to a future where people and machines work together synergistically.

Emphasizing the human role in cobot-driven industries highlights the potential for job enhancement, skills development and continued workforce participation in an increasingly automated world.

The Road to a Collaborative Future

Cobots are not here to replace humans but to collaborate with them, creating a future where both can harness their strengths. This offers numerous opportunities for increased productivity, safety and job enhancement.

It’s time to welcome this future with open arms and a positive outlook. Embracing the possibilities of cobot-human teamwork lets people lead the way into a more efficient, innovative and fulfilling work environment. Together, humans and robots are shaping a future where collaboration reigns and the potential for progress knows no bounds.

Also Read, Using AI and Machine Learning to Redefine Company Performance

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What Are Typical Operating Costs in a Business?

Operating costs are the basic expenses incurred by a company to keep functioning. They differ depending on the nature of the business, but they typically include employee salary and benefits, property taxes, equipment and vehicle maintenance, and marketing costs.

In recent years, due to global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, operating costs have significantly increased for many small and medium-sized businesses. Therefore, SMES needs to find ways to reduce them. One way to accomplish this is by utilizing robotics technology.

“Regular, repetitive tasks are perfect for robots to perform.”

• Reducing the Need for Manpower

One of the most significant advantages of a robot workforce is the ability to reduce the amount of staffing needed to perform tasks. Investing in robotic workers can significantly reduce costs for SMEs in the long run by eliminating the need to hire new employees.

Regular, repetitive tasks are perfect for robots to perform. Compared to human workers, robots don’t get tired or lose focus. They can continue to work at maximum efficiency for as long as they are powered by electricity. 

For SMEs, this means less money going to pay salaries and benefits. Robots have a high upfront cost, as well as repair and maintenance fees. However, these expenses are generally much cheaper than paying the $15 minimum wage for human workers. 

Funds that could have been used to pay new employees can be reallocated to maintenance and other operating costs — potentially increasing productivity. In addition, SMEs can now take advantage of robot rental services. These are generally much cheaper than buying a robotic workforce wholesale. 

The advantages of robots in the workplace are even more critical to a small or medium-sized company suffering from losing employees. The “great resignation” caused staff shortages for many companies — and SMEs are feeling the effects more strongly.

Investing in robotics solutions can help SMEs compensate for a workforce shortage — allowing them to maintain or even increase their efficiency despite fewer employees. This can save small or medium businesses by ensuring they meet their goals. 

“Robotic helpers are straightforward tools programmed to do tasks with precision and speed.”

• Creating a Better Workplace

While robotics is a suitable replacement for lost employees, they are also an excellent way to help retain them. Studies show that losing a worker can cost an SME a lot of money. It costs one-half to twice a worker’s yearly salary to replace them.

Therefore, it’s in a business’s best interest to try to retain as many employees as possible. One of the biggest reasons people leave their jobs is because of exponential increases in workload. Too much can take a toll on a workforce — especially if they are short-staffed.

Technology can be a source of relief or an additional burden, depending on the tools a business invests in for its employees. In a recent study, 49% of global employees stated they were frustrated with the digital tools their employer provides. The ideal digital programs should streamline processes, not make them more complicated. Robotic helpers are straightforward tools programmed to do tasks with precision and speed. 

Assigning robots to do repetitive, low-effort tasks can reduce the workload for employees. This can allow them to allocate their time to more productive jobs — reducing stress and improving productivity.

“Companies can use robots to perform more hazardous tasks in the workplace.”

• Ensuring Workplace Safety 

Robotics in the workplace can do more than reduce employee stress. Another of the most significant sources of lost money is the cost of injuries. Studies show that businesses lose $1,080 for every worker injured on the job. The cost of insurance and workers’ compensation will make that figure much higher.

Companies can use robots to perform more hazardous tasks in the workplace. One of the most common sources of injuries is lifting and transporting heavy materials. Instead of human workers performing this task, robots can bear the burden while an employee supervises. 

Having robots work on these tasks can significantly reduce or even eliminate potential causes of workplace injuries. Maintaining and repairing a broken robot is much more affordable than caring for injured people. Robots doing the heavy lifting also boosts employee morale because they know they’ll be safe from harm. 

The Robot Workforce Can Help SMEs Reduce Costs

Inflation is making everything more expensive, and SME operating costs are increasing exponentially. Robotics technology can help businesses reduce those expenses by covering workloads during staff shortages, relieving current employees while eliminating the need to hire new ones. 

Robots can also help increase company productivity and make the workplace safer for people, reducing the number of workplace injuries and the costs that come with them.

Also Read How Does Robotic Automation Apply to Fashion Warehouses?

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Decreasing Typing Tasks

Some RPA tools can handle incoming and outgoing emails before educators even see them. It eliminates much of the busy work that often comprises so much of their typical workdays.

Such solutions generally assess an email’s content as the first step. Then, they’ll create a confidence score for what the email says. If the RPA system has high confidence, it sends a response without input from teachers or anyone else involved in email management. Educators only get involved when the RPA tool has low confidence in the email’s content and needs guidance.

Such setups are particularly useful when parents send emails that are easy to answer. An educator might set up specific templates for an RPA tool to use. Then, they only have to type more detailed responses when an email’s content is more complex.

Consider an example where students send homework via email. An educator could use RPA to confirm receipt of the work or flag that a learner forgot to include a necessary attachment.

RPA is also valuable during periods like the start of a school year, when an educator may need to send welcome emails to dozens of new students and their parents. Teachers still need to add personal touches to the correspondence, but they can eliminate or reduce some of the email content that must go in every message.

“RPA can send email responses without any input from teachers.” 

Saving Time During Essential Duties

Many jobs educators do feature elements of both repetition and individualization. Lesson planning is an excellent example. Teachers typically follow specific frameworks to ensure the lesson content meets state or national standards. However, they’ll also adjust the plans for each student, depending on the learner’s strengths and needs.

In Scotland, the Aberdeen City Council became the first in the country to use RPA for creating lesson plans. This RPA application caused positive changes equivalent to hiring 14 more teachers because it saved so much time.

Some lesson plans even include teaching learners how to send emails. That content is particularly beneficial for younger learners or people learning English as a second language.

Emails are an integral part of everyday life for many, but everyone had to learn how to send them at some point. Imagine an RPA solution that could help teachers create lesson plans faster, then distribute themed content directly to students’ inboxes.

“An RPA application used in Scotland saved so much time that it provided the equivalent of hiring 14 new educators.” 

Ensuring Educators See Emails By Priority Level

Email is a convenient communication method, but it can quickly become overwhelming. That’s because most people have their inboxes set up to receive all emails as they arrive. However, a best practice for email management is to prioritize how and when you handle messages. You’ll almost certainly find some need prompt attention and others do not require responses at all.

RPA can work in the background to prioritize emails. Some systems learn over time which emails are more or less important. People can also tweak settings so they see emails in batches at preset times. That way, users don’t get interrupted whenever a new message arrives.

Some RPA systems also learn to recognize specific keywords. Those could include “sick child,” “late homework,” or “missed assignment.” Those are all matters that might need quick attention from a teacher.

Many educators have faced extraordinary challenges over the past several years and some are now dealing with burnout as a result. One issue is they often must spend so much of their time doing things other than teaching. RPA can address that issue, particularly as it relates to email management.

“Some RPA systems can prioritize emails, and learning over time which is more or less important.” 

Improving Processing Times and Procedures

Many education systems use email content as an early warning system. For example, certain phrases could indicate an at-risk student or one with extremist views that could put themselves or others in danger.

In the United Kingdom, the Department for Education deployed an RPA tool known as Automated Robot Negating the Onerous Logging of Data — or ARNOLD. Before using ARNOLD, workers handled about 120,000 emails from the public each year by manually putting data into a system. That took significant time, requiring someone to read a message and understand it in context, then categorize it before it went to the right person.

Now, ARNOLD reviews each email categorizes it by risk level, and performs the required data entry into the education department’s system. The RPA tool examines hundreds of variables associated with each email to decide how to classify it. This setup has eliminated the manual data entry linked to incoming emails.

Staff members say this change has helped them focus on service delivery rather than administration. It also makes it easier for them to spot the emails that require the quickest action, such as those about at-risk students or underperforming schools.

Robotic Process Automation Makes Email Management Simpler

Today’s educators can’t avoid writing and responding to emails. However, as these examples show, a robotic process automation tool could help them save time and engage in more rewarding and relevant work.

Some education department decision-makers hesitate to do things differently, especially if the new processes require financial resources. That means teachers may need to speak specifically about how much time and energy they currently spend on writing emails and how RPA would be a game-changer in allowing them to devote more time to what they do best.

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Here are some ways robotic automation encourages innovation and higher efficiency in fashion warehouses. 

Managing the Workforce

One of the top concerns regarding robotic automation is where it leaves the human jobs it takes over. However, the advantages may be too appealing for companies to ignore. Regarding workforce management, some benefits include higher efficiency and quality that humans cannot match. 

Another factor is that many warehouses are facing difficulty finding and retaining workers, which could be solved with robot automation. Warehouses with robots could save money on the costs associated with constantly finding, hiring, training and retaining employees. 

“Warehouses with robots could save money on the costs associated with constantly finding, hiring, training and retaining employees.” 

Options for Expansion

Companies that go down the path of robotic automation in their warehouses could expand business much more quickly. 

For example, opening a new warehouse that will be filled with employees could take months — from advertising positions to hiring to training. Fully automated warehouses allow companies to go from an empty building to one that is completely functional within a few weeks. 

More Accurate CAD Designs

An item’s accuracy is important to warehouse operations. Products made incorrectly during manufacturing could pause or slow down these facilities. 

One way to help ensure items are manufactured properly so warehouses can operate smoothly is with more accurate CAD drawings during the manufacturing stage. They provide a visual representation of a product being designed. Creativity is an essential part of this process, but robotic automation software can help make CAD designs in the fashion industry more accurate. 

Some automated CAD tools improve the accuracy of drawings by automatically aligning an overlay to a part, allowing engineers to compare it to data. In the fashion industry, engineers can compare a CAD drawing to a finished clothing item to find and eliminate errors.

“One way to help ensure items are manufactured properly so warehouses can operate smoothly is with more accurate CAD drawings during the manufacturing stage.”

Meeting Order Demands 

Meeting demand appropriately is difficult in the fashion industry. No one really knows how quickly trends will pass or when spikes in demand will fade, which can create a lot of warehouse waste if things change faster than companies expect. 

Robots can analyze how people are reviewing products to keep warehouses on track. This way, warehouse managers won’t have to worry too much about stocking pieces that are not in style. 

Better Cleaning Processes

There is a lot of potential for robotic automation in terms of cleaning a warehouse. Managers could send robots out after hours to clean floors, shelves, dust and more. Many companies are already taking advantage of robotic automation for this purpose, including Walmart. In 2018, it announced an autonomous cleaner would clean and polish floors so employees could focus on other, more important tasks. 

Fashion warehouses can use this tech for the same purposes — saving employees time and letting them focus on meeting company goals. 

Inventory Management

Another possibility for robotic automation in fashion warehouses is inventory management. Robots can manage stock and take account of products that are running low, not selling or need reordering. Too much or not enough inventory can slow a company down, and robotic automation helps ensure stock levels are OK and production can continue. 

“Too much or not enough inventory can slow a company down, and robotic automation helps ensure stock levels are OK and production can continue.” 

Packing and Shipment

Robots can also pack fashion and retail items for shipment, saving warehouses time and freeing up space quickly. Robots in other industries are already equipped to load equipment and products.

These robots are programmed to pack items intelligently, including putting more fragile items on top and ensuring products are equally distributed among bags. 

Fashion warehouses can use robot automation to pack pieces of clothing or accessories that need to be shipped to stores. Chances of damage from incorrect packing can be reduced or avoided altogether. 

“Chances of damage from incorrect packing can be reduced or avoided altogether.” 

Robotic Automation Offers Many Advantages for Fashion Warehouses

Robotic automation offers many advantages and opportunities for innovation in fashion warehouses. Robots can make inventory management more efficient, help reduce human errors in design and production, and complete more mundane tasks like cleaning and organization. Management should weigh the possible pros of robotic automation in fashion warehouses and consider how it can improve operations.

Also Read 8 Ways Robotic Industry Can be Used to Restructure the Marine Industry

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1. Develop New Robots for the Marine Industry 

One of the clearest benefits of robotics education for the marine industry is the development of new robots specifically designed for this sector. Robots are already taking on key roles, such as cleaning hulls. These bots have proven extremely useful for reducing the time and money spent on dry dock cleaning and decreasing the spread of invasive species. 

Hull-cleaning robots are just a glimpse at the robotics and automation-driven future. This trend is on the rise in virtually every industry today, and the marine sector is no exception. As robots gain greater importance, marine-specific robotics experts will be in increasingly high demand. 

2. Support the Autonomous Shipping Movement

AI is coming to cargo ships and may be here sooner than you think. Autonomous shipping could help relieve pressure on the global supply chain and completely transform the marine industry. Robotics education will be crucial for supporting and powering the autonomous ships of the future. 

Increasing the availability of robotics education programs will be key to reskilling the marine industry for autonomous ships. Some jobs will no longer be needed, such as those on board large cargo vessels, while others will be required in droves, such as autonomous ship operators and coordinators at ports. 

“The Yara Bikeland is the world’s first fully autonomous electric cargo ship. It completed its maiden voyage in 2022.” — Ship Technology” 

3. Strengthen Marine Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity has never been more important. The marine industry faces a range of cyberthreats today, from common phishing attacks to malware and remote hijacking. The only way to prepare for these digital threats is through education. 

Robotics is ideal for building computer literacy and programming skills, which are vital to cybersecurity careers. That said, most upper-level cyber professionals require a four-year degree. However, a general-purpose robotics education program is great for giving marine industry employees and trainees some basic but invaluable skills. Examples include code literacy, understanding data backups and storage, and identifying malicious code and software. 

4. Improve Marine Software Development

More advanced and specialized software programs will be needed as technology plays an increasingly crucial role in the marine industry. This includes marine-specific software, such as programs for coordinating the movement of autonomous ships around ports. Robotics education is valuable for building computer literacy and development skills at all levels. 

It is important to remember that robotics education is just as much about programming and software as mechanical and electrical engineering. Students may gravitate toward the programming end of things during training, possibly indicating someone is a good candidate for a career in marine software development. Robotics education is the perfect opportunity to identify and nurture that talent. 

“The average time it takes to identify a cyberattack in your system is 140 days. That’s 140 days criminals can steal information from your company or your ship and use it to their advantage.” — Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies 

5. Attract the Next Generation

Current industry professionals will need to prioritize attracting younger generations to marine careers for the marine industry to evolve in the years ahead. Gen-Z is just beginning to enter the workforce, but one thing is already clear: These young new hires are looking for careers in technology. 

Numerous surveys over recent years have shown that Gen-Z continues to gravitate toward tech-focused roles and workplaces where technology is frequently used. Robotics is a popular and attractive career field for young people. It is also a great way to get students still in middle and high school interested in marine careers. Robotics involves creativity, problem-solving and the technology that Gen-Z is natively adept with. 

A robotics education program could be a great way for you to engage young people in the marine industry and attract older members of Gen-Z who are entering the workforce to these careers. Education is especially important for supporting women in STEM and diversifying the sector. 

6. Back Climate Initiatives 

Working toward positive climate initiatives is important for the marine industry. Another element of attracting young new hires is demonstrating care for the environment. Climate change is one of Gen-Z’s top concerns worldwide. Additionally, the general public is increasingly expecting organizations of all sizes to take action to combat it. The marine industry is doing its part — with robots. 

Robots are emerging as a leading solution to marine pollution, with more ocean cleanup bots emerging every year. For instance, popular video game company Razer has partnered with robotics company Clearbot to create an autonomous machine that removes trash from waterways. Similarly, Dutch startup BeachBot is developing an autonomous robot that collects garbage from beaches, preventing it from polluting oceans. 

The marine industry needs more robots like these to address ocean pollution worldwide. Robotics education is the first step toward increasing robotics knowledge in the sector and attracting young people with an interest in climate technology. 

“Every year, 11 million metric tons of plastics enter our ocean on top of the estimated 200 million metric tons that currently circulate our marine environments.” — Ocean Conservancy

7. Boost Marine Industry Safety 

Safety is a top concern in the spotlight for many industries. This trend will only continue in the years to come as young people enter the workforce and put greater emphasis on workplace conditions. The marine industry may not be more dangerous than similar sectors, but there is always room for improvement. Robots can help strengthen marine industry safety. 

Marine industry employees can learn how to work safely with robots through robotics education courses. This is particularly important in ports where robotic forklifts and autonomous vehicles are used. 

Robots can take on dangerous or risky tasks to help keep employees safe, but robotics education ensures no one is unintentionally endangered in the process. This will help the industry adapt to the increasing number of bots. 

8. Enhance Marine Training Programs 

The marine industry is a diverse field with a wide range of career possibilities, all of which can benefit from the addition of robotics education in training programs. For instance, robotic AI-powered simulations allow people to learn to be ship pilots and masters get a more realistic training experience. 

Adding robotics-specific courses in marine training programs could also help attract young people to the industry. Robots play an important role in the sector, so making robotics-specific classes a priority could go a long way toward showing young people that marine careers go well beyond sailors. As an added benefit, making robotics education a central part of the training will help future-proof the industry and prepare it for widespread automation. 

Powering the Future of the Marine Industry

The marine industry is on the brink of a widespread technological transformation with robotics front and center. Education is key to ensuring it has the personnel and knowledge needed to adapt and innovate. Robots are taking on an increasingly important role in the sector, and education is the only way to ensure the robot-powered future is set up for smooth sailing.

Also Read Green Robots: Fighting Climate Change Using Robots

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AI systems have become vital in health care and pharmaceutical research, retail, marketing, finance, and more. Some proponents have even considered the use of this technology in law enforcement. Would AI police bots be a safer alternative in the future?

“The most common use for AI in police work right now is facial recognition – monitoring individuals’ faces in areas that get a lot of traffic like train stations or significant events.” 

Benefits of AI in Police Work

The entire world is steeped in technology. Everything from the mobile phone in a pocket or purse to the smart tech making home life easier relies on one of the many programming languages that power the world. Modern police work is no exception. The most common use for AI in police work right now is facial recognition – monitoring individuals’ faces in areas that get a lot of traffic, like train stations or significant events.

Body cams collect massive amounts of video footage, all of which can be used as evidence of a crime. While reviewing this video footage manually is possible, it’s not an efficient option. An AI system can sort through the footage, looking for patterns or identifying information in a fraction of the time it would take for a human analyst to complete the same task.

“Robots could become valuable tools for evidence collection. Robots don’t have hair or skin cells that could contaminate a crime scene, ensuring a better chain of custody” 

Axon, the country’s largest producer of police body cameras, piloted such a program in 2014, claiming its AI could describe the events shown in body cam footage accurately. In 2019, they decided not to commercialize the programming. Testing showed that the programs provided unreliable and unequal identification across various races and ethnicities.

Robots could become valuable tools for evidence collection. Robots don’t have hair or skin cells that could contaminate a crime scene, ensuring a better chain of custody. It also means fewer errors that could prevent a conviction or leave an innocent person in jail accused of a crime they didn’t commit.

Unfortunately, security robots aren’t currently the smartest tools in the toolshed. A security robot named Steve was programmed to patrol the riverside Washington Harbor complex in Washington, D.C. Instead, it rolled down the stairs and attempted to drown itself in a fountain.

“Comprehensive oversight would be necessary to introduce any AI-powered police robot to the force” 

Dangers of AI Police Bots

The most significant risk lies in the fact that humans still program these devices and, as such, are subject to human biases. How can programmers create an unbiased AI system when teaching these networks how to think and complete their tasks? It’s the same problem that self-driving cars are facing with the Trolley Problem thought exercise. Do they teach the system to kill one person to save five, or simply do not decide?

Comprehensive oversight would be necessary to introduce any AI-powered police robot to the force. Without this oversight, there is little to nothing preventing someone from programming these systems to target BIPOC individuals. Tools designed to save lives and prevent crime could easily be twisted into tools of oppression.

Google already showed this was a possibility in 2017 with one of the earliest incarnations of their natural language processing AI. Homophobia was written into its core programming, giving negative ratings to any searches that involved the word “gay.” Google has since fixed the issue and apologized for the programmed bias. Still, this error showcases how easy it would be for this technology to be abused, even if the bias isn’t conscious.

Artificial intelligence has long been the favoured antagonist in futuristic entertainment. Audiences have seen it featured in many franchises over the years, and almost all of these antagonists have one thing in common: the AI determines that humans are no longer capable of caring for themselves, so they take extreme measures – including destroying the human race – to “protect” humanity from itself.

AI police bots likely wouldn’t go that far, but it’s not the AI that sparks fear – it’s the worry that the technology could be exploited, leaving vulnerable communities at risk.

Creating a Safer Future

Artificial intelligence and the tools it supports are becoming a part of our daily life, but that doesn’t mean the technology is without risks. AI could help protect people by preventing or solving crimes, but it could easily be exploited to harm BIPOC and communities.

AI police bots are probably the wave of the future, but they need a lot of work before communities can trust them to protect everyone regardless of colour or creed.

Also, Read Future of Robotics in Domestic Field

The post Would AI Police Bots Be a Safer Alternative in the Future? appeared first on AiiotTalk - Artificial Intelligence | Robotics | Technology.

Exploring the Potential of AI-Assisted Nuclear Decommissioning

It’ll take a while before people have hard evidence about precisely how artificial intelligence could make nuclear commissioning better. But, individuals familiar with the matter have some expectations already. 

In the United Kingdom, officials have set up an AI hub to develop technology for decommissioning the Sellafield plant there. Officials believe AI will make the nuclear decommissioning process faster, safer and more economical. 

“Officials believe AI will make the nuclear decommissioning process faster, safer and more economical.” 

The AI hub will include several features mimicking the Sellafield plant’s characteristics, including water tanks. Testing AI in a highly controlled environment will make it easier to determine how the technology will perform in a real-life setting. 

Using AI Robots to Relieve Humans of Dangerous Tasks

One of the reasons why people are particularly interested in working with AI-powered robots is that they can keep individuals safer from possible dangers. The United Kingdom’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is holding a competition to find technologies that support the faster and safer handling of decommissioning waste. 

One competition entry uses AI and machine learning algorithms to guide a robotic arm and gripper. The system can detect, sort and categorize nuclear waste with minimal human input. 

The United Kingdom has a small amount of radioactive waste compared to other places. However, there and elsewhere, much of the waste handling still happens manually by people wearing personal protective equipment. Smart robots could do it faster and leave those individuals to perform tasks with less built-in risk. 

“AI-powered robots can keep individuals safer from possible dangers.” 

This is not the only case of robots helping people with high-risk work. In Australia, a four-legged robot dog is part of the police force’s tactical response group. Representatives say the machine will allow safer and faster responses to some of the riskiest and most intense situations. 

Increasing the Efficiency of Nuclear Decommissioning Projects With AI Robots

Nuclear decommissioning must follow strict protocols because of the plant-associated risks to life and the environment. Also, the complete process can take decades, and there are several decommissioning types for people to pursue. Utilizing AI during nuclear-decommissioning projects could speed up some timeframes, though. 

That’s the hope of people working on a multidisciplinary project involving AI robots specifically built for environments with active dangers. Those could include nuclear sites but may also extend to other places, such as outer space. 

Professor Barry Lennox of the University of Manchester is one of the team leaders of this project. He explained the particular interest in AI, saying, “The inclusion of AI is because the goal is to develop automated systems that can operate much more efficiently than if they were operated by people.”

“The goal is to develop automated systems that can operate much more efficiently than if they were operated by people.” – Barry Lennox” 

Some of the potential tasks for robots enable remote inspection and manipulation of sites. Suppose humans could do things from safer distances by controlling robots on their behalf. In such cases, they could substantially reduce the risks associated with nuclear decommissioning and other duties typically categorized as high-risk. 

Elsewhere, a European Union project has developed a robot that an operator controls by wearing a telepresence suit. The four-legged machine also has some autonomy. If a user tells it to grasp something, for example, the robot can plan how to execute that action. People working on the project said that some nuclear waste is so radioactive that only robots can handle it safely. 

Standardizing Decommissioning Procedures With AI

Researchers working on bringing AI into nuclear decommissioning have also brought up how one of the issues is the lack of standardization when decommissioning the sites. The procedures vary per location, which can result in wasted time and higher costs if things go wrong. However, a project called PLEIADES centres on using various advanced technologies, including AI, to start standardizing what happens. Authorized users will also use a single platform to access all resources needed for decommissioning and dismantling.

People working on the initiative believe it could shrink carbon footprints by giving people more opportunities to work together across distances rather than travelling to specific locations. Additionally, the individuals involved can share best practices after identifying the optimal steps and separating them from those that don’t work as well.  

Relying on AI for Nuclear Decommissioning Is Worth Consideration

The efforts mentioned here and elsewhere are still in the early stages. However, it’s easy to see how they have plenty of potentials to make them viable long-term.

Also, Read How Will Robots Rule the World in Upcoming Days

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