Strong prospects for robots in retail

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bogue
Keyword(s):  
Inventory Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Short Introduction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hazard Detection ◽  
Business Opportunities ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Product Delivery ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose This paper aims to illustrate the rapidly growing use of robots in the retail sector by considering a range of products and applications. Design/methodology/approach Following a short introduction, this paper discusses robotic products and deployments in the following applications: inventory management, the provision of customer assistance, cleaning and hazard detection and product delivery. It concludes with a brief discussion. Findings Robots are rapidly making inroads in the retail sector. They have been shown to reduce manpower requirements, improve efficiency, reduce costs and speed-up deliveries. As applications grow and the technologies mature, retail is expected to become a major robot user and will offer significant business opportunities. Originality/value This study provides a detailed insight into the emerging and rapidly developing retail robotics business.

The Chinese robot industry

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bogue
Keyword(s):  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Short Introduction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Foreign Companies ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
The Government ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose This paper aims to provide an insight into China’s rapidly developing robot industry. Design/methodology/approach Following a short introduction, this paper first provides a market perspective and then identifies the key user industries and gives examples of applications. The robot supply companies are considered and details are provided for some of the more important. The research effort is then discussed, together with some examples of recent developments. Finally, conclusions are drawn. Findings The Chinese robot market is the largest in the world although the robot density remains far lower than that of many other industrialised nations. Major users include the electrical and electronics sector and the automotive industry, together with growing applications in the burgeoning hospitality and logistics sectors. Markets are presently dominated by foreign companies, but the government has ambitious plans to boost domestic production, and with the aid of financial incentives, the number of Chinese robot manufactures has recently increased dramatically. The country’s robot research effort is diverse and wide ranging and benefits from significant levels of government funding. China is ultimately expected to become a major force within the global robot business. Originality/value This illustrates the growing importance of robots in China, both in its industries and as a robot manufacturer.

New technologies for robotic tactile sensing and navigation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob Bogue
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Tactile Sensing ◽  
Short Introduction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose This aims to provide details of new sensor technologies and developments with potential applications in robotic tactile sensing and navigation. Design/methodology/approach Following a short introduction, this provides examples of tactile sensing research. This is followed by details of research into inertial sensors and other navigation techniques. Finally, brief conclusions are drawn. Findings This shows that tactile sensing and navigation techniques are the topic of a technologically diverse research effort which has prospects to impart various classes of robots with significantly enhanced capabilities. Originality/value This provides a technically detailed insight into recent sensor research with applications in robotic tactile sensing and navigation.

Recent developments in robotic tactile perception

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 565-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bogue
Keyword(s):  
Object Recognition ◽  
Collision Detection ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Tactile Sensing ◽  
Robotic Hands ◽  
Short Introduction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose This paper aims to provide details of recent developments in robotic tactile sensing. Design/methodology/approach Following a short introduction, this paper first provides an overview of tactile sensing effects and technologies. It then discusses recent developments in tactile sensing skins. Tactile sensing for robotic prosthetics and hands is then considered and is followed by a discussion of “tactile intelligence”. Various experimental results are included. Finally, brief concluding comments are drawn. Findings This shows that many advanced, sensitive and technologically varied tactile sensing devices are being developed. These devices are expected to impart robots with a range of enhanced capabilities such as improved gripping and manipulation, object recognition, the control and robotic hands and prosthetics and collision detection. Originality/value Tactile sensing has an increasingly important role to play in robotics, and this paper provides a technical insight into a number of recent developments and their applications.

Bioinspired designs impart robots with unique capabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 561-567
Author(s):  
Robert Bogue
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Robot Navigation ◽  
Short Introduction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Inertial Measurement ◽  
Design Concepts ◽  
Bioinspired Design ◽  
Measurement Units ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose This paper aims to provide an insight into robot developments that use bioinspired design concepts. Design/methodology/approach Following a short introduction to biomimetics, this paper first provides examples of bioinspired terrestrial, aerial and underwater robot navigation techniques. It then discusses bioinspired locomotion and considers a selection of robotic products and developments inspired by snakes, bats, diving birds, fish and dragonflies. Finally, brief concluding comments are drawn. Findings The application of design concepts that mimic the capabilities and processes found in living creatures can impart robots with unique abilities. Bioinspired techniques used by insects and other organisms, notably optic flow and sunlight polarisation sensing, allow robots to navigate without the need for methods such as simultaneous localisation and mapping, GPS or inertial measurement units. Bioinspired locomotion techniques have yielded robots capable of operating in water, air and on land and in some cases, making the transition between different media. Originality/value This shows how bioinspired design concepts can impart robots with innovative and enhanced navigation and locomotion capabilities.

The rise of surgical robots

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bogue
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Robotic Technology ◽  
Surgical Robots ◽  
Short Introduction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Launches ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose This paper aims to illustrate the growing importance of surgical robots by providing a short historical background and details of a selection of today’s products and their applications. Design/methodology/approach Following a short introduction, this first provides an historical perspective. It then discusses systems used in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). This is followed by examples of products aimed at other surgical applications and, finally, brief concluding comments are drawn. Findings The concept of robotic surgery arose in the 1960s and trials commenced in the 1980s. The business is now in a highly dynamic phase with numerous recent product launches and a growing number late-stage developments. MIS systems are attracting much interest but robotic technology is also being applied to many additional surgical procedures. Originality/value This provides an insight into the emergence and commercialisation of robotic surgical systems.

Vision-assisted robotic welding

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bogue
Keyword(s):  
Machine Vision ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Main Section ◽  
Robotic Welding ◽  
Short Introduction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Robotic Automation ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Modern Machine

Purpose This paper aims to provide details of vision-assisted robotic welding technologies and their applications. Design/methodology/approach Following a short introduction, this paper first considers the background of vision-assisted robotic welding, the functions of the vision systems and the scenarios where the technology is of benefit. The main section provides examples of vision-assisted welding applications, together with details of the systems and products employed. Finally, brief concluding comments are drawn. Findings This shows that modern machine vision technologies, often based on lasers, can allow robotic welding systems to compensate for dimensional variations and errors, eliminate the need for complex and costly welding fixtures and act as an alternative to skilled human welders. This technology allows robotic automation to be deployed in welding applications where it was hitherto impossible, technically difficult or not cost-effective. Originality/value By considering a section of applications, this paper provides an insight into how machine vision technologies can enhance the capabilities of robotic welding systems.

Rethinking bibliographic utilities for library consortia

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 7-9
Author(s):  
Israel Odede
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Distributed Network ◽  
Network Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Consortia ◽  
Individual Ownership ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The paper aims to critically examine the bibliographic utility as a roadmap to increase library consortia and provide an insight into a new library consortia strategy that integrates librarians into a system of sharing both resources and knowledge. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a literature review approach with a focus on bibliographic utility as a necessary prerequisite for effective library consortia, which is a paradigm shift from the concept of individual ownership to a collective access of distributed network resources and knowledge. Findings The reviewed literature indicated that significant bibliographic utilities and integrated library systems are factors that shaped and developed consortia activities in libraries. Originality/value The bibliographic utility has limited literature, and a few published scholarly studies have combined bibliographic utility and library consortia as strategies to share resources and knowledge

Formation of contracts for the international sale of goods under Korean law and the CISG

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-223
Author(s):  
Byung Mun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Case Law ◽  
The Other ◽  
Basic Question ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Sale Of Goods ◽  
The Comparative Study ◽  
International Sales ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the rules on the formation of contracts under Korean law and the Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) in a comparative way and introduce the relevant proposed rules under the Amendment Draft of the Korean Civil Code (KCC). In addition, it attempts to compare and evaluate them in light of the discipline of comparative law. Design/methodology/approach In order to achieve the purposes of the study, it executes a comparative study of the rules as to the formation of contracts of the CISG, Korean law and the Amendment Draft of the KCC. The basic question for this comparative study is placed on whether a solution from one jurisdiction is more logical than the others and to what extent each jurisdiction has responded to protect the reasonable expectations of the parties in the rules as to the formation of contracts. Findings The comparative study finds that most of the rules under the CISG are quite plausible and logical and they are more or less well reflected in the proposals advanced by the KCC amendment committee. On the other hand, the other rules under the CISG which have brought criticisms in terms of their complexity and inconsistent case law invite us their revision or consistent interpretation. The drawbacks of the CISG have also been well responded in the Amendment Draft of the KCC. Nevertheless, it is quite unfortunate that the Amendment Draft of the KCC still has a rule that regards any purported performance with non-material alteration of the terms of an offer as an acceptance. Originality/value This study may provide legal and practical advice to both the seller and the buyer when they enter into a contract for international sales of goods. In addition, it may render us an insight into newly developed or developing rules in this area and show us how they interact with each other. Furthermore, it may be particularly useful in Korea where there is an ongoing discussion for revision of the KCC.

Professionals freaking out: the case of accreditation in Dutch higher education

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 473-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Everard van Kemenade ◽  
Teun W. Hardjono
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Iso 9000 ◽  
Preliminary Survey ◽  
External Evaluation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Evaluation Systems ◽  
System A ◽  
Engineering And Technology ◽  
Insight Into

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to define what factors cause willingness and/or resistance among lecturers in universities towards external evaluation systems, especially accreditation.Design/methodology/approachA model has been designed to describe possible factors of willingness and/or resistance towards accreditation based on Ajzen and Metselaar. A literature review has been undertaken on the effects of external evaluation like ISO 9000 as well as accreditation systems such as Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and European Quality Improvement System. A questionnaire has been administered to a group of 63 lecturers from three departments at Fontys University in The Netherlands. The results of this preliminary survey have been presented to 1,500 academics in The Netherlands and Flanders to collect empirical data.FindingsResistance to accreditation can be found in the consequences of accreditation for the work of the lecturer (workload), negative emotions (stress and insecurity); the lack of knowledge and experience (help from specialists is needed); and lack of acceptance (other paradigm).Originality/valueThe paper provides more insight into the difficulties that organizations, especially universities, have to commit their employees to external evaluation. It might be possible to generalize the findings to other professionals in other organizations. Little research in this field has been undertaken so far.

scholarly journals The future of financial markets and regulation: what strategy for Europe?

foresight ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Baptiste Gossé ◽  
Dominique Plihon
Keyword(s):  
Financial Markets ◽  
Capital Market ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Financial Integration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Realistic Option ◽  
The Future ◽  
Unstable Environment ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – This article aims to provide insight into the future of financial markets and regulation in order to define what would be the best strategy for Europe. Design/methodology/approach – First the authors define the potential changes in financial markets and then the tools available for the regulator to tame them. Finally, they build five scenarios according to the main evolutions observed on the financial markets and on the tools used by the regulator to modify these trends. Findings – Among the five scenarios defined, two present highly unstable features since the regulator refuses to choose between financial opening and independently determining how to regulate finance in order to preserve financial stability. Three of them achieve financial stability. However, they are more or less efficient or feasible. In terms of market efficiency, the multi-polar scenario is the best and the fragmentation scenario is the worst, since gains of integration depend on the size of the new capital market. Regarding sovereignty of regulation, fragmentation is the best scenario and the multi-polar scenario is the worst, because it necessitates coordination at the global level which implies moving further away from respective national preferences. However, the more realistic option seems to be the regionalisation scenario: this level of coordination seems much more realistic than the global one; the market should be of sufficient size to enjoy substantial benefits of integration. Nevertheless, the “European government” might gradually increase the degree of financial integration outside Europe in line with the degree of cooperation with the rest of the world. Originality/value – Foresight studies on financial markets and regulation are quite rare. This may be explained by the difficulty to forecast what will be their evolution in the coming decades, not least because finance is fundamentally unstable. This paper provides a framework to consider what could be the best strategy of regulators in such an unstable environment.

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