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.

Telework amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: effects on work style reform in Japan

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Hosoda
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Environmental Barriers ◽  
State Of Emergency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Style ◽  
The Government ◽  
Japanese Companies ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose This study aims to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected telework initiatives in Japanese companies and investigate the factors that affect telework based on the technology, organization and environment (TOE) model, through the analysis of published documents. Design/methodology/approach Document analysis was adopted. Documents were collected from English news articles in the Nikkei Asian Review and Nikkei Asia which cover Japan's economy, industries and markets. The results of surveys by the Persol Research Institute and Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry were also provided to discuss factors promoting and hindering telework. Content analysis was adopted to analyse the documents. Findings COVID-19 had an unavoidable impact on the implementation of telework that the government had previously failed to instigate. Japanese listed companies tend to implement telework, whereas small- and medium-sized companies are struggling. The ratio of telework has been low even after the declaration of the state of emergency because there exist organizational, technological and environmental barriers to telework in Japan. Originality/value This study contributes to discussions on work style reform by focusing on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on telework. This research also gives new insight into operationalization of telework in organizations not only in Japan but also in other countries known for low rates of telework and inflexible work styles such as Korea.

Miniature and microrobots: a review of recent developments

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bogue
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Swarm Robotics ◽  
Power Sources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Miniature Robots ◽  
Healthcare It ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
And Control ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an insight into recent miniaturised robot developments and applications. Design/methodology/approach – Following an introduction, this article discusses the technology and applications of miniature robots and considers swarm robotics, assembly robots, flying robots and their uses in healthcare. It concludes with a brief consideration of the emerging field of nanorobotics. Findings – This shows that all manners of miniaturised terrestrial, airborne and aquatic robots are being developed, but size and weight restraints pose considerable technological challenges, such as power sources, navigation, actuation and control. Prototypes have been developed for military, assembly, medical, environmental and other applications, as well as for furthering the understanding of swarm behaviour. In the longer term, microrobots and nanorobots offer prospects to revolutionise many aspects of healthcare, such as cancer treatment. Originality/value – This study provides details of a wide-ranging selection of miniaturised robot developments.

British Library document supply – a fork in the road

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Appleyard
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
British Library ◽  
Improvement Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Road ◽  
Current Thinking ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Future Plans

PurposeThis paper seeks to provide an overview of recent developments within the British Library's document supply service and offer an insight into future plans.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a general review.FindingsThe British Library Document Supply Centre (BLDSC) has made tremendous gains in optimising the service in its current guise. As with similar organisations, challenges are presenting themselves that require a completely new look at the way the business model is designed. Although the long‐term plan is not completely formed, this paper aims to give an insight into current thinking.Originality/valueThe paper spells out the improvement strategy that the BL has adopted for document supply in the light of the worldwide decline.

Energy harvesting: a review of recent developments

Sensor Review ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bogue
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
Advanced Technologies ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Technical Details ◽  
Self Powered ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose – This paper aims to provide details of recent energy harvesting developments. Design/methodology/approach – Following an introduction, this paper first considers mechanical and biomechanical energy harvesting developments. It then discusses hybrid harvesting technologies and self-powered sensors and concludes with a brief discussion. Findings – Energy harvesting is the topic of a major research effort and growing commercial activities. Several advanced technologies are being used to develop sophisticated devices to harvest individual or combined energy sources. These developments are expected to play a central role in many emerging sensor markets. Originality/value – This paper provides technical details of a selection of recently reported energy harvesting developments.

Brain‐computer interfaces: control by thought

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bogue
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Extensive Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Robotic Arms ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Human Thought ◽  
Computer Interfaces ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Invasive Techniques ◽  
Insight Into

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a technical insight into recent developments in brain‐computer interface (BCI) technology and its applications.Design/methodology/approachFollowing an introduction to BCI, this paper considers the different means of detecting brain waves and then discusses a number of BCI development programmes and applications.FindingsInvasive, partially invasive and non‐invasive BCI techniques are the topic of extensive study and aim to allow the control of external devices by human thought. Invasive BCIs are being applied to patients suffering paralysis and requiring cranial surgery and aim to restore movement or impart other functions such as the operation of robotic arms or communication. Wireless invasive microelectrode arrays are under development. Of the non‐invasive techniques, electroencephalography is attracting the greatest interest and is being applied to a range of military and healthcare uses.Originality/valueThis paper provides an introduction to BCI technology and a review of recent research and a number of key applications.

Recent regulatory developments provide some clarifications regarding the market access rule for broker-dealers

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 10-19
Author(s):  
Bruce H. Newman ◽  
Elizabeth Mitchell ◽  
Stephanie R. Nicolas ◽  
Andre Owens ◽  
Ashley E. Bashur
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Securities And Exchange Commission ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Practical Guidance ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – To provide an overview of recent developments relating to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s Market Access Rule, Rule 15c3-5 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Design/methodology/approach – Provides a brief overview of the Rule’s requirements; highlights key points of guidance from the Frequently Asked Questions released by the Staff of the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets in April 2014; and discusses the SEC’s first enforcement actions for alleged violations of the Rule, which include a settlement with Knight Capital Americas, LLC and administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings instituted against Wedbush Securities, Inc. Findings – The SEC has prioritized its focus on Rule 15c3-5, which has resulted in the issuance of FAQs and enforcement actions against broker-dealers for violations of the Rule. While the FAQs and the Knight Capital settlement provide some insight into the Enforcement Staff’s view of what the Rule requires, there are still areas where the substantive requirements are not entirely clear. Originality/value – Practical guidance from experienced securities lawyers that consolidates several recent developments in one piece.

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.

Robots in the offshore oil and gas industries: a review of recent developments

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bogue
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles ◽  
Operating Costs ◽  
Short Introduction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Inspection And Maintenance ◽  
Offshore Oil And Gas ◽  
Offshore Oil

Purpose This paper aims to provide details of recent developments in robots aimed at applications in the offshore oil and gas industries. Design/methodology/approach Following a short introduction, this first discusses developments to remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). It then describes the Total-sponsored Autonomous Robot for Gas and Oil Sites (ARGOS) robot challenge. This is followed by a discussion of the Offshore Robotics for Certification of Assets (ORCA) programme. Finally, brief concluding comments are drawn. Findings Subsea residency and other techniques are being developed that will enhance the availability and capabilities of AUVs and ROVs and reduce their operating costs. Mobile robots that can operate in harsh topside rig environments to monitor and detect hazards arose from ARGOS and are being developed further prior to commercialisation. Bringing together academics and users, the collaborative ORCA programme is making significant progress in the development of aerial, topside and underwater robotic and sensing technologies for rig asset inspection and maintenance. Originality/value This paper identifies and describes key development activities that will stimulate the use of robots by the offshore industries.

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