Improved process technology has resulted in the integration of computing elements into multiple application areas. General purpose micro-controllers are designed to assist in this integration through a flexible design. The application areas, however, are so diverse in nature that the general purpose micro-controllers may not provide a suitable abstraction for all classes of applications. There is a need for specially designed architectures in application areas where the general purpose micro-controllers suffer from inefficiencies. This thesis focuses in the design of a processor architecture that provides a suitable design abstraction for a class of periodic, event-driven embedded applications such as sensor-monitoring systems. The design principles of the processor architecture are focused on the target application requirements, which are identified as event-driven nature with concurrent task execution and deterministic timing behavior. Additionally, to reduce the design complexity of applications on this novel architecture, an automation framework has been implemented. This thesis presents the design of the processor architecture and the automation framework explaining the suitability of the designed architecture for the target applications. The energy use of the novel architecture is compared with that of PIC12F675 micro-controller to demonstrate the energy-efficiency of the designed architecture. / Master of Science

Data-Driven Control (DDC) is an active field of research in modern control theory, providing exciting new methods for both model identification and controller design that leverage data to avoid time-consuming manual methods for identification and controller tuning. This thesis presents a practical application of direct Data-Driven Control where the task was to balance an instrumented bicycle at a constant velocity by controlling the steering angle. Exploring the potential of direct DDC as a stabilisation method for bicycles could improve efficiency and effectiveness in controlling similar unstable and nonlinear systems. This approach could eliminate the need for complex modelling and parameter fine-tuning which are present in alternative methods. The approach involved modifying the hardware and software of an existing instrumented bicycle, collecting data, computing direct DDC feedback gains with different state and exploratory control signal combinations, and evaluating the performance of their associated controllers through practical experiments. The study found that 14 out of 48 controllers managed to balance the instrumented bicycle, with the careful selection of states, exploratory control signals, and sufficient size of the data collection set indicating to be the important factors for successful implementation of direct DDC. The thesis provides valuable insights into the practical implementation of direct DDC on unstable and nonlinear systems and highlights potential areas for future research

This study presents some analysis concepts and decision tools for the problems encountered in designing and implementing a flexible manufacturing system. SIM-Q, an input-generator for simulation modelling developed in this study provides a powerful and expedient tool for resolving the material handling system selection, work scheduling, input control, and real time operation problems. The problem of input control is examined using SIM-Q and the viability of operating a flexible manufacturing system as a programmable transfer line is explored. SIM-Q is also used in this study to test the robustness of CAN-Q in modelling an existing FMS. A linear zero-one linear programming model is formulated for the machine mapping and pooling problem. The system synthesis problem is solved by applying CAN-Q in an interactive computer program developed in this study. This model provides an integrated approach to the product selection and machine requirements planning problems. Finally, a dynamic decision approach to the justification of the FMS is developed and presented by imbedding queueing theory with simulation in a decision analysis framework. / Ph. D.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation become more intertwined, understanding their impact on user control is essential. This study investigates dynamic user control in AI-driven automated systems, particularly in work environments. While adaptive automation (AA) has been extensively studied, there's a gap in research on adaptable and hybrid automation, where users control the level of automation (LOA). We bridge this gap with a design-oriented case study structured into three phases, evaluating one adaptable and one hybrid prototype. By understanding real-world perspectives of users and providers of an AI-driven automation system, we address the question: "How can we support users with dynamic control when designing for human-centred automation?”. Our findings are synthesized into insights that suggest a preference for a hybrid approach; one that balances user and AI-system collaboration, providing adaptive and personalized support, without overwhelming adaptability. Overall, our results conclude the importance of human involvement in the automation process, underscoring the need for "human touch” in the design of humancentred automation (HCAI).

Yes / This article reviews studies conducted “in the wild” that explore the “ironies of automation” in Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS). Workload may be reduced for the surgeon, but increased for other team members, with postural stress relocated rather than reduced, and the introduction of a range of new challenges, for example, in the need to control multiple arms, with multiple instruments; and the increased demands of being physically separated from the team. Workflow disruptions were not compared with other surgeries; however, the prevalence of equipment and training disruptions differs from other types of surgeries. A consistent observation is that communication and coordination problems are relatively frequent, suggesting that the surgical team may need to be trained to use specific verbal and non-verbal cues during surgery. RAS also changes the necessary size of the operating room instrument cleaning processes. These studies demonstrate the value of clinically-based human factors engineers working alongside surgical teams to improve the delivery of RAS. / National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research (HS&DR) Programme (project number 12/5005/04). We acknowledge the support of the NIHR Clinical Research Network. The research by Hallbeck and colleagues made possible in part by the Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery. The research of Weigl and colleagues was supported by the Munich Centre for Health Sciences (MC-Health). The research by Bisantz and colleagues was supported by the University at Buffalo, the ATLAS lab, and the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation. The research by Anger and Catchpole was funded by National Institute of Biomedical Imaging & Biomedical Engineering Award R03EB017447 (Catchpole/Anger) and the UCLA Medical Student Training in Aging Research Program-the National Institute on Aging (T35AG026736), the John A. Hartford Foundation, and the Lillian R. Gleitsman Foundation.

Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The conceptual design of a fixtureless reconfigurable automated spot welding system for manufacturing subassemblies for residential circuit breakers was investigated. This research was aimed at developing a possible low cost automation alternative to a South African industrial manufacturer, which is presently heavily dependent on personnel for manual assembly of their core products. System reconfiguration allows for the assembly of a range of subassemblies with geometric component variation on a given system configuration, as well as the potential for the system to be reconfigured to assemble other ranges of circuit breaker subassemblies. The subassembly selected as focus consists of six different components, which vary geometrically from one product variant to another. A fixtureless approach was selected, to minimise reconfiguration down time and the need for reconfigurable fixtures since reconfigurable fixtures have not found significant acceptance in industry. This varies from a fixture-based approach, which was considered in related research. The conceptual assembly system presented here consists of the following modules: a flexible vision based part feeder, twin 6 DOF robotic manipulators each with a multipurpose gripper, and a stationary spot welding station. Critical conceptual design elements were further investigated to refine their selection and confirm feasibility with respect to the target industry application. This process ended with a preliminary cost estimate which served as a basis for comparison between the fixtureless, fixture-based and present manual assembly process. The fixtureless concept was overall more expensive than the fixture-based concept, primarily because of the limits to production throughput. The fixtureless concept was however cheaper than the present manual assembly approach but had a far longer payback period than desired by the industry. The complexity and possible uncertainties of the concept combined with the long payback period indicated that the fixtureless concept is not suitable for the target application. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die konsepsionele ontwerp van 'n setmaatlose herkonfigureerbare outomatiese puntsweisstelsel vir die vervaardiging van subsamestellings van huishoudelike stroombrekers is ondersoek. Hierdie navorsing is gemik op die ontwikkeling van 'n moontlike lae koste outomatiese alternatief vir 'n Suid Afrikaanse industriële vervaardiger, wat tans sterk afhanklik is van werkers wat die montering van hul kern produkte met die handsamestelling doen. Stelsel herkonfigurasie laat die samestelling van 'n reeks subsamestellings, met geometriese komponentvariasies, op 'n gegewe stelsel toe, asook die potensiaal om die stelsel te herkonfigureer om ander reekse van stroombreker-subsamestellings te monteer. Die subsamestelling wat as fokus gekies is, bestaan uit ses verskillende komponente met geometriese verskille van tussen produkvariante. 'n Setmaatlose benadering is gekies ten einde aftyd vir herkonfigurasie en die noodsaaklikheid van herkonfigureerbare setmate te minimeer, omdat laasgenoemde nie noemenswaardig deur die industrie aanvaar word nie. Hierdie benadering verskil van 'n setmaat-gebaseerde benadering wat in verwante navorsing ondersoek is. Die konsepsionele monteringstelsel wat hier aangebied word, bestaan uit die volgende modules: 'n plooibare, visiegebaseerde voerapparaat; dubbele sesvryheidsgraad robotiese manipuleerders, elk met 'n veeldoelige gryper; en 'n statiese puntsweisstasie. Kritiese elemente van die konseptuele ontwerp is verder ondersoek om hul keuses te verfyn en uitvoerbaarheid in die teiken industriële toepassing te bevestig. Hierdie proses is afgesluit deur 'n voorlopige kosteraming wat gedien het as 'n basis vir die vergelyking van setmaatlose, setmaat-gebaseerde en die huidige handsamestellingstelsels. Die setmaatlose konsep was oorhoofs duurder as die setmaat-gebaseerde konsep, hoofsaaklik as gevolg van beperkings op die produksie-deurset. Die setmaatlose konsep was egter goedkoper as die huidige handmonteringsproses, maar het 'n veel langer terugbetalingstydperk as wat deur die industrie verlang word. Die kompleksiteit en moontlike onsekerhede van die konsep, gepaard met die lang terugbetalingstydperk, dui daarop dat die setmaatlose konsep nie vir die teiken toepassing geskik is nie.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Flotation was introduced early in the zo" century as a separation process for extracting valuable minerals from grinded ore. Today flotation is a dominant mineral concentration method and is used for almost all sulphide minerals and also for nonsulphide metallic minerals, industrial minerals, and coal. Automation and control has become a basic requirement in flotation plants. Effective control of pulp levels plays a very important role in stabilising the flotation process and therefore requires careful attention. This thesis presents a de-coupled level controller that has been developed for the control of levels in cascaded flow processes, including multi-tank cascaded flotation processes. The controller was developed on a two tank cascaded pilot plant using water as a flow medium. A simulation model was constructed for the cascaded flow process. The simulation model made it possible to develop and evaluate a decoupled level controller in a simulation environment. Finally independent loop PIO control and integrated PIO control loops with feed-forward de-coupling were compared through simulation, as control strategies for the pilot plant. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Flotasie is vroeg in die 20ste eeu bekend gestel as 'n skeidingsproses om waardevolle minerale te onttrek uit fyngemaalde erts. Vandag is flotasie die dominante proses om minerale te konsentrasie en word gebruik vir byna aile sulfied minerale sowel as nie-sulfied metaal minerale, industriele minerale and steenkool. Outomatisasie en beheer het 'n basiese vereiste geword in flotasie aanlegte. Die effektiewe beheer van pulpvlakke speel 'n baie belangrike rol in die stabilisering van die flotasie proses en verdien om hierdie rede deeglike aandag. Hierdie tesis stel 'n ontkoppelde vlakbeheerstelsel voor wat ontwikkel is vir die beheer van vlakke in kaskade vloei prosesse byvoorbeeld multi-tenk flotasie prosesse. Die beheerstelsel is ontwikkel op 'n twee-tenk kaskade toetsaanleg met water as vloeimedium. 'n Volledige simulasiemodel is ontwikkel wat dit moontlik gemaak het om die vlakbeheerstelsel te ontwerp, toets en verfyn in 'n simulasie omgewing. Verder is die verskil tussen onafhanklike enkellus PID beheerders en ontkoppelde PID beheerlusse ondersoek en word in die tesis geillustreer.

Forward operators are subjected to both physical and mental workload in their work and a way to reduce mental workload and increase productivity is to automating the crane movement. To enable study the impact of automation you need methods to estimate the forwarder operators mental workload in conventional crane work and with semi automation. This study evaluated the psychophysiological parameters; trapezius muscle activity, heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin conductance and finger temperature. To ensure the validity and methodology reliability one need to perform more extensive studies. As for future studies this work propose additional studies of forward operator mental workload in the simulator environment regarding heart rate, heart rate variability and respiration. / Skogsmaskinförarens arbete innebär en hög belastning såväl fysiskt som mentalt. Dels för att det innefattar moment av statiskt och repetitvt arbete och dels för att en stor mängd information bearbetas och många beslut fattas på kort tid. Mental belastning är ett begrepp för olika former av belastning som påverkar människans förmåga att bearbeta information. Det finns ingen enskild faktor som kan utgöra ett mått på mental belastning. Såväl prestation som subjektiva bedömningar och psykofysiologiska mätmetoder används för att mäta mental belastning. Exempel på psykofysiologiska mätmetoder är muskelaktivitet, hjärtfrekvens, hjärtfrekvensvariabilitet, andningsfrekvens, hudkonduktans och fingertemperatur. Ett sätt att försöka minska belastningen för skotarföraren är att automatisera vissa moment i kranens arbete. Syftet med examensarbetet var att utvärdera psykofysiologiska mätmetoder lämpliga för att beöma skillnaden i mental belastning hos skotarförare vid arbete med konventionellt- och delautomatiserat kranarbete i simulatormiljö. Resultatet visar på en potential hos analyserna hjärtfrekvens, hjärtfrekvensvariabilitet och andning för fortsatta studier. Muskelaktiviteten i form av trapezius-EMG och hudkonduktans var analyser behäftade med höga brusnivåer och artefakter i studien. Arbetet ger även en bild av komplexiteten i studier där teknik och människa interagerar. Den tekniska kapaciteten på skogsmaskiner är idag så avancerad att maskinföraren bedöms vara den begränsande faktorn för prestationen. För att öka produktiviteten i skogsbruket är det av stor vikt att den tekniska utvecklingen samspelar med interaktionen mellan människa och maskin för att främja ett hållbart skogsbruk för såväl maskinförare som för skog och miljö.

M.A. (Information Science) / This research investigated the problem of multiple bibliographic interfaces that end-users face when conducting searches. A situation analysis was conducted which provided a profile of the situation under investigation. Based on the results of the analysis an end-user training programme for adoption by subject reference librarians at the University of the North Library with regard to bibliographic CD-ROM databases is formulated. This programme is proposed to address problems that end-users experience with these databases and in the process to improve their search abilities. Finally, areas for further investigation with regard to the situation, learner and learning situation are also suggested.

Detta examensarbete genomfördes för att undersöka hur   materialhanteringen runt avgradningssystemet Fladder kan utvecklas och   automatiseras. Behovet uppkom av dagens manuella hantering som är ineffektiv   och tidskrävande och behöver därmed optimeras. Arbetet genomfördes med metodik från   produktutvecklingsprocessen för att erbjuda layout-förslag på hur   materialhantering kan förbättras. Först gjordes en förstudie där en   datainsamling, litteraturstudie och nulägesanalys att identifiera behovet.   Koncept genererades baserat på kraven på systemet och genom olika   beslutsmatriser valdes två lösningar för vidareutveckling. Lösningarna   granskades och analyserades mer i detalj och beräkningar på deras   effektivitet och lönsamhet genomfördes. Lösningarna förfinades och mynnade ut i två layouter på   hur materialhanteringen kan förbättras. Där slutkoncept 1 är ett enkelt   system för situationen idag och slutkoncept 2 är en mer avancerad lösning för   framtida investeringar. / The bachelor   thesis was performed to investigate how material handling around the   deburring system Fladder can be developed and automated. The reason is due to   today's manual handling which is inefficient and time consuming and therefore   needs to be optimized. The work was   carried out with methodology from the product development process to offer   layout suggestions on how material handling can be improved. First, a   feasibility study was conducted in which a data collection, literature study   and current situation analysis were done to identify the needs. Concepts were   generated based on the requirements of the system and through various   decision matrices, two solutions were chosen for further development. The   solutions were reviewed and analyzed in more detail and calculations of their   efficiency and profitability were made. The solutions   were refined and resulted in two layouts on how the material handling can be   improved. The first concept is a simple system for the situation today and   the second concept is a more advanced solution for future investments. / <p>Betyg 2019-07-24</p>