published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

This thesis and appended papers present the process of tacking the problem of environment modeling for autonomous agent. More specifically, the focus of the work has been semantic mapping of warehouses. A semantic map for such purpose is expected to be layout-like and support semantics of both open spaces and infrastructure of the environment. The representation of the semantic map is required to be understandable by all involved agents (humans, AGVs and WMS.) And the process of semantic mapping is desired to lean toward full-autonomy, with minimum input requirement from human user. To that end, we studied the problem of semantic annotation over two kinds of spatial map from different modalities. We identified properties, structure, and challenges of the problem. And we have developed representations and accompanied methods, while meeting the set criteria. The overall objective of the work is “to develop and construct a layer of abstraction (models and/or decomposition) for structuring and facilitate access to salient information in the sensory data. This layer of abstraction connects high level concepts to low-level sensory pattern.” Relying on modeling and decomposition of sensory data, we present our work on abstract representation for two modalities (laser scanner and camera) in three appended papers. Feasibility and the performance of the proposed methods are evaluated over data from real warehouse. The thesis conclude with summarizing the presented technical details, and drawing the outline for future work. / Automatic Inventory and Mapping of Stock (AIMS)

Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica sobre a teoria e a prática da Automação Residencial (AR) e também apresenta uma proposta de uma metodologia para auxílio da engenharia em AR intitulada MAEAR - Metodologia para Auxílio da Engenharia em Automação Residencial. Este trabalho apresenta também uma análise entre as principais teorias de controle desenvolvidas para a automação industrial, e a correlação das mesmas sobre sistemas de automação predial e residencial, assim como uma comparação dos níveis de automação industrial e residencial existentes. Os testes de validação da metodologia MAEAR proposta também são apresentadas neste trabalho. / This work presents a bibliographical revision about the theory and the practice of Home Automation (HA) and also presents a proposal of a methodology for aid of engineering in HA entitled MAEAR - Methodology for Aid of Engineering in Home Automation. This work also presents an analysis between the main theories of controls developed to industrial automation, and the correlation it with systems of building automation and home automation, as well as a comparative of levels of industrial automation and home automation. The tests of validation of methodology MAEAR proposal also are presented in this work.

Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica sobre a teoria e a prática da Automação Residencial (AR) e também apresenta uma proposta de uma metodologia para auxílio da engenharia em AR intitulada MAEAR - Metodologia para Auxílio da Engenharia em Automação Residencial. Este trabalho apresenta também uma análise entre as principais teorias de controle desenvolvidas para a automação industrial, e a correlação das mesmas sobre sistemas de automação predial e residencial, assim como uma comparação dos níveis de automação industrial e residencial existentes. Os testes de validação da metodologia MAEAR proposta também são apresentadas neste trabalho. / This work presents a bibliographical revision about the theory and the practice of Home Automation (HA) and also presents a proposal of a methodology for aid of engineering in HA entitled MAEAR - Methodology for Aid of Engineering in Home Automation. This work also presents an analysis between the main theories of controls developed to industrial automation, and the correlation it with systems of building automation and home automation, as well as a comparative of levels of industrial automation and home automation. The tests of validation of methodology MAEAR proposal also are presented in this work.

Automatisering av arbetsprocesser har varit ett aktuellt tema för många verksamheter i många år. Ofta är dessa automatiseringar relaterade till fysisk automation som exempelvis robotar vid produktionslinjer. Men med dagens teknik finns det potential för att automatisera arbetsprocesser i verksamheters back-office processer. Robotic process automation, eller förkortat som RPA, är en teknik som har förmågan att imitera användarens steg i en arbetsprocess och återskapa arbetsprocessen utan den mänskliga resursen. Denna studie har som syfte att fastställa utmaningar och möjligheter som är relaterade vid införande av RPA i verksamheter. Genom intervjuer och tidigare publicerat material om RPA, skall denna studie erbjuda en djupare förståelse kring utmaningar och möjligheter för den stigande trenden robotic process automation. / Automation has been a hot topic for many businesses for a number of years now. The term is usually related to automation of physical machinery like robots to speed up production and assembling of cars. But with currently technology, the automation has taken a step further. Automation is now capable of automating back-office processes. Robotic Process Automation, also known as RPA, is a technology that is capable of imitating the users step in a business process and replicate it automatically, without human intervention. The purpose of this study is to determine the challenges and opportunities related to the implementation of RPA in businesses. By performing interviews and examining existing material about RPA, this study aims to deliver a deeper and wider understanding of the rising technology that is Robotic Process Automation.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MSc (Chemistry))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Chemistry / unrestricted

Automatisering som fenomen är inte någonting nytt utan har under längre tid kunnat associeras med högutvecklade industrier där robotar i stor grad utför arbetet (Uzialko, 2019). I dagsläget kan detta fenomen i större grad kunna börja ses överallt omkring oss där ett exempel som vuxit kan hämtas från internetförsäljningens chatbots, där en dator automatiskt letar upp rätt svar på en från kunden ställd fråga (Uzialko, 2019).  Automatisering har även fångats upp av vissa aktörer i byggbranschen där man nyttjar automatiserad teknologi vid valet av konceptuella lösningar, där förprogrammerad mjukvara hjälper att automatiskt iterera fram olika lösningar från de indatavärden som nyttjas (Leonard, 2019). Tack vare detta kan man framställa fler konceptlösningar innan valet av den slutgiltiga lösningen görs (Leonard, 2019). I dagsläget strävar många företag efter att uppnå helt automatiserade processer där man upplevt att det kan vara problem att uppnå de ekonomiska incitamenten till att utföra automatiseringen (Frohm, Lindström, Winroth, & Stahre, 2008). Att gå från manuellt arbete direkt till automatiserade processer kan även anses vara ett stort steg vilket fått upp intresset för att upprätta metoder där användare och det automatiserade momentet kan samarbeta (Ahn, Kim, Park, Kim, & Lee, 2014).  I denna studie har två olika sätt att automatisera en beräkningsgång samt modellering av ett cisternfundament utförts i syfte att undersöka hur olika typer av automationsnivå kan komma att påverka byggprojekteringen. Med hänsyn till detta upprättas i studien en helt automatisk konfigurator samt en semi-automatisk konfigurator, som sedan utvärderas av branschrelaterad publik med efterföljande intervjuer. Den helt automatiska konfiguratorn upprättas på ett sådant sätt att manuell input inte är nödvändig medan den semi-automatiska konfiguratorn kräver viss manuell input. Denna studie har visat en antydan om att den semi-automatiska konfiguratoruppsättningen kan vara mer attraktiv att utveckla i dagsläget där den manuella kontrollen är en bidragande orsak till detta. Denna studie tyder även på att ett utav hindren till att automatiska processer inte utvecklats i större grad kan kopplas till bristande kunskap hos medarbetare och att en lösning till detta problem kan vara semi-automatiska processer där man stegvis implementerar automatisering av utvalda moment. Denna studie tyder även på att en semi-automatisk process skulle kunna ge en lägre tröskel för medarbetarna att komma in i processen och tankesättet. Studien framhäver även att framtiden är oviss och att om marknaden skulle skifta mot mer produktifierade lösningar än vad som i dagsläget nyttjas skulle en helt automatisk process kunna vara att föredra. Studien belyser även möjligheten att nyttja helt automatiska konfiguratorer där osäkerheterna i projekten anses få samt där lösningarna till en hög grad är repeterbara. Även om problemet med kunskapsåterföring belyses under studien hade detta behövt undersökas vidare innan säkrare slutsatser kan dras. Det hade även varit fördelaktigt att framöver undersöka hur valet av beräkningsgång och projekteringsmetod kan komma att påverka utformningen av de automatiska processerna samt vilket utslag detta kan tänkas ge på slutresultatet.

There are many challenges when automating industrial processes. Successful automation projects can lead to several benefits such as lower manufacturing costs, improved quality and reduced lead times. The purpose of this study is to identify the biggest challenges when automating processes within heavy industry and then, find ways to solve these. The study has an abductive approach, where focus has shifted between literature and empirical data. Empirical data has been gathered through a case study. The case study is carried out at a company that operates within heavy industry. It’s a pre-study before an automation project. The case study has followed methods presented in literature. Challenges that proved most difficult during automation within heavy industry were: Adapting a product for automatic manufacturing and product variations. The conclusion drawn from the results and experiences during the case study, is that the most comprehensive solution to these challenges is continuous improvements of products and processes.

The validation approach for assuring quality of software does often include the conduction of tests. Software testing includes a wide range of methodology depending on the system level and the component under test. Graphical user interface (GUI) testing consists of high level tests that assert that functions and design element in user interfaces work as expected. The research conducted in this paper focused on GUI testing of web based applications and the movement towards automated testing within the software industry. The question which formed the basis for the study was the following: How should a generic test automation framework be designed in order to allow maintenance between developers and non-developers? The study was conducted on a Swedish consultant company that provides e-commerce web solutions. A work strategy approach for automated testing was identified and an automation framework prototype was produced. The framework was evaluated through a pilot study where testers participated through the creation of a test suite for a specific GUI testing area. Time estimations were collected as well as qualitative measurements through a follow up survey. This paper presents a work strategy proposal for automated tests together with description of the framework system design. The results are presented with a subsequent discussion about the benefits and complexity of creating and introducing automated tests within large scale systems. Future work suggestions are also addressed together with accountancy of the frameworks usefulness for other testing areas besides GUI testing.

Process Automation has the potential to yield great benefits for companies and organizations, especially in the financial services industry where companies are information-intensive and experience rich data flows. This has mostly been done through Robotic Process Automation (RPA), but the increased maturity of Machine Learning algorithms has increased the viability of combining classic RPA with Artificial Intelligence, leading to Intelligent Process Automation (IPA). However, there is a set of challenges embedded in the transition from RPA to IPA. These challenges need to be dealt with in order to ensure that the benefits of the new technology can be harvested. The aim of this research was to identify this set of challenges that the companies will face, as well as provide guidance to what preparations that need to be made before IPA can be implemented in full scale. The research was conducted as a theory building case study at a large Swedish bank. An empirical study was conducted, consisting of interviews with researchers, as well as automation professionals and R&D at the case company. The findings of the empirical study and previous research on the area were combined and condensed into a guiding framework for organizations wanting to adopt IPA. / Processautomation har potentialen att ge stora fördelar för företag och organisationer, speciellt i finansbranschen där företag är informationsintensiva och har stora dataflöden. Detta har huvudsakligen gjorts med Robotic Process Automation (RPA) men den ökade mognadsgraden av maskininlärning har snabbt förbättrat möjligheten att kombinera RPA med Artificiell Intelligens (AI) för att därmed möjliggöra Intelligent Process Automation (IPA). I övergången från RPA till IPA uppkommer däremot en del utmaningar och problem som företag måste hanteras innan potentialen med dessa nya tekniker kan förverkligas. Den här forskningen ämnar att identifiera de utmaningar som företagen kommer ställas inför samt ge vägledning för vilka förberedelser som företagen måste genomföra innan IPA kan implementeras fullskaligt i organisationen. Forskningen genomfördes som en teoribyggande fallstudie på en stor svensk bank. Den teoretiska grunden samlades in genom en omfattande litteraturstudie och en empirisk studie bestående av intervjuer med forskare samt automationsutvecklare och FoU på banken. Resultaten från litteraturstudien och empirin kombinerades och kondenserades till ett vägvisande ramverk för organisationer som vill implementera IPA.