Dutch industrial manufacturers are confronted a new and promising industrial robot: the collaborative robot (cobot). These small robotic arms are revolutionary as they allow direct and safe interaction with production workers for the very first time. The direct interaction between production worker and cobot has the potential to not only increase efficiency, but also enhance flexibility as it can align the strengths of (wo)man and machine more thoroughly. Currently, Dutch manufacturers are experimenting with cobots. To obtain a first understanding about the use of cobots in Dutch industrial practice and what the consequences are for operators and production work, we conducted an exploratory interview study (N=61). We learnt that most cobots under study are used for the production of one or a few large product batches (mass production) and work highly autonomous. The interaction between cobot and production worker is limited and reduced to operators preventing the cobot from falling into a standstill. The results tend to be in line with traditional industrial automation practices: an overemphasis on leveraging the technology’s potential and limited attention for the production workers’ work design and decision latitude. HR professionals were not involved and, therefore, miss out on a crucial opportunity to be of an added value.
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This study investigates what pupils aged 10-12 can learn from working with robots, assuming that understanding robotics is a sign of technological literacy. We conducted cognitive and conceptual analysis to develop a frame of reference for determining pupils' understanding of robotics. Four perspectives were distinguished with increasing sophistication; psychological, technological, function, and controlled system. Using Lego Mindstorms NXT robots, as an example of a Direct Manipulation Environment, we developed and conducted a lesson plan to investigate pupils' reasoning patterns. There is ample evidence that pupils have little difficulty in understanding that robots are man-made technological and functional artifacts. Pupils' understanding of the controlled system concept, more specifically the complex sense-reason-act loop that is characteristic of robotics, can be fostered by means of problem solving tasks. The results are discussed with respect to pupils' developing technological literacy and the possibilities for teaching and learning in primary education.
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This is the first draft of the large scale 3d printing protocol for granulated thermoplastics. The main purpose of this document is to share the key steps of operating, preparation, data entry, and optimization procedures while handling the robotic 3d printing equipment. One main aspect of this protocol is that it is independent of specific 3d printing hardware or software setups. The aim is to have the users from robotic 3d printing from various technologies follow these steps and be able to set the basics up when it comes to handling such 3d printers.
Flying insects like dragonflies, flies, bumblebees are able to couple hovering ability with the ability for a quick transition to forward flight. Therefore, they inspire us to investigate the application of swarms of flapping-wing mini-drones in horticulture. The production and trading of agricultural/horticultural goods account for the 9% of the Dutch gross domestic product. A significant part of the horticultural products are grown in greenhouses whose extension is becoming larger year by year. Swarms of bio-inspired mini-drones can be used in applications such as monitoring and control: the analysis of the data collected enables the greenhouse growers to achieve the optimal conditions for the plants health and thus a high productivity. Moreover, the bio-inspired mini-drones can detect eventual pest onset at plant level that leads to a strong reduction of chemicals utilization and an improvement of the food quality. The realization of these mini-drones is a multidisciplinary challenge as it requires a cross-domain collaboration between biologists, entomologists and engineers with expertise in robotics, mechanics, aerodynamics, electronics, etc. Moreover a co-creation based collaboration will be established with all the stakeholders involved. With this approach we can integrate technical and social-economic aspects and facilitate the adoption of this new technology that will make the Dutch horticulture industry more resilient and sustainable.
Agricultural/horticultural products account for 9% of Dutch gross domestic product. Yearly expansion of production involves major challenges concerning labour costs and plant health control. For growers, one of the most urgent problems is pest detection, as pests cause up to 10% harvest loss, while the use of chemicals is increasingly prohibited. For consumers, food safety is increasingly important. A potential solution for both challenges is frequent and automated pest monitoring. Although technological developments such as propeller-based drones and robotic arms are in full swing, these are not suitable for vertical horticulture (e.g. tomatoes, cucumbers). A better solution for less labour intensive pest detection in vertical crop horticulture, is a bio-inspired FW-MAV: Flapping Wings Micro Aerial Vehicle. Within this project we will develop tiny FW-MAVs inspired by insect agility, with high manoeuvrability for close plant inspection, even through leaves without damage. This project focusses on technical design, testing and prototyping of FW-MAV and on autonomous flight through vertically growing crops in greenhouses. The three biggest technical challenges for FW-MAV development are: 1) size, lower flight speed and hovering; 2) Flight time; and 3) Energy efficiency. The greenhouse environment and pest detection functionality pose additional challenges such as autonomous flight, high manoeuvrability, vertical take-off/landing, payload of sensors and other equipment. All of this is a multidisciplinary challenge requiring cross-domain collaboration between several partners, such as growers, biologists, entomologists and engineers with expertise in robotics, mechanics, aerodynamics, electronics, etc. In this project a co-creation based collaboration is established with all stakeholders involved, integrating technical and biological aspects.
In het project 'Circular Material Testing for 3DP' (CMT) willen partners HB3D en Bambooder samen met de Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA) de geschiktheid beoordelen van verschillende circulaire materialen voor 3D-printen (3DP) met industriële robots, om een verdere verduurzaming van deze technologie te ondersteunen. Verschillende materialen zullen worden onderzocht en vergeleken op hun optimale printomstandigheden. Er zal een beoordelingsprotocol worden ontwikkeld om de materialen te beoordelen. Dit protocol introduceert a) specifiek ontworpen 3D-objecten die kunnen helpen bij het demonstreren en vergelijken van printcapaciteiten; b) specifieke tests om de mechanische eigenschappen van het materiaal te bepalen en c) circulaire experimenten om de 3DP-levenscyclus van deze materiaalstromen te controleren (d.w.z. de mogelijkheid om opnieuw te printen met het materiaal van een oude print). Alle resultaten zullen op een uniforme en uitgebreide manier worden gepresenteerd om de norm te stellen voor toekomstige tests en om ontwerpers / producenten te ondersteunen bij het selecteren van materialen voor Robot 3DP-toepassingen. Onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd door de Digital Production Research Group van het Centre of Expertise Urban Technology, samen met bovengenoemde partners, die leveranciers zijn van biobased plastics (Bambooder) en Robot 3DP toepassen (HB3D). De ontwikkelde tests zullen worden toegepast op standaard, fossiel polymeermateriaal, en vervolgens op twee nieuwe, circulaire materialen voor 3DP, geleverd door Bambooder en HB3D (die circulaire printmaterialen van DSM gaat leveren). Het project werkt toe naar een standaard beoordelingsprotocol (inclusief circulariteit) dat de acceptatie van nieuwe materialen voor 3DP kan vergemakkelijken. Een dergelijk protocol biedt materiaaleigenaren nieuwe kansen om hun specifieke afvalstromen te upcyclen. CMT is een belangrijke en gewenste stap richting industrieel 3D-printen met circulaire materialen, dat bijdraagt aan de ontwikkeling van slimme industrie en circulaire economie, beide relevant voor de maatschappelijke uitdagingen zoals opgenomen in de nationale Kennis- en Innovatieagenda voor wetenschap en technologie.
