Automation and cybernetics

Citation

Rudall, B.H. (2001), "Automation and cybernetics", Kybernetes, Vol. 30 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/k.2001.06730aaa.004

Automation and cybernetics

Automation and cybernetics

1. Autonomous aircraft

Research into the design and production of autonomous aircraft for applications involving exploration, inspection and surveillance is being carried out worldwide. Many examples have already been reported. From the UK, however, comes the report that such a device was inspired by the actions of the hover fly. The result has been the development of a six-inch long aircraft, which is only one inch wide and has a wingspan of 12 inches. The plane has got wings, we are told by the project spokesperson, that really flap. The aircraft is said to be entirely autonomous and will, we are assured, be able to stop in mid-air and dart around/corners. This will give it the ideal characteristics of a "spy plane" which will, for example, allow it to explore enemy installations well behind any frontiers or battle lines.

The research and development is being carried out at the University of Cranfield, Wiltshire, UK. Its function appears to be for use as a military "defence tool", but with already possible non-military applications, such as police surveillance, being discussed.

At the Cranfield Department of Aerospace, Dr Rafa Zbikowski says that:

… its wings would flap like insect wings. They will be proportionately larger than those of a hover fly, allowing them to flap at around 20 times a second. A hover fly flaps its wing at 150 beats a second, which would prove too noisy a plane. The wings will also fold up, allowing the planes to be carried in a pocket.

Indoor flight requires a distinct flight envelope with emphasis on low speed, ability to hover and high agility at low speeds. Such an envelope is unlikely to be achieved scaled-down conventional designs of either fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. Hence the attraction of flap ping flight.

The designers have used the technology already seen in use for the development of smart missiles. Their aim, they say, is to make the plane entirely autonomous using the same "smart" technology. It will be equipped with two miniature cameras to record images on a computer chip and will weigh less than 100g.

We are told that a prototype motor for the plane, which will be battery powered, has already been built. It should be flying in five to ten years, when it is expected to be capable of flying at speeds or seven miles per hour and able to have a flight time of some 30 minutes before recharging is necessary.

Biocyberneticians are not surprised at the number of "new" high-tech projects that have recently emerged because of the inspiration gained from nature. Insects of all species, indeed plants too, have had their structures and functions carefully analysed and the results have contributed to and inspired developments that mimic or provide models for innovative devices.

2. Physiotherapy using robots and expert systems

The Robotics Group of the Manufacturing Engineering Centre (MEC) published a short account of progress in the application of robotics to physiotherapy called "Physiotherapy by robots", published in the Centre's newsletter. It describes and discusses robotic rehabilitation systems and their uses and effectiveness. The account reminded us that physiotherapists must have great skills and devotion to administer hours of careful treatment to people disabled by accident or illness. They have often, we are told, been referred to as "physio-terrorists". It would seem most unlikely that their patients could contemplate a time when machines could perform such treatments.

The report says that, together with partners in Germany, Hungary and Bulgaria, MEC has been funded by the European Union under its Framework V programme to develop a robotic rehabilitation system called REHAROB, which aims at giving routine and repetitive treatment to patients suffering from neuro-motor impairment. REHAROB will integrate an industrial robot, sensors and a motion analyser to replace human physiotherapists and efficiently assist the patient by giving early motion therapy with complex and co-ordinated 3-D movement of the upper limb.

In describing the system project MEC, say that:

The robot system will be controlled by an expert system which will contain data of all the knowledge and skills required by a physiotherapist together with the patient's data. REHAROB will devise an individual upper limb motion therapy for each patient. The robot will grip the limb and administer the required number of motions following the therapy programme for that patient.

This choice of method is yet another example of the interdisciplinary approach advocated by cybernetic thinking.

The point is made that by monitoring data taken from the patient in real time, the robot will ensure that no discomfort is being caused and it will also be able to adjust the motion within specified parameters.

In their account of these developments, MEC also say that they believe they will take:

… a leading role in the development of intelligent techniques for the control of and co-ordination between the robot and the motion analyser, the main components of the motion therapy cell. In addition, the Centre will be involved in the development of Virtual Reality (VR) tools for therapy assessment and training. This will include the linking of the intelligent therapy determination system, the intelligent therapy control system, and the VR system to the physiotherapy, monitoring and documentation system which will form an integral part of the REHAROB cell. ZEBRIS Medizintechnik GmbH, of Germany, a producer of measuring instruments in the field of biomechanics, will develop the motion analyser system with sensors, active markers, receivers and computational equipment. The Technical University of Budapest and the University of Rousse in Bulgaria will bring their research experience and technical know-how into this challenging project. The actual clinical trials will be carried out by the National Institute for Medical Rehabilitation which co-ordinates and assists the provision of medical rehabilitation services throughout Hungary. The exploitation role will be undertaken by ZEBRIS.

The REHAROB project was described by Dr Ming Yang, its project engineer. In effect, what it aims at is a physiotherapy system that will be controlled by an expert system that contains the knowledge and skills of a professional physiotherapist.

This is regarded as one of the novel aspects of this automated physiotherapy project. The developers say that:

REHAROB will use the database of skills and knowledge of many physiotherapists together with sensory information from a motion analyser and from the patient so that the system controls the therapy intelligently. It is anticipated that the daily repetition of motion excercises may reduce the total duration of the neuro-rehabilitation treatment by at least 10 per cent.

Further details can be obtained from: The Manufacturing Engineering Centre (MEC) School of Engineering, Cardiff University, PO Box 688, Newport Road, Cardiff CF24 3TE , Wales, UK. Tel: +44 (0)29 2087 4641; Fax: +44 (0)29 2087 4880; e-mail: Manufacturing@cardiff.ac.uk; Web site: http://intell-lab.engi.cf.ac.uk/manufacturing

3. Designing robotic devices for sub-zero environments

Designing and producing robots for use in a sub-zero environment presents many challenges. Such environments exist both on earth and in space. Globally, however, these environments are commonplace and not simply dependent on the prevailing climate in any part of the world. Humans have created them for their own convenience and our dependence on our abilities to build them and work in them is now of prime importance not only to our current way of life but also for specialist activities and in particular research projects.

One robotics company amongst the many worldwide which are active in this application of automation and robotics is FANUC Robotics (UK) Limited[2] which has been developing robots for use in "cold rooms".

The shift in eating habits towards prepared frozen food means that, today, much more handling and palletising of cases of food products takes place in a sub-zero environment.

With manual handling this presents significant additional costs. Operators are limited to the amount of time they can spend in such an environment per hour. To address this problem, Coventry-based FANUC Robotics has introduced a cold room version of the M410i palletising robot.

This has been achieved by enclosing the robot mechanism in insulated sleeves through which warm air is circulated. The control system is located outside the cold room, while the "teach pendant" that is used inside the cold room to create programs is held in a heated bag. The maximum load capacity ranges from 100kg to 400kg. Even the robot with the highest capacity operates at high speed. It can perform up to 730 standard cycles per hour. This comprises a 400mm lift, 2000ram horizontal traverse followed by 400mm down. With such a lifting capacity, it is the ideal solution for "complete layer" lifting of cases of bottles and cases of food stuffs.

The robot follows the same configuration of other FANUC models with an over hung arm. This means the robot always accesses the in-feed or pallets from the upper surface. With a general purpose articulated robot there is always the risk of collision with the front of the pallet, when reaching to the back. The FANUC M410iWW configuration eliminates this possibility.

There is a hollow wrist mechanism at the end of the arm where pneumatic and electrical services to end of arm tooling can be routed. Internally carried services are better protected from chaffing or twisting.

The robot can utilise the FANUC Pallet Tool software that allows the operator to optimise palletising patterns based on the pallet size and box size. A graphical user interface enables the operator to review stacking options without any specialised programming knowledge.

B.H. RudallNorbert Wiener Institute and University of Wales (UK)

Notes

1. 1.

   Produced by the Life Sciences Interface Programme of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council of the UK. For further information, contact: lesley.thompson@epsrc.ac.uk See also http://www.tifrc.ac.uk

2. 2.

   FANUC Robotics (UK) Limited, Seven Stars Industrial Estate, Wheler Road, Coventry CV3 4LB, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1203 639669; Fax: +44 (0)1203 304333.