Economic, Social Impacts and Operation of Smart Factories in Industry 4.0 Focusing on Simulation and Artificial Intelligence of Collaborating Robots

Abstract

Smart Factory is a complex system that integrates the main elements of the Industry 4.0 concept (e.g., autonomous robots, Internet of Things, and Big data). In Smart Factories intelligent robots, tools, and smart workpieces communicate and collaborate with each other continuously, which results in self-organizing and self-optimizing production. The significance of Smart Factories is to make production more competitive, efficient, flexible and sustainable. The purpose of the study is not only the introduction of the concept and operation of the Smart Factories, but at the same time to show the application of Simulation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods in practice. The significance of the study is that the economic and social operational requirements and impacts of Smart Factories are summarized and the characteristics of the traditional factory and the Smart Factory are compared. The most significant added value of the research is that a real case study is introduced for Simulation of the operation of two collaborating robots applying AI. Quantitative research methods are used, such as numerical and graphical modeling and Simulation, 3D design, furthermore executing Tabu Search in the space of trajectories, but in some aspects the work included fundamental methods, like suggesting an original whip-lashing analog for designing robot trajectories. The conclusion of the case study is that—due to using Simulation and AI methods—the motion path of the robot arm is improved, resulting in more than five percent time-savings, which leads to a significant improvement in productivity. It can be concluded that the establishment of Smart Factories will be essential in the future and the application of Simulation and AI methods for collaborating robots are needed for efficient and optimal operation of production processes.

Industry 4.0 - Current Status and Future Trends

“…AI helps robots learn autonomously, act logically, and communicate with each other. The use of collaborating robots, at the same time AI I'd being used, conforms a fundamental tool for the optimal and efficient operation of production processes in the Smart Industry or Smart Factory [13].…”

“…Simulation and AI methods provided an improved solution for the robot arm's movement path, which saves 5% of time, which means a significant improvement in productivity [13].…”

“…It can also indicate when the operating data is defective. As the amount of data increases, the system optimizes its efficiency and allows more accurate predictions [13].…”

Survey on artificial intelligence algorithms used in industrial robotics

“…Nowadays, the industrial sector is exposing to the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) where AI and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities are taking a large part in the development of Industry 4.0 that requires smart agents and robotic systems endowed with AI and ML technologies. The significant role of using intelligent machines reside in the purpose of creating a smart and flexible industry that reduce the lead time achieving higher productivity with improving the product quality [5][6]. AI field includes different subsets as ML and the newest Deep Learning techniques where algorithms learn from data without the need of programming.…”

Intelligent 3D Perception System for Semantic Description and Dynamic Interaction

“…Robots with the ability to freely move through an environment, knowing their positions and able to sense the world can execute intelligent tasks. Such robots may develop tasks, for example, in industries [3,4,5] and in rescue tasks [6,7,8], or replacing humans in hazardous work.…”