research papers

The primary market motive force is economic. Manufacturers, therefore, want to reduce capital expenditures, increase productivity, and reduce labor to increase profits. Currently, robots are integrate into a wide range of production line, with specialized or multiple functions. The BEST game competition this year is about design a robot that can efficiently finish its specialized task in given time. Modern industry

The success of an industry is measured by its ability to meet the needs of customers. Meeting customer's expectations requires production facilities to incorporate automated technologies; therefore, manufacturers are increasing the use of robotics to improve the quality of their products. The Robotics Industries Association reports that industries such as electronics, metals, plastics and rubber, consumer goods, aerospace are enhancing their services through the application of robotics(cited by Inman, R.A.). BEST robotics competition 2010 provides students with real-world experiences in automotive industry, particularly in robotics control system.
Historically, Japan was the first country to integrate robotics function in broad manufacturing process. Japan becomes the dominant manufacturer of industrial robots, and continuously improve automated performance. To compete with foreign nations, United State is encouraging the developing of robotics technologies. In today's competitive market, every company needs to expand their output and to yield the best quality products, yet manual assembly line is no longer able to meet current requirements. Many functions cannot be performed by humans because of their small scale, dangerous, difficult tasks. Moreover, the human capital is not always available, and the use of robots proves to be efficient, inexpensive, and reliable. A broad range of industries is investing in industrial robots that help companies standardize procedures, and accurately measure the performance.
Such a difficult field like industrial robots requires the efforts of experts, but it will not be fully developed without the involvement of the young people. The BEST competition engages the best young minds to the exciting fields of Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In this year competition, students design their robotic control system, and develop factory strategies that perform different tasks in the “gadget” production line, and the “gizmo” production line. Each team is not only to design and create the robots that meet the highest quality requirements but also to compete with other teams and to provide complete documentation, marketing plan, exhibit material. Even more challenge, each team will be interview about its design and proposals. The game requires students to dedicate their skills and creativities.
The primary motive force of market is economic. Manufacturers, want to reduce capital expenditures, increase productivity, and reduce labor to increase profits. Currently, robots are integrate into a wide range of production line, with specialized or multiple functions. The BEST game competition this year is about designing a robot that can efficiently finish its specialized task in given time. The process of designing, developing, programming, and demonstrating the robot's functions in the production line of the game can, in many aspects, reflect how modern industry integrate robotics function in manufacturing process. Let's take FedEx as example of a company that is investing in robotics research, and applying robots to enhance the productivity.
In 2006, FedEx invested $5 million to the FedEx Institute of Technology for the development of research areas of sensors, robotics . The research on the University of Memphis campus focused on achieving faster production process (Sheffied, M. para. 1). In more details, the research center focused on developing robots specializing in shipping yard management that handle things from lawn mowing to guard duty (Matthews, E., para. 6). The supply chain and the software centers were established to aid the robotics research. Thus, there is a strong connection between designing, programming, and building the robots that work, just like the requirements of the BEST game competition. If we look closer at the process that FedEx meet its customer's needs, we can see that FedEx benefits greatly from this robotics research.
FedEx Shipsmart process delivers a customer's package in multiple steps with the help of automated machines. A network of pick-up, induction, scanning, sorting, loading, staging, and delivery is involved (shipsmart, para. 1). During induction and loading, packages are placed on automated conveyors to minimize processing time and protect the fragile materials. Packages also be placed on automated sorter that carry them to appropriate destinations. Just like in the Gizmo production line, robots move packages to packaging center, or in the Gadget Production line, robots move tested gadgets to sorting area and move defective product to the Product Recall Center. Thus, each step requires precise informations, and each task must be finished within a limited time.
The integrating of robotics control system is benefitial to FedEx Shipsmart Process. The tasks will be finished in less time, and met more requirements. FedEx is one of many company that want to compete in the market, and welcome changes and innovations that increase the yielding of quality products. National wise, many companies are investing on robotics research, and robotics industry is gradually play a more important role in the economy. Many universities are also in the competition of developing more efficient and helpful robotics functions.
In many ways, BEST game competition modified the real-world manufacturing process with the help of robots. The game provides students with experiences in designing, and creating a useful robots like in many million-worth research projects.