Major Project

WHAT ARE SMART MACHINES?

A smart machine is one that can think on its own to a certain degree. As "cognitive computing systems," smart machines are able to solve problems and make decisions on their own. Advanced computer programming and technology that enables the machine to process massive amounts of data quickly and "make decisions" based on the data is what makes smart machines smart. Because she is connected to the information streaming from your weather app, Siri, for instance, can answer the question "What is the weather today?" Your smartphone is one example of a smart machine that is linked to other smart machines via the Weather Channel network.

Examples:

Smartdust: Smartdust is a system of many tiny (sometimes even microscopic!) systems such as sensors, robots, or other devices that can detect things in the environment such as light, temperature, chemicals, etc. 

Smart Robot: A smart robot is an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can learn from the environment and experience and build on capabilities based on that knowledge. Smart robots can collaborate with humans, working along-side them and learning from their behavior. 

Autonomous car: A smart (also known as autonomous) car is a vehicle that can drive itself without any help of  person. Major companies like Google and Uber are piloting this new technology, and it could very well take over roads worldwide in the near future. 

UAVs: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot aboard. Drones are being used by Amazon to deliver packages, Dominoes to deliver pizza, and much more every day! 

(https://www.careerinstem.com/what-are-smart-machines/)

CHARACTERISTICS OF SMART MACHINES

Efficiency — A smart machine will be able to keep an eye on both its own vital components and the external environment thanks to the use of sensors and the inherent knowledge of its own capabilities and features. When given business rules, embedded intelligence will correlate upstream and downstream behaviour and adjust its own parameters.

Safety and Security — With security built into their fundamental designs, smart machines will improve the safety of operators and minimize the security risk of increased networking. Improvements in machine performance and lifetime cost reductions cannot be offset by reducing the safety or security of the machine or production line. In terms of safety, machine builders need to offer a broad range of flexible options. This will include dedicated safety components, such as laser scanners and safety cameras, together with automation components with embedded safety, such as safety PLCs and safety drives. The ability to utilize a mix of safety components and controllers will allow machine builders to fit the solution to specific end user application requirements, helping to improve overall performance and productivity.

Flexibility — End users want devices that can be quickly installed and need new smart machines to be compatible with existing installations or machinery from different OEMs. It must be simple to integrate with the rest of the system. Monolithic or sole-purpose design is not feasible given the lifecycle of modern machines. OEMs are forced to adopt mechatronic design and modularity due to the rapid development prompted by time-to-market constraints. Templates of tried-and-true design, ranging from basic software functions to fully functional modules describing mechanics, electrical, motion and interfaces, features, and behaviour, will be useful for smart machines.

References:

Pratt, M.K. and Sales, F. (2017) What is Smart Machines?: Definition from TechTarget, CIO. Available at: https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/definition/smart-machines (Accessed: 05 June 2023).

Pereira, A. (2020) What are smart machines?, Career In STEM®. Available at: https://www.careerinstem.com/what-are-smart-machines/ (Accessed: 05 June 2023).

Group, S.M. (2019) Understanding smart machines: How they will shape the future, Tech Briefs. Available at: https://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/tb/pub/features/technology-leaders/28863 (Accessed: 05 June 2023).