Exploring future production systems using smart portable automation

Sammanfattning

Background and problem statement: In today's society, it has become increasingly important to be competitive and sustainable. This makes it difficult for companies in the Western world to compete with low-wage countries. Traditionally, this has been managed by relying on high degree of automation, but as society increasingly demands shorter product cycles and high variation, there is a need for more flexible production capacity. Today's automation solutions are rigid, and it is costly and complicated to adapt production lines to meet market demand. This has led to growing demand for more flexible, portable and reconfigurable automation solutions that can be utilized by non-experts, a concept referred to in this study as smart portable automation. Purpose and research questions: The aim of this study is to explore how to use smart portable automation in existing production systems. What are the challenges for using smart portable automation in production systems? What are the enabling factors for using smart portable automation in production systems? Method: The study adopted a qualitative approach through a case study conducted at a global company in the heavy vehicle industry located in Sweden. Several interviews were conducted with people in different departments within the company to map different perspectives linked to the use of Smart portable automation. The collected data was analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns linked to challenges and enabling factors for the use of smart portable automation within existing production systems. Results: The study indicated that one of the enabling factors for adopting the technologies was achieving organizational acceptance for their use of smart portable automation. At the same time, it remains essential to examine how and where smart portable automation should be utilized and to clearly define the subsequent role of the user within the production system. Challenges and enablers were also mapped for different parts of the organization to accept the solution. With challenges linked to, for example safety, portability, and complexity in the systems but also integration with older systems and other technologies. Conclusion: To meet the challenges and opportunities of smart automation in existing production lines, user acceptance is crucial. It is about engaging and involving both management and operators to create systems where humans and robots work together. Technology should be combined with human abilities to handle repetitive and dangerous tasks, while humans focus on problem solving and flexibility. Leveraging technology requires technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, as well as a culture within the organization that promote simplicity, change and collaboration.