{"673031":{"#nid":"673031","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Next Challenge For Manufacturers: Get smart! ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIntegrating artificial intelligence in a manufacturing process requires planning and small steps, say experts with Georgia AIM\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe flat, wheeled robot gingerly moved across the floor, aiming for a taped square in the far corner. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESuddenly, someone stepped into its path. The robot stopped, blinked its lights, then carefully turned to a slightly different path. Its goal remained the same, but it adjusted the route on the fly. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cThis is an autonomous mobile robot,\u201d explained Sean Madhavaraman, project manager specializing in industry 4.0 strategy and leadership development for the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) at the Georgia Institute of Technology\u2019s Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2). \u201cNo programming experience is necessary, and it can map a room by itself. It\u2019s also very safe \u2014 you can step in front of it, and it will reroute.\u201d \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThat demonstration was one of several on display at a recent event hosted by EI2\u2019s Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM) and the Georgia MBDA Business Center. The program of speakers, a tour and a panel discussion took place at Georgia Tech\u2019s Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility and served as an introduction into the world of artificial intelligence.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWith about 50 manufacturers and engineers in attendance, the goal of the event was twofold, said Donna Ennis, Georgia AIM co-director. First, it served as an introduction to the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility, which conducts research on new manufacturing technologies through its public-private partnerships. But also, it was an opportunity for manufacturers of all sizes to learn about the roles AI can play in their processes. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cArtificial intelligence has the power to bring transformative change to our manufacturers and our workforce, but it can seem overwhelming \u2014 where do you start?\u201d Ennis said. \u201cWe wanted to create an opportunity to show manufacturers that you don\u2019t need a large investment or a large time commitment to begin to implement AI. Think about your process, explore your options, and use the resources we have available to you.\u201d\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA Statewide Initiative \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EGeorgia AIM was created through a $65 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant awarded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The grant funds 17 projects\/ subprojects throughout the state that work in education, manufacturing, workforce development and new technologies. At its core, Ennis said, Georgia AIM is working to reach all Georgia residents \u2014 specifically residents in communities underrepresented in manufacturing spaces, including veterans; women; Black, indigenous and people of color; rural residents; and older workers \u2014 and empower them to fully participate in a diverse AI manufacturing workforce. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIn the area of workforce development, the grant supports programs that upskill adults in the workforce, as well as programs that reach K-12 students, technical college students and those attending four-year universities. For example, Georgia AIM is supporting the construction of a new lab at South Georgia Regional Technical College that will train students and area residents on new technologies in food processing\u2014a key industry in that region. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAnother project partner, Georgia Tech\u2019s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC) is developing curricula and educational materials for K-12 students and hosts regional STEM-based competitions to promote science and technology.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EOther projects are connecting with communities to help train the workforce on AI technologies. A partnership between the University of Georgia and the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs is developing a mobile lab stocked with technology \u201cvignettes\u201d \u2014 self-contained examples of real-world AI applications. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThis mobile lab, as well as two others developed by Middle Georgia\u2019s 21st Century Partnership, will travel across the state to work with schools and community organizations. The goal is to introduce underserved communities to AI technologies and open new doors to employees\u2014and employers. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cWe recognize that not every community across the state has had equal access to these new technologies. We want to break down those barriers,\u201d added Ennis. \u201cBy taking these smart technologies to traditionally underserved communities, we aim to inspire and encourage Georgia\u2019s workforce. This technology has the power to be transformative for our manufacturing community.\u201d \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EOther programs offered by Georgia AIM focus on manufacturers and adoption of new technologies. And that was part of the presentation offered by Ennis and project co-director Aaron Stebner, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science engineering at Georgia Tech. In addition to workforce development and deployment, Georgia AIM also offers cybersecurity assessments and assistance with technology development and deployment for manufacturers.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFor example, the GaMEP project provides a range of assistance, including cyber assessments, gap assessments and automation training. Another partner, EI2\u2019s Advanced Technology Development Center, assists new tech startups and can help connect them with manufacturers that could use the technology. And Georgia Tech\u2019s Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility provides a space for companies to try new technologies without losing time on their own manufacturing line. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cWe\u2019re really a proving ground for new technology adoption,\u201d Stebner said. The Georgia AIM grant is funding an expansion of the facility, which will allow for more smart technologies in the space. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cOur plan is to integrate autonomous robots and build out the manufacturing units to provide even more examples of manufacturing integrating with smart technologies.\u201d \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe facility\u2019s new Georgia Tech Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium is a member-based group that connects industry with academic and government research resources. Consortium members gain access to facility equipment, workforce training programs, new manufacturing systems and networking opportunities with other members. (For details, visit ampf.research.gatech. edu\/how-engage.)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAI: More than \u2018the spice\u2019 \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EBut first, Ennis and Stebner told the manufacturers and business owners gathered at the manufacturing pilot facility, it was important to take stock of their current processes and think of where automation might occur. Start small and identify repetitive motions or places where human-machine collaborations might occur. Perhaps adding some sensors could help predict a mechanical failure, or a small automation might make a process more streamlined. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EDuring a tour of the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility, attendees met graduate students who specialize in metals, 3-D printing technologies and other areas and got first-hand looks at new innovations in action. Some stations at the facility represented old practices merged with updated technology \u2014 such as a welder merged with a computer numerical control (CNC) device to automate its movements. In other places, entirely new technologies, such as large-format 3-D scanners, helped attendees think about new production methods that might incorporate smart technology.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EMadhavaraman and other GaMEP representatives demonstrated the use of sensors, collaborative robots and autonomous mobile robots in the manufacturing process. Attendees were intrigued, especially as Madhavaraman explained how the robots could be integrated into a manufacturing process to work alongside a person. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cThat\u2019s why we call them \u2018co-bots,\u2019 not robots,\u201d he said. \u201cCollaborative robots are great for packaging and palleting products. No programming experience is necessary \u2014 you can use a tablet to tell the robot what to do or point the robot in the direction you want it to go.\u201d \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EBefore the event closed, a panel of three experts fielded questions from Madhavaraman on AI adoption and making the leap into smart technologies. The panel included Mitchell Tartar, project engineer with CJB Industries; Sentil Ramamurthy, senior engineer with Novelis; and Subbu Vishnubhatia, director of project management for Hexagon Management Intelligence. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIn addition to addressing workforce needs, the panel stressed that manufacturers walk \u2014 not run \u2014 toward embracing smart technologies. Find the pinch points, start collecting data and think about small, holistic changes, they said.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cAI is not the spice in the dish that makes it very tasty,\u201d said Vishnubhatia. He and the other panel members agreed it is best to start small. Incorporating smart technologies doesn\u2019t need to be overly expensive or time-consuming \u2014 but it does require managers and employees to think outside the box. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAnd, getting buy-in from those who work with manufacturing. Not only is training imperative, added Tartar, but it\u2019s important to have everyone on board with adopting new technology. Change is hard, but it doesn\u2019t have to be difficult.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u201cInvolve your people\u2014they are going to know when the data is wrong,\u201d she said. \u201cYou don\u2019t need to do it all at once; if you want to get involved with AI, you can really break those costs down and do it a little piece at a time.\u201d \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFor more information on Georgia AIM and the opportunities provided through its partner projects, visit: georgiaaim.org\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis article was originally published by Georgia Pathways Magazine, Feb. 2024, a publication of the Technology Association of Georgia.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EIntegrating artificial intelligence in a manufacturing process requires planning and small steps, say experts with Georgia AIM\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Integrating artificial intelligence in a manufacturing process requires planning and small steps, say experts with Georgia AIM"}],"uid":"27513","created_gmt":"2024-02-16 20:15:50","changed_gmt":"2024-02-16 20:20:44","author":"Walter Rich","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-02-16T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2024-02-16T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673129":{"id":"673129","type":"image","title":"AMPF Tour - Feb, 2024","body":"\u003Cp\u003EManufacturers and other business owners tour the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility at Georgia Tech, which serves as a proving ground for new technologies in the manufacturing process. The facility is a partner on the Georgia AIM project. (Photo courtesy Georgia AIM)\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1708114395","gmt_created":"2024-02-16 20:13:15","changed":"1708114394","gmt_changed":"2024-02-16 20:13:14","alt":"AMPF Tour - Feb, 2024","file":{"fid":"256485","name":"screen_516 copy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/02\/16\/screen_516%20copy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/02\/16\/screen_516%20copy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":416370,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/02\/16\/screen_516%20copy.jpg?itok=RxPjwlT2"}}},"media_ids":["673129"],"groups":[{"id":"155831","name":"Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI)"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}