NASA commercial programs

An expanded role for the U.S. private sector in America's space future has emerged as a key national objective, and NASA's Office of Commercial Programs is providing a focus for action. The Office supports new high technology commercial space ventures, the commercial application of existing aeronautics and space technology, and expanded commercial access to available NASA capabilities and services. The progress NASA has made in carrying out its new assignment is highlighted

Robots and humans as co-workers? The human-centred perspective of work with autonomous systems

The design of work organisation systems with automated equipment is facing new challenges and the emergence of new concepts. The social aspects that are related with new concepts on the complex work environments (CWE) are becoming more relevant for that design. The work with autonomous systems implies options in the design of workplaces. Especially that happens in such complex environments. The concepts of “agents”, “co-working” or “human-centred technical systems” reveal new dimensions related to human-computer interaction (HCI). With an increase in the number and complexity of those human-technology interfaces, the capacities of human intervention can become limited, originating further problems. The case of robotics is used to exemplify the issues related with automation in working environments and the emergence of new HCI approaches that would include social implications. We conclude that studies on technology assessment of industrial robotics and autonomous agents on manufacturing environment should also focus on the human involvement strategies in organisations. A needed participatory strategy implies a new approach to workplaces design. This means that the research focus must be on the relation between technology and social dimensions not as separate entities, but integrated in the design of an interaction system.With the support of the project Social implications of robotics in manufacturing industry (IR@MI) and project Intuitive interaction between humans and industrial robot systems – a contribution to a conceptual approach (I3RS), both financed by KIT in 2012

Report of the In Situ Resources Utilization Workshop

The results of a workshop of 50 representatives from the public and private sector which investigated the potential joint development of the key technologies and mechanisms that will enable the permanent habitation of space are presented. The workshop is an initial step to develop a joint public/private assessment of new technology requirements of future space options, to share knowledge on required technologies that may exist in the private sector, and to investigate potential joint technology development opportunities. The majority of the material was produced in 5 working groups: (1) Construction, Assembly, Automation and Robotics; (2) Prospecting, Mining, and Surface Transportation; (3) Biosystems and Life Support; (4) Materials Processing; and (5) Innovative Ventures. In addition to the results of the working groups, preliminary technology development recommendations to assist in near-term development priority decisions are presented. Finally, steps are outlined for potential new future activities and relationships among the public, private, and academic sectors

WoodCircus, Underpinning the vital role of the forest-based sector in the Circular Bioeconomy. D2.2 Resource Efficiency, Side Streams and Value Chain Analysis – WP2 Final Report

202

Emerging trends in the enterprise resource planning software industry

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/96927/1/MBA_PadhiF_1998Final.pd

Human Resource Implications of Robotics

The authors contend that the introduction of robots into the workplace is simply another stage in the long history of the automation of production, and that the effects will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary.https://research.upjohn.org/up_press/1133/thumbnail.jp

What are the Barriers to Adoption of Radical Innovation in Conservative Industries and How Can They Be Overcome by Technology Providers?

The research explores the “petroleum industry” in the field of “oil and gas”. The goal is to convert industry “conservatism” into an industry standard that follows a consistent pattern of architecture, dominant design, and radical innovation, articulated and applies the assistance of technology providers and eliminate the biases and give the innovator the pertinent information that he/she needs to move forward with innovation adoption. The focus of the research was on cross-case examinations which included historical and new innovation. The method that was chosen is the qualitative and quantitative approach. The research led to the conclusion that the main innovation barriers are regulation, perception, justified beliefs, uncertainties, financial, log size, security and privacy. The paper is focusing on volatility within the petroleum industry as the main barrier. Recommendations to these barriers are technological providers, structure and methodology. There is a gap where future research is recommended with the universities being able to assist with innovative ideas