INDUSTRY News
University of York scientists set up a new guidance to make AI- and ML-based automation technologies safer
A team of UK computer scientists from University of York has developed guidelines to make machine learning (ML) and artifi cial intelligence (AI) for autonomous technologies safe. As robots, delivery drones, smart factories and driverless cars become pervasive in industry and our everyday lives, current safety regulations for autonomous technologies are seen as a grey area, lacking robust safety nets. Global guidelines for autonomous systems are not as stringent compared to other high-risk technologies; current standards often lack detail, with some new technologies based around AI and ML arriving to the market unsafe. “The current approach to assuring safety in autonomous technologies is haphazard, with very little guidance or set standards in place. Sectors everywhere
struggle to develop new guidelines fast enough to ensure that robotics and autonomous systems are safe for people to use. If the rush to market is the most important consideration when developing a new product, it will only be a matter of time before an unsafe piece of technology causes a serious accident,” said Dr Richard Hawkins, Senior Research Fellow and one of the authors of the new safety guide.
Developed by the Assuring Autonomy
Overview of the AMLAS technology, Assuring Autonomy International Programme, the University of York
International Programme (AAIP) at the University of York, the new guidance is called “Assurance of Machine Learning for use in Autonomous Systems”, or AMLAS. The process systematically integrates safety assurance into the development of ML components. AMLAS has already been used in several applications, including transport and healthcare.
New fl ow-wrapping machine simplifi es sandwich making
A Sheffi eld-based sandwich maker has invested in a new fl ow-wrapping machine to streamline its everyday sandwich- making preparation processes. With 14 shops in the Sheffi eld area,
Beres Pork Shop is celebrating its 60th anniversary and has fi rmly established itself as a lunchtime favourite of the Steel City. However, with over a million sliced bread rolls required every year, preparing high-quality sandwiches is a logistical challenge that previously required manual handling. Richard Beres, Owner of Beres Pork Shop, says the new FR100 fl ow wrapper from ULMA Packaging will help centralise and simplify a previously time-consuming aspect of the sandwich-making process. “We would previously have to load
the rolls by hand into separate bread baskets at our main facility for transport to individual branches, where slicing and packaging would take place. However, the bread could dry out before reaching its destination, and we had to consider health and safety – cutting bread with
6 May 2022 | Automation
sharp implements in a busy shop can be dangerous, so we wanted to ensure our staff were protected too.” With these concerns in mind, Beres
realised it had to invest in packaging machinery, which was a foray into automation technology for the fi rm. Beres bought an FR100 fl ow wrapper to handle its bread rolls – a highly-regarded entry-level option for companies looking to adopt packaging technologies. It is designed for the packaging of trays of baked goods, pastries and cakes alongside other trayed and trayless goods. Equipped with an easy-to-operate industrial PC and 7” HMI touchscreen, personnel can quickly and simply make changes to the packaging process, something Beres hugely appreciated: “It’s crucial we can quickly adapt the packaging process as we have to supply three roll sizes, so the fact it is easy to change the machine’s parameters with only one size of fi lm is a massive bonus,” said Beres. “It has made everything so much more streamlined and effi cient – as
we can now slice and package everything in one place, our staff ’s day-to-day duties are much easier, as they don’t have to balance packaging and slicing with serving customers.”
automationmagazine.co.uk
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