Analysis_of_online_learning_in_China_during_the_coronavirus_epidemic

Analysis of online learning in China during the coronavirus epidemic

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The COVID-19 pandemic has suddenly transformed learning and teaching around the world. In the People’s Republic of China, for example, at least 260 million students from elementary school to high school enrolled in online platforms during the epidemic.

This period highlighted a series of critical factors on which it is crucial to reflect:

Connection

A prerequisite for moving from physical classrooms to online learning is a good home Internet connection. Connectivity is much better in urban areas than in rural areas (which rely on wireless data connections from a cell phone in the absence of a landline connection).

Accessibility

To make online learning accessible even for the less advantaged areas, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has urged national telecommunications companies to improve network coverage and offer discounted data plans to students of low-income families. Also, it has taken steps to strengthen TV networks with educational content.

Devices

Often online learning takes several hours a day, which is why users prefer a desktop or laptop computer over mobile phones or mini-pads due to the limited screen size and the difficulty in simultaneously viewing teachers, contents and classmates. This also led to an increase in computer sales.

Mode

The combination of recorded lessons and live streaming allowed students to preview and study recorded videos and online materials independently. They can then participate in live streaming lessons by preparing questions better and interacting with their teachers and classmates.

Digital literacy

Digital literacy skills have become fundamental for teachers. Most of young teachers quickly learn how to manage live streaming lessons. However, some older teachers face significant difficulties, making their lack of digital literacy a severe obstacle to effective teaching.

Interaction

The real-time interaction offered by streaming platforms encourages students to participate, ask questions, engage and share their opinions more comfortably.

But teachers also struggle with the technical limitations of online platforms, such as the inconvenience of writing on a blackboard with a computer mouse.

Online vs Offline

Most of the students are more digitally trained and comfortable with online learning (according to a survey, 83% was satisfactory, and 47% very satisfactory). However, most students expressed strong wishes to return to the old mode. Interactions between students, teachers and facilities in a traditional classroom environment cannot be totally replaced by online learning.

Conclusions

The increase in online learning in the People’s Republic of China during the coronavirus epidemic highlights the importance of infrastructure (networks and devices), platforms (stability, interactions and improvement capacity) and preparation of teachers, students and parents. But this does not make online learning a substitute for face-to-face education. Mixed schooling using online and offline learning through public-private partnerships could become the new norm, even after the pandemic.

source: https://bit.ly/2YSYxRI

Considerations about careers path in engineering in India.

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Interesting considerations from India regarding careers path in engineering both coming from university paths and technical institutes. Of particular significance is the importance they give to enhance the students logical thinking and sustain their holistic development raising what they deem are three important quotients:  

– I.Q. (Intelligence quotient);

– E.Q. (Emotional Quotient);

– S.Q. (Spiritual Quotient).

This not only for their professional growth but also to enable students to be successful in life. All aspects which are also taken in due consideration in our NewMetro Project.

Take a look at the complete article here.

 

Source: https://bit.ly/373d1Rr

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5 Top Machine-to-Machine Startups Impacting Industry 4.0

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We analyzed 389 machine-to-machine startups impacting Industry 4.0. Minto, Ioticiti, RoboticsX, Elemental Machines, and Weeve develop 5 top solutions. Learn more in our Global Startup Heat Map!

Our Innovation Analysts recently looked into emerging technologies and up-and-coming startups working on solutions for Industry 4.0. As there is a large number of startups working on a variety of applications, we want to share our insights with you. Today, we take a look at 5 promising machine-to-machine startups.

Heat Map: 5 Top Machine-to-Machine Startups

Using our StartUs Insights Platform, covering 1.116.000+ startups & emerging companies, we looked at innovation in the field of machine-to-machine. For this research, we identified 389 relevant solutions and picked 5 to showcase below. These companies were chosen based on a data-driven startup scouting approach, taking into account factors such as location, founding year, and technology among others. Depending on your specific criteria, the top picks might look entirely different.

The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights 5 startups & emerging companies developing machine-to-machine solutions. Moreover, the Heat Map reveals regions that observe a high startup activity and illustrates the geographic distribution of all 389 companies we analyzed for this specific topic.

Minto – Condition Monitoring

Condition monitoring involves tracking parameters, such as temperature or vibrations for each asset. The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) brings the power of big data and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication to streamline the processes. This enables real-time monitoring of machines for better predictive analytics. In turn, it saves costs resulting from machine down-times and faulty production.

Minto is an Indian startup that develops a smart condition monitoring platform for rotating machines. The startup’s wireless, non-invasive device plugs into moving machines and collects high-resolution data to monitor them. The solution covers process manufacturing, utilities, and energy applications, as well as identifies faults before machines break down.

 

Ioticiti – Fleet Management

Fleet management solutions aim at minimizing machines’ mileage for the maximum profit and cost savings. M2M-based platforms connect vehicles in a fleet to automate dispatch and performance monitoring. Moreover, they transmit vehicular information in real-time, a feature that helps greatly in case of any accidents or failures for a fast response.

Canadian startup Ioticiti uses the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to build a fleet management product. The startup’s solution equips vehicles with a M2M connectivity platform to map and manage unload wait-times and optimize product deliveries. The solutions can be applies in the construction, cold-chain, and waste management industries.

 

RoboticsX – Digital Factory

Most industrial processes require humans to operate or automate a single task at a time. Moreover, data generated from a machine generally stays within it. This leads to frequent downtimes, continuous delays, and redundant processes. M2M communication enables interoperability among machines and devices in smart factories.

RoboticsX is a German startup that develops machine-to-machine solutions to empower digital factories. X1 Grid, their manufacturing software platform, transfers data from connected industrial devices to enterprise resource planning (ERP) programs in real-time to increase the efficiency of the factory. The platform also assists engineers in reconfiguring devices without programming.

 

Elemental Machines – Lab Of The Future

Nowadays science-based industries encounter unique challenges in enterprise asset management. For instance, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices and testing tools do not share a lot of data that is crucial for important production decisions. M2M-based solutions automate data collection and optimize R&D activities in multiple industries, such as materials, life sciences, manufacturing, and energy.

The US-based startup Elemental Machines provides M2M solutions for technology-based industries. Their product, Element-D, collects metadata from OEM devices to provide actionable insights about workflows, machine health, and capacity utilization. The startup also provides solutions for monitoring ambient temperature and environmental conditions in manufacturing facilities and containers.

 

Weeve – Machine Economy

Machine economy involves networked and autonomous machines acting without the need for human intervention. It combines machine learning and M2M interactions to improve operational processes and attain higher production efficiency. This saves costs in hiring human labor needed to monitor systems for maintenance in Industry 4.0.

German startup Weeve offers solutions that bring the benefits of the machine-to-machine economy to the Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Their product, WeeveMQ, uses the patent-pending MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTTS) protocol for secure M2M, particularly for cases where battery life or computational resources pose a limitation. Additionally, the IoT Wallet, another product from Weeve, facilitates payments between connected IoT devices.

 

What About The Other 384 Solutions?

While we believe data is key to creating insights it can be easy to be overwhelmed by it. Our ambition is to create a comprehensive overview and provide actionable innovation intelligence so you can achieve your goals faster. The 5 machine-to-machine startups showcased above are promising examples out of 389 we analyzed for this article.

 

reposted from https://bit.ly/3dh3ysi

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SecondHands is the Robotic Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation project

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SecondHands is the robotic Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation project, with the aim to design a robot that can offer help to a maintenance technician in a pro-active manner. The project researchers and developers see this robot as a second pair of hands that can assist the technician when he/she is in need of help. To operate within environments designed primarily for industrial efficiency, but centered around a human workforce, a robot should possess a rich repertoire of human-like skills, and probably a humanoid or human-like form, specifically in order to use the same methods of access.

The project revolves around four fundamental concepts:

  • the design of a new robotic assistant;
  • a knowledge base to facilitate proactive help;
  • a high degree of human-robot interaction;
  • advanced perception skills to function in a highly dynamic industrial environment.

SecondHands aimed to develop a robot assistant that is trained to understand maintenance tasks so that it can either pro-actively, or as a result of prompting, offer assistance to automation maintenance technicians performing routine and preventative maintenance. Conceptually the robot’s task is to provide a second pair of hands to the maintenance technician, such that once the robot has been trained, it can predict when it can usefully provide help and knows which actions to take to provide it.

In general, industrial automation is designed to incorporate as little flexibility as necessary to perform its core function – the basic concept of a production line. In an industrial environment, flexibility is traded for simplicity and repeatability in order to leverage efficiency. However, even these simple and efficient automated systems still require maintenance, as they cannot maintain themselves. The industrial sites that house these systems are often designed with only secondary consideration given to maintenance tasks and the necessary access by a human. There is usually no consideration of enabling an access to a robot.

The project was developed under the auspices of a consortium of researchers and computer scientists from a number of organizations, including Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL); Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT); Sapienza, University of Rome; University College London (UCL); and Ocado Technology, the technology division of the U.K.’s online-only grocery giant Ocado.

More project information on the Secon Hands project web site here https://secondhands.eu

Project Video Url on YouTube https://youtu.be/-KF5XSSTn_o

Second Hands YouTube Playlist https://secondhands.eu/index.php/gallery/

Slides summarizing the project objectives https://secondhands.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/SecondHands_ERF_Vienna_2015_WithLogos.pdf

More showcases from the trials can be found here https://venturebeat.com/2020/05/05/eu-robotics-project-gives-maintenance-workers-a-second-pair-of-hands/

Virtual Transnational Project Meeting on 12th of May

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A Virtual Transnational Project Meeting was held on 12th of May via GoToMeeting platform. Despite the pandemic crisis of Covid-19, NEW-METRO project carries on its activities and all the partners expressed their gladness to meet again. 

The issues discussed included the maximization of the utilization of IO3 and IO4 in view of the WP5 Piloting Phase, identifying the required Mechatronic competences and designing the delivery model and components. Afterward, the partners exchanged point of views on a shared plan of activities focusing on Project Management and Quality Assurance. The web meeting successfully accomplished its goals arranging the following actions for the next meeting including Stakeholders. The participants exchanged courtesies and their dearest wishes for health and… “Stay Safe!”.

Reskilling-workforces-to-emerge-from-COVID-19-crisis

Reskilling workforces to emerge from COVID-19 crisis

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COVID-19 has forced many workers to review ways of collaborating with their companies, and managers are finding that, after an adaptation period, this could be confirmed in the long run.

Although this evolution of the way of working was in place even before the current crisis, thanks to the possibilities dictated by technological innovations, the pandemic has accelerated the process. Leaders are now called upon to understand how to reposition the workforce for these changes.

According to an analysis by McKinsey, there are six steps that companies can follow to retrain their staff:

1) quickly identify the skills that are missing and that will serve to re-emerge: it is crucial to map the necessary value drivers and the key roles that need to be retrained, what changes in activities, behaviour and skills are required.

2) develop the skills of the employees for the new business model: the first step is to build a set of skills and a tool kit that will be useful regardless of the specific role of an employee, focusing more on the digital, cognitive, social and adaptability areas.

3) start tailor-made learning paths: with the evolution of the operating model, it is essential to iterate the strategic planning of the workforce to determine the right skills to be developed quickly and on time.

4) initiate, test and correct the aim: the mere fact of starting learning paths makes companies more aware of needs, allows them to test the effectiveness of courses and new skills to mature and improve the quality of training.

5) act as a small company: research shows that small companies (with less than a thousand employees) have greater ease of introducing training innovations and retraining their staff, thanks to their flexibility and a clearer vision of the needs, which allows him to reason faster on priorities.

6) protect the learning budget: use the training budget to enhance skills a key strategic lever to adapt to the next normal. Make training more digital and more accessible to your employees. If necessary, it also uses external training partners.

As evident most of the issues raised by McKinsey apply very well to the activity the NewMetro Consortium is carrying out. The implementation of the Project, which includes as fundamental input the cooperation with all Stakeholders, industries and relevant associations in particular, will be of tremendous impact to solve many of the matters analysed there.

You can read the entire McKinsey study here.

 

Source: https://mck.co/3fVs3wV

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Cancel the 5th International Conference MECHATRONICS: Ideas for Industrial Applications

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In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Organizing Committee of the 5th International Conference MECHATRONICS: Ideas for Industrial Applications has made the decision to cancel the conference within 9-10 September 2020. We made this very difficult but necessary decision to ensure the safety and health of all potential participants during the serious COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.

Equally importantly, by the end of May 2021, we will notify you of the new date and venue of the conference and the updated schedule, including the opportunity to submit abstracts and articles.

While we deeply regret any inconvenience caused by the cancellation of the conference, we will try to make the postponement another opportunity to make the conference more fruitful and successful. At the same time, we hope that you will be able to join us on the new date. Therefore, we would like to ask for further interest and active participation.

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Duty. Devotion. Donation. The 3D printers in the battle with the invisible enemy.

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The academic community of Informatics and Telecommunication Department, University of Ioannina could not stay aloof to the everyday battle that the hospital personnel is giving against COVID-19. With an absolute sense of responsibility and inspired by a sense of solidarity, University of Ioannina participates in the mobilization that latterly takes place by many research organizations in the direction of producing useful sanitary material, utilizing the resources and equipment of its laboratories.

A group of professors, PhD candidates and students of the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications give an everyday battle with time, utilizing 3D printers, resources and other infrastructures of the Department for production of adequate number of protecting masks, which are granted for the needs of University Hospital of Ioannina and other regional hospitals. 

In the time being, the estimated daily production is about 16-20 masks and further improvements will be held in the near future in order to maximize the daily production rate. Being an ongoing process and under the state of time pressure, continuing upgrading of printing parameters and materials design are inevitable in the direction of saving time. 

Moreover, the prospect of printing other disposable materials, which probably will be in shortage in case the number of people affected by coronavirus increases in the region is examined in collaboration with the University Hospital of Ioannina and the Pulmonary Clinic.

It is the Department’s deep belief that Research, Technical Knowledge and Technology that academic institutions hold should be provided to the community’s disposal to cater its needs and contribute to its wellbeing, much more when times and circumstances call for it.

European Union to digitize the public administration

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The development of digital technologies will represent enormous growth opportunities for the European Union.

According to a recent study by McKinsey, the European Commission in its digital strategy 2020 will allocate investments in AI development of over 20 billion euros per year until 2030, compared to 3.2 billion euros in 2016.

With the advancement of digital technologies, the expectations of businesses and citizens have also increased. However, McKinsey’s analysis shows a lack of digital and technological skills so that the public administration can respond to the need.

McKinsey has classified the critical skills needed in the public sector on three dimensions: technological skills, skills on digital citizenship (for example, digital literacy) and traditional skills (such as problem-solving). And these skills are amongst the ones that the New Metro project is focusing onto.

 

As for technological skills, 1.7 million additional employees will be needed. Besides, the public sector will also have to step up efforts to develop digital citizenship skills significantly. Consequently the proper educational path is required across Europe.

Finally, some traditional skills such as problem solving and creativity, will retain or increase their importance, requiring further development.

To bridge the skills gap and operate in the future in an increasingly digitized and automated world, governments will need to focus on three main activities: recruiting, upskilling and re-skilling. These too are all elements which New Metro is taking into deep consideration.

Recruiting

Improving existing recruitment practices in the public sector will significantly contribute to bridging the future skills gap. It is especially true of highly specialized technical skills such as blockchain development and sophisticated analysis of the data that drives the digital economy. In the current crisis, the public sector could emphasize its appeal to digital specialists by leveraging its skills for the common interest.

Upskilling

All employees should receive regular training to develop their digital citizenship skills and traditional skills.

Governments could complement existing in-person training programs with flexible and scalable e-learning formats to offer more widely accessible training for necessary digital skills, such as digital literacy and collaboration.

Re-skilling

Governments must systematically evaluate which public sector jobs will be most affected by digitization and automation so that they can offer re-skilling.

Since there is greater complexity in terms of re-skilling than upskilling, external partnerships with universities, employment agencies, and other educational institutions will be crucial for the development of adequate training platforms for employees.

You can read the entire McKinsey study here.

Source: https://mck.co/3dba7vW 

Coronavirus: Italian 3D printers convert a snorkelling mask into a respirator.

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After the 3D printed respiratory valves discussed in another of our posts, an Italian company specialized in 3D printing, has found a way to convert a scuba diving mask into a respirator.

The idea initially flashed to a doctor, became a prototype in seven days, and named “Charlotte Valve”.

The company relaizing it says: «We contacted a well-known sports apparel company, and in a short time, as the creator, manufacturer, and distributor of the Easybreath snorkeling mask, the company immediately became available to collaborate by providing the CAD drawing of the mask we had identified. The product was dismantled, studied, and the changes to be made were evaluated. The new component for the connection to the respirator was then designed and printed in a short time via 3D printing. The prototype as a whole has been tested on one of our colleagues directly at the Chiari Hospital, hooking it to the respirator body, and has proven to be correctly working. “

The mask can be connected directly to oxygen via the wall socket and is useful in emergency rooms, where patients remain for three days waiting for a bed.

They continue: «Anyone can print it for free, provided it is not used for commercial purposes». The Charlotte valve has in fact been patented to avoid any speculation on the price of the component. Still, this patent will remain free to use because the goal is that all hospitals in need can take advantage of it. The company decided to freely share the file for the realization of the fitting in 3D printing.

However, it should be noted that neither the mask nor the valve connection is certified and their use is subject to a situation of mandatory necessity.

The mechatronics technologies at the basis of such implementation are a clear demonstration of how important they are not only in emergency situations like these but in our everyday life and for a myriad of industrial applications and products.

 

source: https://bit.ly/2WfHp6p