A simple internet search reveals several reported cases where the cars have made errors in identifying objects on the road. For instance, a Tesla car mistook an image of a stop sign on a billboard for the real thing and confused the yellow moon with a yellow traffic light.

There have also been numerous recent examples of problems with the “robotaxis” operating in San Francisco. It raises questions about whether the technology that enables vehicles to operate autonomously is ready for the real world.

The driving force behind self-driving vehicles is artificial intelligence (AI), yet current algorithms lack the human-like understanding and reasoning necessary for context when driving. This includes advanced contextual reasoning for interpreting complex visual cues such as obscured objects, and inferring unseen elements in the environment.

Social interaction

Furthermore, these vehicles must be capable of counterfactual reasoning –evaluating hypothetical scenarios and predicting potential outcomes. This is a crucial skill for decision making in dynamic driving situations.

For instance, when an autonomous vehicle (AV) approaches a busy intersection with traffic lights, it must not only obey the current traffic signals but also predict the actions of other road users and consider how those might change under different circumstances.

An example of this scenario is provided by a 2017 accident in which an Uber robotaxi drove through a yellow light in Arizona in 2017 and collided with another car. At the time, there were questions about whether a human driver would have approached the situation differently.

Additionally, social interaction – an area where humans excel and robots falter – is essential. For example, on urban roads with cars parked along both sides, it’s not always clear who has the right of way and we use social skills to negotiate a fair way to proceed.

At roundabouts, it’s common for several cars to arrive at once, making it unclear who has right of way. Again, social skills allow drivers to safely pull onto the roundabout.

To ensure seamless coexistence with AI-driven cars, we urgently need to develop groundbreaking algorithms capable of human-like thinking, social interaction, adaptation to new situations and learning with experience. Such algorithms would enable AI systems to comprehend nuanced human driver behaviour, react to unforeseen road conditions, prioritise decision making that factors in human values, and interact socially with other road users.

As we integrate AI-driven vehicles into existing traffic, the kinds of standards we’ve been using to assess and validate the success of autonomous driving systems will become insufficient. There is a pressing need for new standards and mechanisms to assess the capabilities of these driverless cars.

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Specific uses

These new protocols should provide more rigorous testing and validation methods, ensuring that AI-driven vehicles meet the highest standards of safety, performance and interoperability (where AI systems from different manufacturers can work “understand” and work together). In doing so, they will establish a foundation for a safer, more harmonious traffic environment where driverless and human-driven cars mix.

It would be a mistake to write off fully self-driving cars, even without the developments which are needed. There is still a place for them, albeit not as ubiquitously as the rapid spread of Tesla vehicles might indicate. We’ll initially need them for specific uses such as autonomous shuttles and highway driving. Alternatively, they could be used in special environments with their own dedicated infrastructure.

For instance, autonomous buses could drive a predefined route with a dedicated lane. Autonomous trucks could also have a separate lane on motorways. However, it’s crucial that uses focus on benefiting the entire community, not just a specific – usually wealthy – group in society.

To ensure autonomous vehicles are well integrated on our roads, we’ll need a diverse groups of experts to enter into a dialogue. These include car manufacturers, policymakers, computer scientists, human and social behaviour scientists and engineers and governmental bodies, among others.

They must come together to address the current challenges. This collaboration should aim to create a robust framework that accounts for the complexity and variability of real-world driving scenarios.

It would involve developing industry-wide safety protocols and standards, shaped by input from all people with a stake in the matter and ensuring these standards can evolve as the technology advances.

The collaborative effort would also need to create open channels for sharing data and insights from real-world testing and simulations. It must also foster public trust through transparency and demonstrate the reliability and safety of AI systems in autonomous vehicles.

Author: Prof Saber Fallah, Director of Connected Autonomous Vehicles Lab at the University of Surrey, University of Surrey

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

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The transportation and logistics industry is a critical component of the global economy. In recent years, companies in this industry have adopted advanced technologies to optimise their operations and reduce costs. One such technology is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is becoming increasingly popular in predictive maintenance. Predictive maintenance involves using data to identify when equipment is likely to fail, allowing for repairs to be made before a breakdown occurs. This article will explore how AI is used in predictive maintenance for transport and logistics equipment, its benefits to the industry, and its challenges and limitations.

The Importance of Predictive Maintenance in Transport and Logistics

Predictive maintenance is crucial in the transportation and logistics industry. This is because equipment failures can have significant consequences, such as delays, increased costs, and even accidents.

Transport and logistics equipment refers to a wide range of vehicles, machinery, and other assets used in the transportation and logistics industry. This can include trucks, trailers, trains, cargo ships, aeroplanes, forklifts, cranes, and conveyor systems, among others.

These assets play a critical role in moving goods and people from one place to another, and they are subject to wear and tear over time. The failure of one of these assets can cause delays, accidents, and other issues that can impact the efficiency and profitability of a company’s operations.

Traditionally, maintenance has been carried out based on a fixed schedule, regardless of whether or not the equipment requires it. This approach can be costly and inefficient since maintenance is carried out whether or not it is necessary. On the other hand, predictive maintenance involves analysing data from the equipment to determine when maintenance is needed. This approach can help companies save money by reducing the frequency of unnecessary maintenance and minimising the risk of equipment failure.

For example, in the case of trucks and trailers, AI-based predictive maintenance systems can monitor factors such as tire pressure, brake wear, engine performance, and fuel consumption to identify potential issues before they become serious. This can help companies optimise their maintenance schedules, reduce repair costs, and ensure that their fleets are operating safely and efficiently.

In the case of cargo ships, mechanical failures can cause delays in the delivery of goods, resulting in financial losses for both the shipping company and the recipient. AI-based predictive maintenance systems can monitor factors such as engine performance, hull corrosion, and ballast water management to identify potential issues that could impact the vessel’s safety or efficiency. By identifying these issues early, companies can schedule maintenance activities and avoid costly downtime or safety incidents.

In the case of airports, AI-based predictive maintenance systems can monitor factors such as runway surface conditions, aircraft fuelling systems, baggage handling systems, and air traffic control systems to identify potential issues before they impact operations. This can help companies optimise their maintenance schedules, reduce downtime, and ensure that their operations are running smoothly. For commercial aircraft, for example, maintenance issues can cause flight cancellations or delays, resulting in lost revenue and reduced customer satisfaction.

Predictive maintenance using AI can help companies address these issues by analysing data from sensors and other sources to predict when equipment will likely fail. This allows companies to schedule maintenance activities proactively, reducing downtime and the risk of unexpected failures.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Predictive Maintenance

AI technology allows machines to learn and make decisions based on data. In the context of predictive maintenance, AI can analyse large amounts of data from sensors and other sources to identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate impending equipment failure. AI algorithms can also be used to predict the remaining useful life of the equipment and recommend maintenance actions based on the data.

There are several ways in which AI can be used in predictive maintenance for transport and logistics equipment. These include:

1. Predicting equipment failures

AI can be used to analyse data from sensors on equipment to identify patterns that may indicate an impending failure. For example, if a sensor detects an increase in vibration or temperature, this could be a sign that the equipment is about to fail. AI algorithms can analyse this data and predict when maintenance is needed before a failure occurs.

2. Recommending maintenance actions

AI algorithms can also recommend specific maintenance actions based on the data. For example, if a sensor detects wear on a particular component, the AI can recommend replacing or repairing the part. This can help companies prioritise maintenance activities and ensure that the most critical components are addressed first.

3. Optimizing maintenance schedules

AI can also be used to optimise maintenance schedules based on the data. This involves analysing the data to determine when maintenance is most likely needed and scheduling it accordingly. This approach can help companies reduce downtime and improve the overall efficiency of their operations.

Benefits of Using AI in Predictive Maintenance for Transport and Logistics Equipment

There are several benefits to using AI in predictive maintenance for transport and logistics equipment. These include:

1. Reduced downtime

By predicting equipment failures before they occur, AI can help companies reduce downtime and minimise the impact of maintenance activities on their operations. This can result in increased productivity and reduced costs.

2. Improved safety

AI can also improve safety by identifying potential equipment failures before they occur. This can help prevent accidents and reduce the risk of injuries to personnel.

3. Increased efficiency

By optimising maintenance schedules and prioritising maintenance activities, AI can help companies improve the overall efficiency of their operations. This can result in increased throughput and reduced costs.

4. Cost savings

By reducing downtime, improving safety, and increasing efficiency, AI can help companies save money. Predictive maintenance can also help companies avoid the cost of replacing equipment that has failed prematurely. In addition, by identifying potential problems before they occur, companies can schedule maintenance activities and replace components before they fail, saving money in the long run.

5. Better decision-making

AI algorithms can provide companies with valuable insights into their operations, enabling better decision-making. For example, by analysing data from equipment, companies can identify areas where they can improve efficiency or reduce costs.

Challenges and Limitations of Using AI in Predictive Maintenance

Despite the many benefits of using AI in predictive maintenance, there are also challenges and limitations that companies need to be aware of. These include:

1. Data quality

The quality of the data used to train AI algorithms is crucial. If the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the AI may not be able to predict equipment failures accurately. Therefore, companies must ensure that their data is high quality and covers a sufficient period for accurate predictions.

2. Cost

Implementing AI-based predictive maintenance systems can be costly, particularly for smaller companies. High upfront costs may be associated with acquiring the necessary hardware and software and ongoing maintenance costs.

3. Expertise

Developing and implementing AI-based predictive maintenance systems requires expertise in both AI and maintenance. As a result, companies may need to hire additional staff or outsource these services to experts to ensure the system is effective.

4. Integration

Integrating AI-based predictive maintenance systems with existing systems can be challenging. Companies may need to make significant changes to their existing infrastructure to ensure the system can be implemented effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, AI is becoming increasingly crucial in predictive maintenance for transport and logistics equipment. By analysing data from sensors and other sources, AI algorithms can predict equipment failures, recommend maintenance actions, and optimise maintenance schedules. The benefits of using AI in predictive maintenance include reduced downtime, improved safety, increased efficiency, cost savings, and better decision-making. However, there are also challenges and limitations associated with implementing these systems, including data quality, cost, expertise, and integration. Therefore, companies considering AI-based predictive maintenance systems must consider these factors carefully before proceeding.

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Over the last few decades, robotics has revolutionised the manufacturing industry. From the production of cars to electronics, robots have played a significant role in streamlining manufacturing processes, improving product quality, and reducing costs. With the advancements in robotics technology and the emergence of new trends, the future of robotics in manufacturing looks promising. This article will explore the future of robotics in manufacturing and its impact on the industry.

Collaborative Robots

Collaborative robots, or cobots, are a new trend in robotics designed to work alongside human workers. These robots have sensors that allow them to detect and adapt to their environment, making them ideal for various manufacturing tasks. Cobots are also designed to be safe to work with, as they can detect and respond to human presence in their workspace.

The future of collaborative robots in manufacturing is bright. These robots will allow manufacturers to automate various tasks that were previously difficult or impossible to automate. For example, cobots can work with humans to assemble small parts or perform quality control inspections. They can also work in hazardous environments, such as chemical plants or nuclear facilities, where human workers may be at risk.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are technologies that are rapidly advancing and have the potential to revolutionise the manufacturing industry. AI and ML can analyse data and make predictions, allowing manufacturers to optimise their processes, reduce waste, and improve quality.

In the future, AI and ML will be used to create more intelligent robots. These robots will be able to learn and adapt to new situations, making them more efficient and effective in their tasks. For example, robots equipped with AI and ML can detect product defects and adjust their manufacturing process to prevent those defects from occurring in the future.

3D Printing

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a technology that allows manufacturers to create complex parts and prototypes quickly and easily. 3D printers build objects layer by layer, using materials such as plastics, metals, and ceramics.

In the future, 3D printing will continue to play a significant role in manufacturing. This technology will allow manufacturers to create more complex parts and prototypes faster, reducing the time it takes to bring a product to market. Additionally, 3D printing will enable manufacturers to develop customised products for individual customers, making it easier to meet the market’s demands.

Autonomous Mobile Robots

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are a new trend in robotics designed to work independently without human intervention. These robots are equipped with sensors and cameras to navigate a facility and perform various tasks, such as moving materials or performing inspections.

In the future, AMRs will automate more manufacturing processes, improving efficiency and reducing costs. For example, AMRs can transport materials and parts between different production lines, reducing the need for human workers to perform these tasks. AMRs can also be used to perform inspections, reducing the need for human workers to perform manual checks.

The Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interconnected devices that can communicate with each other and exchange data. In the manufacturing industry, IoT devices can monitor machines and equipment, allowing manufacturers to detect and fix problems before they become significant.

In the future, IoT devices will be used to create more intelligent manufacturing processes. For example, IoT devices can be used to monitor the performance of robots, detect product defects, and adjust the manufacturing process to prevent those defects from occurring in the future. Additionally, IoT devices can be used to optimise supply chain processes, reducing waste and improving efficiency.

Challenges

As with any new technology, there are challenges that manufacturers will need to overcome. One of the biggest challenges is the cost of adopting these new technologies. While the price of robotics has decreased in recent years, it can still be expensive for smaller manufacturers to adopt these technologies. Additionally, human workers may need to retrain to work alongside and operate and maintain these new robots.

Another challenge is the potential impact of automation on employment. As more tasks become automated, there is a risk of job displacement for human workers. Therefore, it will be necessary for manufacturers to consider the impact of automation on their workforce and to develop strategies to ensure that human workers are included in transitioning to a more automated manufacturing industry.

Conclusion

The future of robotics in manufacturing looks bright, with new technologies and trends emerging that will continue to revolutionise the industry. Collaborative robots, artificial intelligence and machine learning, 3D printing, autonomous mobile robots, and the Internet of Things are all trends that will continue to shape the industry in the coming years.

By adopting these technologies, manufacturers can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality. Additionally, these technologies will make it easier for manufacturers to meet the demands of an ever-changing market, allowing them to create customised products and respond quickly to changing consumer preferences.

One of the most significant benefits of robotics in manufacturing is the ability to automate previously difficult or impossible tasks. This can include functions too dangerous for human workers, such as working with hazardous chemicals or in extreme temperatures. It can also include functions that are too repetitive or require high levels of precision, such as assembling small parts or performing quality control inspections.

In addition to automation, robotics in manufacturing can also improve product quality and reduce costs. Robots can perform tasks with high precision, ensuring products meet strict quality standards. They can also work around the clock, reducing the time it takes to manufacture a product and improving overall efficiency.

Overall, the future of robotics in manufacturing looks promising, with new technologies and emerging trends that will continue to improve manufacturing processes efficiency, quality, and safety. As these technologies continue to advance and become more widely adopted, we can expect significant changes in how products are manufactured and delivered to customers. Manufacturers who embrace these changes and adopt new technologies will be better equipped to compete in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

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Cocoa bean drying

If you’re looking to dry your cocoa beans, there are a few options. You can dry them in the sun, which is quite popular in many countries. When drying cocoa beans in the sun, you should hang them from trees or other structures and ensure they’re not touching each other—this will allow for air circulation and help prevent mould growth.

A more modern approach uses a kiln designed explicitly for drying cocoa beans. These are often heated by gas or oil, but coal is sometimes used as an energy source.

Another way that’s becoming increasingly popular is using a drum dryer—circulating warm air over large drums filled with dried cocoa bean pods at high speeds (often 1.5 meters per second).

Pulverisation

Pulverisation is the process of breaking down a solid into a powder. This can be done in several ways, but it usually involves grinding the solid into smaller pieces with a grinder. The grinder can be stone-based (a stone mill), ball-shaped (a ball mill), or roller-based (a roller mill).

Cocoa mass production

Cocoa mass (also called chocolate liquor or cocoa paste) is the main ingredient in creating chocolate. Making cocoa mass involves removing the fat from cocoa beans and grinding them into powder. This can be done using a hydraulic press, but it’s often done by machine.

The resulting substance is a thick liquid with many uses for making different types of chocolate. It can also be used as an ingredient in other products like the hot cocoa mix, cake frosting and ice cream topping!

Cocoa powder production

Cocoa powder is made by pressing the cocoa mass. The cocoa mass is pressed to remove most of the cocoa butter, leaving behind a dry powder. Then, the remaining powder is sifted and graded for different uses.

Conching

Conching is a process that improves the texture of chocolate by mixing and grinding the chocolate. It can take up to 72 hours, but this is part of why it’s so important: it helps develop the flavour of chocolate. Conching machines are used to mix and grind the chocolate, which leads to more complex flavours being created as well as improved texture.

The most common type is an open-air conching machine because it allows airflow around the product being processed (i.e., your delicious treat). The other type is a closed system because it has no contact with air from outside sources; instead, everything stays inside, where you can watch your food get amazing!

Refining

Refining is the process of removing the remaining fat and sugar from the cocoa mass. The resulting powder is cocoa liquor, which is then dried to make cocoa butter.

The refining process consists of three steps: mixing, pressing and drying.

Tempering and moulding

Tempering chocolate is a process that involves heating and cooling chocolate to form a smooth, shiny appearance. Tempered chocolate has better gloss, snap and sheen than untempered or “bloomed” (underheated) chocolate. You can use tempered chocolate to make moulded decorations for cakes or other desserts and shape chocolate bars like truffles or candy-coated almonds.

Conclusion

The steps above are high-level, but to recap, chocolate is made using various technologies from cocoa beans, which are harvested, pre-cleaned and dried before being pulverised into cocoa mass. The mass is then refined by adding alkali to remove the fatty acids and produce cocoa butter, sugar and other components. The remaining solids are called chocolate liquor or Massa cacao. Tempering is a process that improves the quality of chocolate by giving it a shiny appearance and helping it to melt at body temperature; this reduces its sensitivity to heat fluctuations during storage. Moulding involves filling a mould with chocolate, which is then smoothed over using a spatula and left to set; this process can be carried out manually or using machinery such as automatic confectionery machines.

Food processing is an essential part of our lives. It helps us to get fresh food and also reduces the amount of waste we produce. There are many different types of food processing technologies which are used today. Still, some stand out from the rest because they have been around for so long or because they have been perfected over time by scientists and engineers who have studied them closely. These include pasteurisation, freezing, dehydration and freeze-drying, which are all processes that ensure food has a longer shelf life without compromising on taste or nutritional value.

Next time you pick up that bar, reflect on the chocolate journey.

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Nigeria has pumped more than US$8 billion into Ajaokuta Steel Company, a project which began more than 40 years ago but has yet to produce one tonne of steel.

Several attempts have been made to bring the plant into production, but without success. It was built to 98% capacity by the Soviet Union’s Tyazpromoexport. But the lack of a rail line around the plant, and changes in political and operational management over the years, stymied completion.

Bilateral discussions in 2019 raised the possibility of Russian funding to resuscitate the steel plant, but the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine crisis may have stalled any unofficial agreements.

Another problem for the plant is that some of its installed equipment may have been corroded and degraded by now.

Steel corrodes quickly in acidic environments. Consumer-grade steel and other iron-rich metals can develop iron oxide (or rust) after just four or five days of exposure. Corrosion of parts has been reported by a team of Nigerian and Ukrainian experts auditing the plant.

Still, the Nigerian federal government is now having yet another go. It is looking for a core investor that can get it running profitably on a concession basis.

The cost of revamping the steel company was put at $1.4 billion in 2020.

Instead of concessioning, we propose remanufacturing as a way of rescuing the plant. Remanufacturing
is an industrial process whereby used or broken down products or components are restored to useful life.

Based on our research, we argue that remanufacturing’s economic, social and environmental advantages would solve the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited problem, make it competitive, meet contemporary demands of sustainable manufacturing and get it operational.

Nigerian demand for steel

Ajaokuta Steel was conceived in 1958 to meet Nigeria’s steel demand and launch Nigeria’s and West Africa’s manufacturing sector. The idea of a large-scale national steel production plant was based on the argument that no country could talk about power status or the defence of national interests without its own steel industry.

Nigeria had a fast growing population, with rising demand for manufactured goods. A number of manufacturing industries sprang up in the 1960s and the 1970s. Local demand for steel products was about 3.5 million tonnes a year between 1985 and 1995, the bulk of which could only be met through imports.

The manufacturing industry grew from 9% in 1985 to 19% in 1995, encouraging government’s industrialisation drive.

Challenges of concessioning

As to how to meet that demand, a concessioning agreement for a steel plant presents some key challenges.

Although the concession may put the steel plant into the hands of a competent investor, it is only for 10 years. Then legal challenges may arise. The most recent operator, an Indian company called Global Steel Holdings Limited, had its 10-year concession agreement revoked by the Nigerian government and the matter ended in an out-of-court settlement in 2016.

A concession agreement with foreign operators cannot guarantee the involvement of local human resources, which Nigeria’s manufacturing desperately needs.

Remanufacturing inputs

A major challenge of reviving the Ajaokuta Steel plant is that much of its equipment is in a broken-down state.

We argue that remanufacturing could restore the equipment and get it working. It could also develop the local capacity for remanufacturing among Nigerians.

Remanufacturing is an industrial process of steps that make make a used product as good as new. It is a key circular economy strategy.

Broken-down parts are referred to as “cores”. They are passed through a number of standardised remanufacturing operations – inspection, sorting, disassembly, part reprocessing or refurbishment, reassembly and testing – to ensure they meet product standards.

The resulting output is a product which meets or exceeds the quality and performance standards of a newly manufactured product.

Studies suggest that remanufacturing can save up to 50% of the cost of a newly manufactured product, 60% of the energy, 70% of the material and 80% of the air pollutant emissions.

Remanufacturing is labour intensive, so it can support new jobs and other jobs in the supply chain, such as transporting cores from the original manufacturers or disposal site to the remanufacturer’s site.

The UN Environmental Programme has studied how remanufacturing can retain value, finding that it can reduce new material requirements by between 80% and 98% and increase skilled labour hours by up to 120%.

Nigeria does engage in some remanufacturing, for example remanufacturing of medical devices, but it is largely unorganised and driven by small, independent operators.

What makes remanufacturing ideal for Ajaokuta

For remanufacturing to happen, cores must be available. It must be possible to disassemble the cores. And there must be labour and access to customers.

We have assessed the challenge with the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and concluded that the barriers to remanufacturing can be overcome.

First, the broken-down components in the steel facility form the remanufacturing cores.

Most of these mechanical components (gearboxes, conveyor belts, cranes, blast furnace) can be disassembled and remanufactured.

The steel plant would serve as the original equipment manufacturer (and customer) and a supply route could be created using the road networks around Ajaokuta, where the plant is located. A long term transport system should include a rail line to enable access to coal sites, for instance.

Nigeria has a young population which could provide the unskilled and skilled labour for remanufacturing.

How to revive the steel plant

For effective engineering management, we propose that Tyazpromoexport, the Russian company that first installed the Ajaokuta Steel plant, should work with Nigerian engineers to remanufacture the plant. The same company has successfully installed steel plants in Egypt, Algeria, Pakistan and India.

We recommend the following broad steps:

• audit and assess worn-out and broken-down components
• determine what can be remanufactured and at what cost
• assess supporting stakeholders: independent remanufacturers, local routes, raw materials, facilities and labour
• remanufacture identified parts
• procure parts that can’t be remanufactured
• install remanufactured and newly procured parts.

We understand that Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited faces other challenges. They include the politicisation of the steel project, the Russia and Ukraine crisis and the resulting geopolitical fall-out.

However, with over $8 billion already invested, zero production and the corroding of the facility, there is a need to urgently revive the steel complex.

Remanufacturing presents an excellent opportunity to resuscitate it in a green, efficient and sustainable manner.

Authors: Okechukwu Okorie, Lecturer in Sustainable Manufacturing, University of Exeter and Nnaemeka Vincent Emodi, Research Fellow, The University of Queensland

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

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Tombra, her son, was hospitalised with jaundice, a disorder that affects more than 60% of infants globally. Many cases are minor and go away independently, but more severe cases necessitate phototherapy, which involves exposing newborns to blue light.

Not seeking treatment on time might result in permanent health issues such as hearing impairment, vision impairment, brain damage, and cerebral palsy. It can, in rare situations, result in death. Tombra’s health was critical, and no phototherapy devices were accessible, so his family had to wait four hours as his condition worsened. He was eventually given an immediate blood transfusion, a dangerous procedure that bought him time until a phototherapy device could be found. During Tombra’s seven-day therapy, Oboro said she had to buy the bulb herself, and the shortage of power supply caused the unit to be turned off for several hours. Despite the several challenges, her kid, who is now six years old, has recovered fully.

Oboro created the Crib A’Glow in response to a new initiative to prevent newborns from developing jaundice: a portable, affordable, solar-powered phototherapy device that uses blue LED light to treat jaundice.

In 2016, immediately after Tombra’s recovery, Oboro launched Tiny Hearts and began creating phototherapy cribs. After so many rejections of usage from different hospitals in Nigeria due to the belief that “it was invented in Nigeria, it won’t work”. Despite these obstacles, over 500 hospitals in Nigeria and Ghana are already using the cribs to treat over 300,000 babies. According to Oboro, the company hopes to expand into different nations in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Her collaborations with remote health workers and education initiatives have helped another 200,000 newborns by educating mothers about jaundice’s symptoms, including yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes, and lips. According to Oboro, demand for cribs increased during the Covid-19 outbreak, as many parents sought to avoid hospitals and care for their newborns at home. The team is developing protective eyewear that will allow babies to be blindfolded securely during phototherapy.

Tiny Hearts isn’t the only startup working to enhance infant jaundice treatment. Little Sparrows Technologies in the United States has developed the portable “BiliHut,” which similarly employs high-intensity LEDs and can be used at home; D-Rev and Phoenix Medical Systems in India have developed a low-cost phototherapy light stand for developing markets.

Oboro considers Tombra’s survival “fortunate and grateful” and says it is now her goal to eradicate neonatal jaundice and “rescue a hundred and one more kids.”

The Tiny Hearts startup was created to provide a solution to infant jaundice through technology. Many babies suffer from immature livers, leading to countless deaths. The solar panel crib made by Tiny Hearts will help reduce many babies’ death rates and serve as extra equipment for Nigerian hospitals specialising in phototherapy.

Lessons For The Nigerian Tech Community

Without relying on other nations, the health sector needs to be infused with similar innovation, inventiveness, resiliency, and resourcefulness found in the broader tech industry. Additionally, the Nigerian tech community should be more dedicated to fostering greater awareness of and cooperation on initiatives to improve health in Nigeria. Users should also support these initiatives without prejudice because they were produced in Nigeria.

There are a lot of fascinating new advancements in Nigerian health, but there seems to be a gap between the technology and health sectors in terms of approach, language, and culture. It will take more collaboration to address the significant issues and realise the potential of innovators in both industries. Developing platforms that connect the innovators in health and technology and having a shared understanding of the difficulties are necessary to promote collaboration.

Lessons for Inventors

It’s easy to look around and identify issues that need to be resolved. Still, it requires a vision to take action and the capacity to develop novel solutions to healthcare issues burdening the communities. Inventors ought to be able to offer societal problems solutions that will benefit everyone, regardless of class. Due to her unpleasant experience with it and her determination to find a solution to a global issue despite the persecution she faced in her home country, Oboro was able to create the solar-powered crib that fights infant jaundice.

Some great inventions have emanated from the hardship or obstacles that would-be inventors have faced. Are you an aspiring inventor or a tech enthusiast? Look around you, reflect on your experiences, those areas where you may have been set back and consider what you could do to make things easier if you have to go through a similar situation or to make things easier for others. There is always a reasonable probability that others are going through similar challenges.

Final Words

As you step out as an inventor, believe in yourself, and find a problem worth solving but don’t just rush out, we suggest you do basic market research before you invest your money to ascertain who may be interested. If you can establish a reasonable initial interest, try and develop a prototype and test your idea in real life. Don’t forget to protect your idea, e.g. via patents. You can then either go into production or sell your idea for royalty.

This is a very high-level summary; please do your research. We wish you all the best.

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Nigeria must take steps to include 3D printing into science and engineering education.

3D printing is a technology that’s forecast to change the world. Already several fortune 500 companies – such as Siemens, General Electric, and Boeing – have invested in it.

3D printing mimics regular paper printing where a computer-aided designed part is sent to a printer for direct manufacture. Technically, this involves the digital data of a computer-aided 3D model design being sent to the printer which then produces the object layer-by-layer. The process enables the conversion of almost any virtual object into real parts.

In more developed countries, 3D printing is already being introduced into design workflows by several manufacturing giants. However, in less developed countries like Nigeria, little is known about vast aspects of the technology even in academic institutions.

In our study, we set out to investigate how well-versed people in Nigeria’s industrial and educational sectors were in the technology. We also wanted to assess whether it should be introduced to science and engineering education in the country. We took this approach because the growth of 3D printing in Nigeria is expected to affect manufacturing as well as the education sector.

We concluded from our research that the technology is lacking in the Nigerian industrial setting. We also found that it offers the opportunity for new teaching practices in science and engineering programs because it has the rare advantage of applying to anyone with a basic understanding of computer-aided design. This can range from senior secondary school students to university students and professionals.

The landscape

We surveyed over 60 participants from various universities and industries in Nigeria. We tested respondents on their awareness of the technology and its capabilities.

We found that over 90% of the participants had heard of 3D printing. But only 38% had a basic understanding of the technology. And only 12% indicated their ability to use fused deposition modelling, arguably the most popular 3D printing polymer technology.

The fact that so few people know how to use the technology isn’t surprising. Engagement with 3D printing in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector is low.

In 2017, Nigerian Foundries Limited, one of the leading ferrous foundries in Africa bought the largest 3D printer in West Africa from Titan Robotics. This printer is used to speed up the creation of a range of patterns needed for moulding and casting clients’ products.

But this is a rare example in the country.

Aside from awareness and a deficit in skills, adopting 3D printing has faced another major hurdle in Nigeria – the reliance on imports. Nigeria’s growing reliance on imported goods has hindered local content development and in turn, hindered localised manufacturing. Only a few well-established manufacturing companies are able to compete with importers.

3D printing offers itself as a convenient method of local manufacturing because it can be customised and has relatively low production outputs.

In the educational sector, we found that 3D printing efforts were less than average. A few universities boast of owning 3D printers. But these were often left idle in research centres, and out of the reach of students who will benefit from using them.

Some outliers, like the University of Lagos, said they’d received donations of 3D printing equipment. And they have gone ahead to set up hackathons for students.

These efforts are notable. But more is necessary to ensure students are adept with the technology. This will foster more robust research and general knowledge of 3D printing technologies within academic institutions and industries likewise.

Consequences

There are several consequences of low 3D printing adoption in Nigeria.

One is the skills gap between industry and university students. This gap progressively widens as technological advancements speed up. It makes it difficult for employers, ready to research and implement these emerging technologies, to find skilled and knowledgeable recruits.

On the flip side, the students skilled in 3D printing also face a lack of gainful employment because of the technology’s low-level adoption amongst manufacturing companies.

Ways to boost the 3D printing engagement

3D printing may continue to be sidelined in the industry until deliberate attempts are made to support local manufacturing – and limit importation.

Other great options the government should explore include loans to digital manufacturers, and awareness campaigns.

But possibly the biggest boost could come from introducing 3D printing in the educational sector and curriculum. This would afford high school and university students the opportunity to engage with the technology, improving their knowledge and cognitive skills.

Students in an academic setting could be given opportunities to perform projects and solve problems based on practical scenarios. Project-driven teams could be set up for research or student competition purposes.

3D printing could also be introduced in form of practical courses in a laboratory.

The government should also consider providing schools with facilities that encourage the adoption of 3D printing adoption. Examples include open access laboratories equipped with 3D printers and funding countrywide competitions that encourage manufacturing ideas.

These kinds of competition models have been successfully implemented in the US..

3D printing in the industry is virtually absent from Nigeria’s industrial sector. It’s also virtually absent as a subject in the education sector. One way to unleash its potential in the manufacturing sector would be to educate students. This can help students improve their skills and knowledge in advanced manufacturing thus making them more competitive in the industry.

It can also be a backbone for local manufacturing, encouraging individuals to develop startups with “homegrown” solutions.

Alex Inoma, a mechanical engineering student, co-authored this study.

Authors: Osezua Ibhadode, Research Assistant, University of Waterloo and Akii Ibhadode, Professor of Manufacturing, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

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The Nigerian transport, distribution and logistics industry has grown very slowly for so many years. However, it is expected to experience a 4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) growth. The slow growth that the industry has experienced in the past few years is mainly due to poor infrastructure and logistical issues. There are also issues relating to congestion on roads and delay in customs procedures.

As a result, in 2018, the country ranked 145 of 190 countries in the ease of doing business index and 112 in the 2018 Logistics Performance Index. The recent growth in the Nigerian logistics industry is sparked by significant infrastructural developments in Airways and Railways, growth in the e-commerce sector, developing export and manufacturing sector and improvement in ties with other countries.

Examples of the use of technology

There has been a steady rise in Nigeria’s logistics companies and ride-hailing apps. This rise is primarily related to the technologically induced growth that the e-commerce sector has experienced. It is now possible to track the location of goods on the move on mobile devices.

Different components of data warehousing, data mining, e-retailing and e-commerce, all essential operational elements for the logistics industry, are actively redefined by technology.

Benefits of technological development

Despite still being in its developmental stage in Nigeria, the logistics industry remains one of its fastest-growing industries. As of 2018, the Nigerian logistics sector was valued at 250 billion naira, which is a 50 billion naira rise from its value in 2017. The rapid growth can be attributed to technological innovations of the past decades and how they have opened the industry for growth.

Also, in the last decade, online shopping has become a part of Nigeria and has changed how Nigerians shop. Platform providers for online shopping have provided Nigerians with seamless and easy access to international and local items, including food, books, clothes, toiletries, furniture and electronics. Online shopping alone in 2019 generated $4.88 million in revenue with 20.5% CAGR expected growth for 2019-2023; this would result in a $10.2 million market volume by 2023.

The trends of online shopping in 2019 showed the fashion industry to be the leading arm with user penetration of 52.2% and $1,76 million in transaction volume. This is, however, expected by 2023 to reach 75.2%. Thanks to technology and ease of payments via electronic wallets, debit cards, mobile money and other modes of payment, it is expected that internet penetration is going to help the sector further grow and, in turn, increase the logistics industry.

Technological challenges

Due to the technological deficit facing the Nigerian logistics industry, a significant challenge faced is the inefficiency of customs and seaports services at the ports. The process of customs clearance is manual and slow. This lengthy process increases the time goods stay at ports to pass through inspection, thus increasing operational costs. This is a problem that would not have existed with cargo management systems.

Other significant challenges facing the logistics industry are a huge deficit in infrastructure, unstable electricity and a poor road network. These challenges have led to the inability of the logistics industry to reach its full potential.

Suggested solutions

Some of the upcoming technologies that can be introduced to address the technical deficit and close the gap existing in the Nigerian logistics and transportation industry include:

1. Control towers and GPS tracking.
2. Warehousing management systems.
3. Real-time fuel management systems.
4. Cargo management systems.
5. Information and communication systems like electronic data interchange (EDI).

How investors can get involved

Infrastructure is essential to the development of the logistics industry. The cost, reliability, cycle time and access are directly impacted by the level of integration and the health of the available infrastructure. To maintain a competitive logistics ecosystem, a strategic and constant upgrade of the infrastructure is needed. The financing for the much-needed infrastructure is where investors can get involved.

For example, the Nigeria Special Economic Zones Investment company is raising a capital of $250 million from different lenders to develop free trade zones in Lagos, Abia and Katsina states. Also, Nigeria is expected to build the Lekki Lagos Airport on a 3,000-hectare plot. Underway is the Lekki Deep Sea Port Project, with a budget of $1.5 billion. Investments in infrastructure are essential for the growth of the logistics sector.

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Overview

 Over the last few years, the Nigeria agricultural sector has witnessed an incredible surge in production with various government interventions and ultimately ‘the rise of digital/technology in agriculture, which has broadened the aspects of sales, marketing, extension, storage, and other related activities across the agricultural value chain.

In the last ten years, it has been estimated that over 60% of farm produce undergoes second/multiple level value additions immediately after harvest, a technique known as agro-processing. The concept of agro-processing has created diverse small and medium enterprises opportunities, and these businesses sprouted from the idea of creating a presumptive solution to the many problems of post-harvest activities.

Though relatively new, the sector (Agro-processing) is fast becoming critically important to the expansion and diversification of the Nigerian agricultural industry as it aims to compete favourably with imported processed foods and create enterprises to support economic growth by leveraging emerging technology.

Some examples of enterprises developed from agro-processing concepts include; Instant pounded yam flour processing, Palm wine bottling and preservation, Vegetable oil extraction, Tiger nut drink production, Zobo leaves production, Fruit juice processing, Plantain chips processing etc.

Benefits of the Agro Processing Industry  in Nigeria

There are diverse opportunities in the agro-processing sector, considering different options of commodity-pick to explore and knowing it’s a space that still has so many unsolved problems.

Economically, the sector is still very much underdeveloped but has since shown a promising future of investment viability. Even as much as it currently fits in well with the small/medium enterprise classification, its actual potential has not yet been researched and consequently implemented; it can be argued that the sector is still in its sampling stage, hence to realise the benefits of this sector, there is a need to understand the underlying problems or the foundational cause of the concepts.

Post-harvest food losses in Sub-Saharan Africa are estimated to be worth $4 billion each year, enough to feed at least 48 million people. This information was revealed in a UN study by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Post-harvest loss accounts for most innovation behind agro-processing; poor storage, loss during transportation, insufficient and inefficient agro-processing skills among smallholder farming communities, lack of innovative approach to preservation, distribution, and inadequate infrastructure. Profit maximisation, exportability, and competitiveness are other factors that contributed to the development of the agro-processing concepts.

Some problems and Constraints to the Development of the Agro-Processing Sector include;

• Inconsistent and insufficient raw material supply
• Seasonality of crops
• Imperfect market information
• High losses during transport from farm to factory
• Obsolete processing and ancillary equipment
• Poorly trained personnel and a lack of qualified food technologists
• Inappropriate packaging materials and high packaging cost
• Weak or non-existent market development
• A lack of technical support for the agro-industrial sector

However, if properly nurtured, the benefits of the Nigerian agro-processing industry may include;

• Enhanced agricultural productivity and increased farm household incomes
• Establishment of indigenous food standards
• Large quantities of agricultural “waste” produced in one location can be transformed into valuable products such as animal feed.
• Reduce importation of similar or foreign foods and conserve foreign exchange
• Diversification of the economy to reduce present dependence on one export commodity
• Reduction of imports and meeting export demands;
• Stimulate agricultural production by obtaining marketable products;
• Generate both rural and urban employment;
• Reduce fresh produce losses;
• Improve farmers’ nutrition by allowing them to consume their own processed fruit and vegetables during the off-season;
• Generate new sources of income for farmers, artisans and investors;
• Develop new value-added products.

Impact of Technology on Agro-Processing

“Agriculture is in the early days of yet another revolution, at the heart of which lie data and connectivity. Artificial intelligence, analytics, connected sensors, and other emerging technologies could further increase yields, improve the efficiency of water and other inputs, and build sustainability and resilience across crop cultivation and animal husbandry” (Mckinsey & company)

The evolution of technology and local adaptation has dramatically assisted the incubation of innovative ideas in the agro-processing sector; for example, access to a digital market has encouraged sales and distribution of processed food, access to new knowledge in terms of available information on the internet as facilitated research and development of new products, availability of improved production equipment have also contributed to incubation of agro-processing ideas, it is therefore hard to completely separate technology from modern agro-processing ideas as the latter encouraged the development of the agro-processing sector. Moreso, further improvement in the technological vision will consequently mean growth in the agro-processing industry.

Is the Agro-Processing industry improving?

With the many challenges the agro-processing sector is facing, challenges ranging from lack of skilled individuals, management, wastage, shortage in equipment supply, amongst others, the question of how do we improve this sector to withstand the pressure and sustain the economy might be a relevant roadmap to the future development of the industry? The industry can be improved in the area of;

• Processing skill acquisition
• Favourable production/trade law
• Investment from government and individuals
• Technological improvement and adaptation
• Research and development

Generally, the sector needs more investment in all its definitions to compete favourably with counterpart foreign cultures.

Investment Opportunities

Investment opportunities in the agro-processing value chain are tremendous and viable enough for investment. Investors willing to explore the sector now understand the possible hindrances and can devise manoeuvring means. Some investment opportunities include but are not limited to;

1. Warehousing
2. Sun Drying and preservation
3. Production of preservatives/storage materials
4. Transportation
5. Production of packaging material
6. Food processing, e.g. Tigernut drink production, Zobo leaves production, Fruit juice processing, Plantain chips processing, and Tomato paste processing.
7. Production of industrial raw materials, e.g. Cassava based adhesives, oil extracts
8. Production of processing equipment/machinery
9. Distribution

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Here are two statements that defy logic. The first is: “Nigeria has the highest GDP in Africa, standing at $514.05 billion in 2021.” And the Second, “About 19.4 million people will face a food crisis across Nigeria between June and August 2022”.

Every year, Nigeria destroys and wastes a good amount of the food produced. Food wastage is ubiquitous in the nation. This suggests that when we speak about the solution, we should also dig into the entire process that turns a seed into a meal and how that meal can be preserved. This post looks at agro-processing and its development in Nigeria with a few suggestions.

Benefits of Agro-Processing in Nigeria

The agro-processing sector is an essential element of the agricultural industry, encompassing a wide range of agronomic operations, marketed agricultural exports, manufacturing and innovation-focused processing of goods, and the production of agricultural-derived finished goods. According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report, Nigeria’s food processing sub-sector alone constitutes half of the production jobs in the country. The benefit is that a solid and effective farming sector would allow the nation to grow, provide jobs, boost the economy, and offer simple ingredients to businesses.

What are the challenges facing the sector?

Nigeria was once one of the best exporters of palm oil globally. Still, according to a 2021 report by SBM Intel, a Nigerian geopolitical research and strategic communications consulting firm, the country no longer has that prestige due to poor storage facilities and a lack of knowledge in food processing. Here are some of the technological problems facing the sector:

• Inappropriate technology: The available technology is sometimes too complicated for farmers to use. This issue is linked to the quality of the equipment, functioning, and its applicability to illiterate farmers compared to what they are used to. There is also a lack of institutional support for local and rural farmers, which provides a hurdle to the sector’s technological growth.
• Inadequate facilities: Nigeria’s agro-processing sector suffers from inadequate or non-existent facilities for preserving food products such as cereals, yams, beans, and so on, and this can result in wastage, exacerbating food poverty. According to an SBM Intel report, 47% of farmers have zero access to any storage facilities during harvest; the lack of storage facilities contributes to post-harvest losses, which could get as high as 60% for tubers, fruits and vegetables.
• Electricity and Energy: Food processing equipment mostly requires electricity. However, Nigeria’s power supply is irregular, leading high cost of power generation to run the equipment. To keep food affordable, agro-processors need regular electricity and fuel at reasonable prices.

Suggested solutions

• Technical support: Local farmers can’t afford foreign technology and don’t have the resources to maintain them. Due to a lack of food processing skills, farmers are sometimes forced to consume a large portion of their produce in a short period or waste it. Farmers should be educated on food processing techniques and use appropriate tools and machinery.
• Alternative energy sources: Practitioners need to embrace renewable energy sources as an alternative to the grid electricity from the government—for example, solar-powered machinery or the use of biofuel and other agricultural-based energy sources.

Please read Akingate’s article on Agro-Processing Development in Nigeria for further analysis of the industry.

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