New and emerging technologies

• New technologies


  • Developed to positively impact the manufacturing industry and society
• Companies are trying to save money, improve products, develop new materials and become more efficient
• Automation


  1. Using automatic equipment in production

  2. Machinery being used to complete tasks previously done by humans

  3. Automated machines are programmed to carry out a procedure multiple times
• Robotics


  The use of robots with artificial intelligence to collect information and improve the performance of a particular procedure
• Robotics


  • Increase efficiency
  • Handle harmful materials that humans can't
  • Very expensive
• Smart technology


  • Technology that uses a chip to store information
• Renewable energy


  • Power that is generated using natural resources that will not run out, eg wind and wave power
• Modular buildings


  • Buildings made of smaller, prebuilt parts put together
  • Erected quickly and at a low cost
  • Improvements in stock control mean less storage space is needed
• New technologies


  • Developed to positively impact the manufacturing industry and society
• Crowdfunding


  Using websites to advertise products as investment opportunities, where people can choose to back a project with a financial donation if they think it will be viable
• Backers


  Rewarded with free gifts, discounts or a pre-agreed part of any profits if the product is successful
• Virtual marketing and retail


  Promotion of products online and sharing experiences, reviews and recommendations has rapidly become part of the retail experience
• Algorithms


  Generate information about users' buying habits and suggest relevant retail sites for them to try using search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Blogs


  Online publications written by an individual or a group of individuals that covers a subject of their choosing
• Vlogs


  Social media videos
• Cooperatives


  Organisations with lots of people working together towards common goals, run and owned by members who share decision-making, profits and risk
• Cooperatives in the UK


  • The Co-operative Group
  • John Lewis and Partners
  • Nationwide Building Society
• Fair trade


  A trading partnership that ensures workers in developing countries are given suitable working conditions and are paid a fair wage
• Fair trade is not a legal obligation for companies to follow, but it has become more popular over time as it represents a growing belief that workers who produce products should be treated well
• This has encouraged companies to fair trade endorse some of their products to support their sales
• Finite resources are non-renewable and will eventually run out. Metals, plastics and fossil fuels (coal, natural gas and oil) are all examples of finite resources. 
• Companies have become more careful in their use of finite resources, and they now consider the ecological footprint caused by using such materials.
• Non-finite resources are found naturally and can be replaced. Examples include wood, cotton and renewable energy sources
• Renewable Energy sources:

  • Wind
  • Solar - Sun
  • Tidal - Ocean
  • Geothermal - Volcaneos
• Households are encouraged to recycle waste items where possible, including products made from various materials such as hard plastics, paper and steel.
•  landfill sites release harmful gases that pollute the surrounding air and soil.
• Continuous improvement is the practice of continually making small adjustments to production techniques to improve speed and quality and save resources.
• Continuous improvement is an example of

  Kaizen
• Ways to improve efficiency:

  • Automation
  • CAD and CAM
  • Quality Control
  • Reducing errors
  • Reducing waste
  • Increasing speed of production
• Pollution is caused when harmful substances are released into the natural environment.
• Harmful products, such as batteries, should be disposed of correctly, and companies are being encouraged by government incentives to recycle waste wherever possible.
• Manufacturing processes in factories or the use of day-to-day products like cars can cause harmful chemicals, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, to be released.
• Research and development in science and industry can lead to new discoveries, which can be used to improve existing products or develop new ones. This is known as technology push.
• Market pull is when product ideas are produced in response to market forces or customer needs.
• The rapid changes in technology and automation in recent years have meant a decline in the need for traditional skills.
• Fashion trends continue to be influenced by changing technology. Wearable items embrace new technology such as high-tech watches.
• Trend forecasts are able to predict the future patterns and colours two years before products come onto the market
• Many countries now have a diverse range of cultures, so it has become important for designers to consider a range of cultural beliefs when designing for the mass market. 
• Society impacts:

  • Age
  • Disabilities (Mental and Physical)
  • Religion
• The automation of workplaces has led to an increase in skilled workers but a decrease in job opportunities, as machines have taken over the jobs previously done by humans.