Artificial Intelligence No 38: Frameworks for deploying AI in Cyber Physical Systems

Welcome to Artificial Intelligence No 38

In this edition, we cover the challenges of finding frameworks for deploying AI in Cyber Physical Systems

A cyber-physical system (CPS) or intelligent system is a computer system in which a mechanism is controlled or monitored by computer-based algorithms. In cyber-physical systems, physical and software components are deeply intertwined, able to operate on different spatial and temporal scales, exhibit multiple and distinct behavioral modalities, and interact with each other in ways that change with context. CPS involves transdisciplinary approaches, merging theory of cybernetics, mechatronics, design and process science. The process control is often referred to as embedded systems. Source wikipedia

Cyber Physical systems are becoming increasingly common – think of autonomous vehicles, autonomous robots, drones etc.

The question is: is there a framework for deploying AI in cyber physical systems?

This was a question in my class at the #universityofoxford

The first impression is .. there is none .. it’s a complex subject and still work in progress

But I did find an interesting pre-print paper called Airport 4.0: Technology Adoption Framework for Airports (TAFA)

This application for an airport scenario could be used as a foundation for creating a framework for deploying AI in Cyber Physical Systems.

The paper itself does not refer to AI – but I see it as a first stage to creating a methodology for deploying AI in ?Cyber Physical Systems

• The core question is: “How can airport operators or managers develop airports of the future using I4.0 technologies?”.
• Technology Adoption Framework for Airports (TAFA framework) was developed. digital transformation process, particularly in the adoption of I4.0 technologies in the airport.
• The term Aviation 4.0 captures the paradigm shift in the aviation industry through the incorporation of I4.0 technologies (Valdés et al., 2018).
• Airport 4.0 is used as a broad term to imply advancement and adoption of technologies in airports, with a weak reference to the associated term “Industry 4.0”.

????Challenges in adopting I4.0 technologies in airports

Research gaps and objectives:

• No clarity on I4.0 technologies that are important for future airports
• Lack of empirical research on challenges faced by airport operators in technology adoption
• Lack of generic criteria to assess I4.0 technologies for adoption in airports

Research question

• Understand the future-oriented objectives that airport operators have in adopting I4.0 technologies in the airport and the enabling I4.0 technologies to achieve the desired state of a smart, digital airport of the future (Airport 4.0).
• Obtain primary data from airport operators to verify the challenges they face in adopting industry 4.0 technologies as well as to understand any best practices or success factors that support technology adoption in airports.
• Develop a technology adoption framework for airports (operators) to assess their current status and take proactive action to mitigate any potential challenges in technology adoption.
• Develop a set of generic criteria for airport operators to assess the feasibility of I4.0 technologies and the economic case for implementation. These generic criteria can form part of an overall technology adoption strategy or framework to guide airport operators on the key infrastructural or process provisions that need to be in place in their digital transformation process.

Technology Adoption Framework for Airports (TAFA framework)

The TAFA framework consists of 4 key parts:

• Objectives for digital transformation in airports,
• Important I4.0 technologies for Airport 4.0,
• Technology adoption process and
• Strategies to facilitate the technology adoption process. These parts will be elaborated in the sub-sections that follow.

Technology adoption process

• Proof of technology
• Proof of operations
• Proof of business
• Technology trials

Strategies to facilitate the technology adoption process

Internal strategies

• organize for agility by establishing innovation project teams with cross-cluster expertise.
• develop in-house technological capabilities.

External strategies

• Co-innovate with vendors
• Cross-industry technology scouting.
• Collect, share and utilise data within the airport environment.

So, from this, you could create a general framework

And then adapt it to other domains – say even AI in agriculture or AI in space (both of which I am exploring now)

Barclays bank – AI in Agtech 2021 and beyond

So, i will continue to develop and expand this idea and apply to AI in cyber physical networks by expanding on the above for a specific domain

Paper source (pre print) Airport 4.0: Technology Adoption Framework for Airports (TAFA)