1. ROBOTIC PROCESS AUTOMATION (RPA) IN AUDITINGFilip Tashkovski, 2024, undergraduate thesis Abstract: Auditing, as a form of control (for example over financial management or compliance), has traditionally relied on manual processes that are time-consuming, labor-intensive and prone to human error. With the advent of robotic process automation (RPA), there has been a paradigm shift from manual to automated processes in audit processes as well. Automation dates back to the 1990s, which led to the creation of robotic process automation (RPA) tools. Today we are approaching or we are in the fourth industrial revolution, the era of universal automation. RPA refers to the use of software robots (or "bots") to automate repetitive rule-based activities previously performed by humans. As companies try to keep up with rapid technological improvements, incorporating RPA into audit processes provides a number of benefits that can radically change auditing. RPA has emerged as a transformative technology in auditing, changing established approaches with its ability to improve productivity, accuracy and compliance. One of the most significant benefits of RPA in auditing is its ability to increase efficiency. Traditional audit procedures can sometimes be time-consuming and labor-intensive, as auditors must manually collect and evaluate data from multiple sources. RPA accelerates these activities by automating common tasks such as data entry, coordination and report generation. For example, an RPA robot can be trained to collect financial data from multiple sources (eg from multiple companies) and verify its accuracy using established criteria. This not only reduces the time required to perform audits, but also eliminates the possibility of human error. In addition to efficiency, there is another key advantage: accuracy. RPA enables auditors to take proactive measures to reduce risk, thereby protecting the financial integrity and reputation of the organization. By automating mundane and repetitive activities, RPA allows auditors to focus on more strategic activities that deliver value to the business. Auditors (in the broadest sense) can spend more time evaluating data models, finding areas for improvement, and making strategic suggestions to management. The aim of this bachelor's degree thesis is to explore and demonstrate the application of RPA in audit procedures, highlighting its benefits such as increased productivity, improved quality of rapid processing of large databases, improved risk management, and cost savings. The thesis also discusses the challenges and considerations related to the implementation of RPA in audit practices. The history of RPA is detailed, revealing its use by different industries and their goals. The thesis defines all types of RPA tools and their advantages and weaknesses. It also distinguishes between artificial intelligence (AI) and RPA, as it can confuse the activities of RPA tools with AI. Keywords: robotic process automation, RPA, monitoring, analytics, security, productivity, auditing, audit process. Published in DKUM: 09.09.2024; Views: 25; Downloads: 11 Full text (1,64 MB) |
2. Robotic versus laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer : a case-control studyJan Grosek, Jurij Aleš Košir, Primož Sever, Vanja Erčulj, Aleš Tomažič, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Robotic resections represent a novel approach to treatment of colorectal cancer. The aim of our study was to critically assess the implementation of robotic colorectal surgical program at our institution and to compare it to the established laparoscopically assisted surgery.
Patients and methods: A retrospective case-control study was designed to compare outcomes of consecutively operated patients who underwent elective laparoscopic or robotic colorectal resections at a tertiary academic centre from 2019 to 2020. The associations between patient characteristics, type of operation, operation duration, conversions, duration of hospitalization, complications and number of harvested lymph nodes were assessed by using univariate logistic regression analysis.
Results: A total of 83 operations met inclusion criteria, 46 robotic and 37 laparoscopic resections, respectively. The groups were comparable regarding the patient and operative characteristics. The operative time was longer in the robotic group (p < 0.001), with fewer conversions to open surgery (p = 0.004), with less patients in need of transfusions (p = 0.004) and lower reoperation rate (p = 0.026). There was no significant difference between the length of stay (p = 0.17), the number of harvested lymph nodes (p = 0.24) and the overall complications (p = 0.58).
Conclusions: The short-term results of robotic colorectal resections were comparable to the laparoscopically assisted operations with fewer conversions to open surgery, fewer blood transfusions and lower reoperation rate in the robotic group. Keywords: robotic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, colorectal cancer Published in DKUM: 14.08.2024; Views: 94; Downloads: 4 Full text (263,06 KB) This document has many files! More... |
3. Workpiece placement optimization for robot machining based on the evaluation of feasible kinematic directional capabilitiesSaša Stradovnik, Aleš Hace, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Workpiece placement plays a crucial role when performing complex surface machining task robotically. If the feasibility of a robotic task needs to be guaranteed, the maximum available capabilities should be higher than the joint capabilities required for task execution. This can be challenging, especially when performing a complex surface machining task with a collaborative robot, which tend to have lower motion capabilities than conventional industrial robots. Therefore, the kinematic and dynamic capabilities within the robot workspace should be evaluated prior to task execution and optimized considering specific task requirements. In order to estimate maximum directional kinematic capabilities considering the requirements of the surface machining task in a physically consistent and accurate way, the Decomposed Twist Feasibility (DTF) method will be used in this paper. Estimation of the total kinematic performance capabilities can be determined accurately and simply using this method, adjusted specifically for robotic surface machining purposes. In this study, we present the numerical results that prove the effectiveness of the DTF method in identifying the optimal placement of predetermined machining tasks within the robot’s workspace that requires lowest possible joint velocities for task execution. These findings highlight the practicality of the DTF method in enhancing the feasibility of complex robotic surface machining operations. Keywords: workpiece placement optimization, robotic surface machining, feasible kinematic directional capabilities, decomposed twist feasibility (DTF) method, manipulability, non-linear optimization Published in DKUM: 12.08.2024; Views: 64; Downloads: 15 Full text (5,96 MB) |
4. Robotic bin-picking : benchmarking robotics grippers with modified YCB object and model setTone Lerher, Primož Bencak, Luka Bizjak, Darko Hercog, Boris Jerman, 2023, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Robotic bin-picking is increasingly important in the order-picking process in intralogistics. However, many aspects of the robotic bin-picking process (object detection, grasping, manipulation) still require the research community's attention. Established methods are used to test robotic grippers, enabling comparability of the research community's results. This study presents a modified YCB Robotic Gripper Assessment Protocol that was used to evaluate the performance of four robotic grippers (twofingered, vacuum, gecko, and soft gripper). During the testing, 45 objects from the modified YCB Object and Model Set from the packaging categories, tools, small objects, spherical objects, and deformable objects were grasped and manipulated. The results of the robotic gripper evaluation show that while some robotic grippers performed substantially well, there is an expressive grasp success variation over diverse objects. The results indicate that selecting the object grasp point next to selecting the most suitable robotic gripper is critical in successful object grasping. Therefore, we propose grasp point determination using mechanical software simulation with a model of a two-fingered gripper in an ADAMS/MATLAB cosimulation. Performing software simulations for this task can save time and give comparable results to real-world experiments. Keywords: intralogistics, robotic bin-picking, YCB protocol, robotic gripper evaluation, mechanical software simulations, performance analysis Published in DKUM: 21.03.2024; Views: 298; Downloads: 11 Full text (773,38 KB) This document has many files! More... |
5. Object detection and graspability analysis for robotic bin-picking application in intralogisticsPrimož Bencak, Darko Hercog, Tone Lerher, 2023, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: Robotics has been gaining attention in intralogistics applications in recent years. Automation of intralogistics processes aims to cope with the rising trends of workforce deficiency, aging, and increasing demands that came with the rise of E-commerce. Many improvements aim at bin-picking applications since order-picking requires most contributions while adding little to the products' value. Robotic bin-pickers are showing promising results; however, they are still subject to many limitations. First, the vision system must correctly determine the object's location and orientation. Second, a correct robotic gripper must be chosen. Lastly, appropriate grasping points that lead to successful picking must be selected. In this paper, we explore the influencing parameters of object detection using a 3D vision system. Second, we analyze an actual bin-picking application to determine the most appropriate selection of the robotic gripper. Based on the experiments, we provide the guidelines for selecting the most appropriate robotic bin-picking configuration. Keywords: intralogistics, robotic bin-picking, detection analysis, graspability analysis Published in DKUM: 25.07.2023; Views: 407; Downloads: 27 Full text (1,89 MB) This document has many files! More... |
6. Evaluating robot bin-picking performance based on Box and Blocks TestPrimož Bencak, Darko Hercog, Tone Lerher, 2022, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The rise of e-commerce, which demands solutions for small order sizes, large product assortment, short delivery times, and variable order quantity has created a need for more advanced warehousing and order-picking systems. The advancements in collaborative robotics have made it possible to automate intralogistics processes, especially the order-picking systems. If the items to be order-picked are stored in small containers, called bins, the process is known as bin-picking. The processes of bin-picking are still mainly manual due to the adaptability, dexterity, and pace of human hands. However, with the emerging technologies, the gap between human and robot dexterity is getting thinner. The integrators of robotic technologies are therefore faced with the challenge of choosing an appropriate robotic system for bin-picking. There is a lack of standardized procedures, which are designed to process such decisions easier. In our research paper, we propose an improved robotic version of the Box and Blocks Test (BBT), which provides a quick evaluation of a complete robotic bin-picking system. Using our improved robot-adapted BBT protocol, we evaluate a sample robotic bin-picking system, consisting of a collaborative robot, a 3D vision system and three types of robotic grippers, comparing the bin-picking performance of each configuration. Keywords: robotic bin-picking, intralogistics, Box, Blocks Test, vision system, collaborative robot Published in DKUM: 03.03.2023; Views: 718; Downloads: 64 Full text (715,59 KB) This document has many files! More... |
7. Simulation model for robotic pick-point evaluation for 2-F robotic gripperPrimož Bencak, Darko Hercog, Tone Lerher, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Robotic bin-picking performance has been gaining attention in recent years with the development of increasingly advanced camera and machine vision systems, collaborative and industrial robots, and sophisticated robotic grippers. In the random bin-picking process, the wide variety of objects in terms of shape, weight, and surface require complex solutions for the objects to be reliably picked. The challenging part of robotic bin-picking is to determine object pick-points correctly. This paper presents a simulation model based on ADAMS/MATLAB cosimulation for robotic pick-point evaluation for a 2-F robotic gripper. It consists of a mechanical model constructed in ADAMS/View, MATLAB/Simulink force controller, several support functions, and the graphical user interface developed in MATLAB/App Designer. Its functionality can serve three different applications, such as: (1) determining the optimal pick-points of the object due to object complexity, (2) selecting the most appropriate robotic gripper, and (3) improving the existing configuration of the robotic gripper (finger width, depth, shape, stroke width, etc.). Additionally, based on this analysis, new variants of robotic grippers can be proposed. The simulation model has been verified on a selected object on a sample 2-F parallel robotic gripper, showing promising results, where up to 75% of pick-points were correctly determined in the initial testing phase. Keywords: intralogistics, robotic bin-picking, simulation model, ADAMS, pick-point determination, MATLAB/Simulink, 2-F robotic gripper, performance analysis Published in DKUM: 27.02.2023; Views: 764; Downloads: 104 Full text (19,99 MB) This document has many files! More... |
8. Implementation of a new reporting process in a group xSara Črešnik, 2021, master's thesis Abstract: Reporting is present in every company. Whether it is small or big, it cannot be avoided. It plays a crucial role in the process and progress of business. The quality of reporting affects the development of the work environment and the company. Since business report is a document that contains business information, which supports the decisions about the future-oriented business decisions, it is very important for it to be designed in such a way that it contains the key information for the recipient and provides support for business decisions. The reporting process can take place horizontally upwards or downwards. Content and structure vary depending on the recipient of the report. We live in an age when our every step is accompanied by digitization, computerization, artificial intelligence, mass data, the Internet of Things, machine learning, and robotics. These changes have also affected the reporting process as well as its processes. The processes of data acquisition, processing and sharing have changed. Furthermore, the data quantity has increased, whereas the speed of the time in which to prepare the reports has decreased. We can have data without information, but we cannot have information without data. There is never enough time, especially nowadays when we are used to having everything at our fingertips. These are two conflicting factors – having more data and less time to prepare quality reports. The systems are developed to optimize the process, increase efficiency and quality and, what is nowadays most important, they have been created to obtain mass data in the shortest possible time. Therefore, it is important to adapt and implement software that can help achieve our daily tasks. We must know how to process huge amounts of real-time data and deliver the information they contain. It is crucial for companies to keep up with the environment and implement changes and innovations into their business process. A company is like a living organism for it must constantly evolve and grow. As soon as it stops growing and evolving, it can fail because it starts lagging and is therefore no longer competitive to others. To deliver faster feedback, companies need data of better quality. There are tools that can improve the business process, better facilitating the capacity of the human agents. The goal is to harness the employees’ full potential and knowledge for important tasks, such as analyzing, reviewing, and understanding data and acting upon them, invoking information technology to automate repetitive processes and facilitate better communication.
The focus in this master’s thesis is on the reporting process in Group X. Group X is one of the world leaders in the automotive industry, a multinational corporation based in Canada with subsidiaries around the world. The complexity of the business reporting that is implemented for the Headquarters in Canada has to address the complexity of the multinational corporation to support the decision process.
The aim of the thesis is to propose a reporting process for preparing and producing reports with a huge amount of data in a very time-efficient manner. We start by examining the existing processes and upon that, identifying the processes required for the reports to reach the final recipients. Our goal is to identify the toolset, which would increase efficiency, accuracy, credibility, and reduce errors in the fastest possible time. We investigate a short-term and a long-term solution. By a short-term solution, we mean a system, program, or a tool that can help us increase our potential by using digital resources, which are already existing in the organization. By a long-term solution, we mean a solution, which requires employment of specialized future tools in the field of reporting and in repetitive processes, which we can identify with current knowledge and expectations for development. This includes machine learning, robotic process automatization, artificial intelligence. Keywords: Consolidated reporting, reporting process, robotic process automatization, business intelligence, artificial intelligence, machine learning, SharePoint, Big Data, digital transformation, electronic data interchange. Published in DKUM: 01.09.2021; Views: 894; Downloads: 7 Full text (1,71 MB) |