Interfaces for distributed remote user controlled manufacturing: Working individually or in collaborative group?

Abstract

The present invention is directed to manufacturing, wherein each component of the outsourced process and system can be remotely controlled in decentralized manufacturing process, integrating resources and stakeholders in a global chain, that utilizes ubiquitous computing systems virtual and networked enterprises concepts, for anywhere-anytime control. Experiment involved 68 subjects, Serbian students that have used the interface for remote collaborative control to control CNC machine located in Portugal. Usability evaluation measures of the distributed remote user controlled manufacturing system, such as percentage of task completed, its accuracy and time to complete task, are measured on two types of "client" user interface ("Wall" and "Window"), in two modes of presentation (desktop and video beam), working individually or in small collaborative group consisted of two persons, results were statistically tested. Percentage of task completed is equal for both types of interfaces, while accuracy of task is significantly better for "Wall" interface. Time of task execution is longer for individuals when desktop is used comparing to video beam. There exist significant differences when work is conducted in groups via video beam and time is longer when desktop is used. Also, work time is longer with "Wall" interface. When working in group, work time is shorter than the time when working individually, whereby the working time on desktop is longer than on the video beam. Also, the time is longer when working individually using video beam, using "Wall" interface on desktop, and "Window" interface on video beam. These results show that group work consumes less time in most working options, giving the best results when working in collaborative small group on "Wall" interface via video beam.