Assessment 2: Technology (Robotics and RPA) Evaluation

Individual Assessment (35%)

We are in an era of experiencing the disruptive nature of technology, organisations, governments and nations. This asks the question of what impact technology and automation will have on our jobs now and into the future.

For example, many robotics and artificial intelligence tools and techniques are being used successfully in industry now, and many have the potential for expanded use. Exploring how robotics and RPA have been integrated by other companies gives you an insight into the type of processes and activities it is facilitating.

Aim

In this assessment task, you will research examples of robotics and RPA innovations in your choice of industry, sector or business (you can use your current business if you wish) and evaluate the role that robotics and RPA will have for your industry, sector or business and considering what you can learn from the current integration of robotics and RPA technologies.

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Tasks

1)    Read the PWC report, Will robots really steal our jobs? An international analysis of the potential long term impact of automation (Links to an external site.) (particularly Sections 3 and 4) And the report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) on Robotics and the Future of Production and Work (Links to an external site.). This will help in establishing some background on the current playing field of digital disruption and Industry 4.0.

2)    Briefly define BOTH robotics and RPA and provide an abbreviated history of robotics and RPA.

3)    Pick an industry, sector or business. It is perfectly acceptable to pick the business you are currently working for, whilst maintaining privacy and confidentiality. Provide some background and context, particularly in the current integration of robotics and RPA technologies, of that industry, sector or business. Please refer to the two reports above, and supplement with additional information in establishing the current adoption of robotics and RPA.

4)    Outline the role of RPA in your selected industry, sector or business. What type of workflows are being automated through RPA? Map one workflow.

5)    Please build a RPA. The RPA does not have to be in the same context as your selected industry, sector or business. It may be a personal one that could perform a variety of functions. Ideally, I would like the RPA to interact with at least two different applications, and elicit some variables from the user. Have a look at the examples (including the UiPath RPA I presented in class) in Week 4 as potential RPAs. You are most welcome to use whichever RPA platform you can access, keeping in mind that most Mac users will be relegated to Automator (I will keep this in mind when marking). PC users can use UiPath Studio or any other platform of their choosing. 

6)    Please read the report from the Robotics Business Review, Humans less upset at being replaced by robots than by people (Links to an external site.). What impact would the disruption of robotics and RPA have on your selected industry, sector of business? Consider the potential ethical and social consequences of using robotics and AI.

7)    Next, identify and explore two Robotics/RPA companies and evaluate, using criteria that you develop, the potential business value of the two companies on your selected industry, sector or business.

8)     Finally, Robots as a Service (RaaS) is a recent trend according to Forbes (Robots As A Service: A Technology Trend Every Business Must Consider (Links to an external site.)). What impact do you think RaaS may have on the adoption and utilisation of robotics for your selected industry, sector or business?

This response should be presented as a business proposal for the adoption of robotics and AI in your selected industry, sector or business.

The report has a 3,000 word limit; and requires at least 15 credible references (websites are acceptable, as long as you deem them credible) and your TurnItIn result must be less than 15%.

In terms of a structure, I would recommend something along the lines of (feel free to modify):

• Title page
• Executive summary
• Table of contents
• Introduction
• Define robotics and RPA
• Discuss the history of robotics and RPA (you might wish to do this via a timeline)
• Discuss the background and context of your selected industry, sector or business.
• Discuss the role of Robotic Process Automation in your selected industry, sector or business, identifying and highlighting some workflows.
• Map at least one RPA workflow relevant to your selected industry, sector or business.
• Develop a functional RPA.
• Discuss the current use of robotics in your selected industry, sector or business.
• Discuss the impact of robotics and RPA on human workers in your selected industry, sector or business.
• Evaluate the two robotics/RPA companies
• Recommend one of the robotics/RPA companies
• Discuss the impact of RaaS
• Reference list