World-renowned economist Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, explains that we have an opportunity to shape the fourth industrial revolu­tion, which will fundamentally alter how we live and work. Schwab argues that this revolution is different in scale, scope and complexity from any that have come before. Characterized by a range of new technologies that are fusing the physical, digital and biological worlds, the developments are affecting all disciplines, economies, industries and governments, and even challenging ideas about what it means to be human. Artificial intelligence is already all around us, from supercomputers, drones and virtual assistants to 3D printing, DNA sequencing, smart thermostats, wear­able sensors and microchips smaller than a grain of sand. But this is just the beginning: nanomaterials 200 times stronger than steel and a million times thinner than a strand of hair and the first transplant of a 3D printed liver are already in development. Imagine “smart factories” in which global systems of manu­facturing are coordinated virtually, or implantable mobile phones made of biosynthetic materials. The fourth industrial revolution, says Schwab, is more significant, and its ramifications more profound, than in any prior period of human history. He outlines the key technologies driving this revolution and discusses the major impacts expected on government, business, civil society and individu­als. Schwab also offers bold ideas on how to harness these changes and shape a better future—one in which technology empowers people rather than replaces them; progress serves society rather than disrupts it; and in which innovators respect moral and ethical boundaries rather than cross them. We all have the opportunity to contribute to developing new frame­works that advance progress.

Enabling Technologies for Computational Science assesses future application computing needs, identifies research directions in problem-solving environments (PSEs), addresses multi-disciplinary environments operating on the Web, proposes methodologies and software architectures for building adaptive and human-centered PSEs, and describes the role of symbolic computing in scientific and engineering PSEs. The book also includes an extensive bibliography of over 400 references. Enabling Technologies for Computational Science illustrates the extremely broad and interdisciplinary nature of the creation and application of PSEs. Authors represent academia, government laboratories and industry, and come from eight distinct disciplines (chemical engineering, computer science, ecology, electrical engineering, mathematics, mechanical engineering, psychology and wood sciences). This breadth and diversity extends into the computer science aspects of PSEs. These papers deal with topics such as artificial intelligence, computer-human interaction, control, data mining, graphics, language design and implementation, networking, numerical analysis, performance evaluation, and symbolic computing. Enabling Technologies for Computational Science provides an assessment of the state of the art and a road map to the future in the area of problem-solving environments for scientific computing. This book is suitable as a reference for scientists from a variety of disciplines interested in using PSEs for their research.

This volume provides a novel way of examining innovation in sectors by proposing the framework of sectoral systems of innovation. It analyses the innovation process, the factors affecting innovation, the changing boundaries and transformation of sectors, and the determinants of the innovation performance of firms and countries in different sectors.

This book offers a selection of the best papers presented at the annual international scientific conference “Digital Transformation in Industry: Trends, Management, Strategies,” which was held by the Institute of Economics of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Ekaterinburg, Russia) on October 28, 2022. The book focuses on concepts for initiating digitalization processes and identifying successful digital transformation strategies in all sectors of industry. Key topics include the sustainability of digital transformation in uncertain dynamics; conditions of uncertainty and barriers; industrial logistics in the new reality; best practices for implementing digital solutions to ensure sustainable, barrier-free and flexible supply chains; the achievement of sustainability in the process of digital transition; the adaptation of enterprises to the ESG concept through digital solutions; assessing the impact of industrial digital transformation on society and the environment; and clarifying how ESG aspects affect the economy. The experiences of various countries, regions and types of enterprise implementing IT and other technological innovations are also included, making the book a valuable asset for researchers and managers alike.

It's here: the latest edition of the one text you need to master assistive strategies, make confident clinical decisions, and help improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Based on the Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) model, Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice, 4th Edition provides detailed coverage of the broad range of devices, services, and practices that comprise assistive technology, and focuses on the relationship between the human user and the assisted activity within specific contexts. Updated and expanded, this new edition features coverage of new ethical issues, more explicit applications of the HAAT model, and a variety of global issues highlighting technology applications and service delivery in developing countries. Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) framework demonstrates assistive technology within common, everyday contexts for more relevant application. Focus on clinical application guides you in applying concepts to real-world situations. Review questions and chapter summaries in each chapter help you assess your understanding and identify areas where more study is needed. Content on the impact of AT on children and the role of AT in play and education for children with disabilities demonstrates how AT can be used for early intervention and to enhance development. Coverage of changing AT needs throughout the lifespan emphasizes how AT fits into people's lives and contributes to their full participation in society. Principles and practice of assistive technology provides the foundation for effective decision-making. NEW! Global issues content broadens the focus of application beyond North America to include technology applications and service delivery in developing countries. NEW! Ethical issues and occupational justice content exposes you to vital information as you start interacting with clients. NEW! More case studies added throughout the text foster an understanding of how assistive technologies are used and how they function. NEW! Updated content reflects current technology and helps keep you current. NEW! Explicit applications of the HAAT model in each of the chapters on specific technologies and more emphasis on the interactions among the elements make content even easier to understand.

In the fast-developing world of Industry 4.0, which combines Extended Reality (XR) technologies, such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), creating location aware applications to interact with smart objects and smart processes via Cloud Computing strategies enabled with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), factories and processes can be automated and machines can be enabled with self-monitoring capabilities. Smart objects are given the ability to analyze and communicate with each other and their human co-workers, delivering the opportunity for much smoother processes, and freeing up workers for other tasks. Industry 4.0 enabled smart objects can be monitored, designed, tested and controlled via their digital twins, and these processes and controls are visualized in VR/AR. The Industry 4.0 technologies provide powerful, largely unexplored application areas that will revolutionize the way we work, collaborate and live our lives. It is important to understand the opportunities and impact of the new technologies and the effects from a production, safety and societal point of view.

This book gathers selected papers presented at the Second International Conference on Intelligent Manufacturing and Automation (ICIMA 2020), which was jointly organized by the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Production Engineering at Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College of Engineering (DJSCE), Mumbai, and by the Indian Society of Manufacturing Engineers (ISME). Covering a range of topics in intelligent manufacturing, automation, advanced materials and design, it focuses on the latest advances in e.g. CAD/CAM/CAE/CIM/FMS in manufacturing, artificial intelligence in manufacturing, IoT in manufacturing, product design & development, DFM/DFA/FMEA, MEMS & nanotechnology, rapid prototyping, computational techniques, nano- & micro-machining, sustainable manufacturing, industrial engineering, manufacturing process management, modelling & optimization techniques, CRM, MRP & ERP, green, lean & agile manufacturing, logistics & supply chain management, quality assurance & environmental protection, advanced material processing & characterization of composite & smart materials. The book is intended as a reference guide for future researchers, and as a valuable resource for students in graduate and doctoral programmes.