New and emerging technologies

Welcome to New and Emerging Technologies!

Hi there! In this chapter, we are going to explore how the world is changing. Technology moves fast—think about how much phones have changed in just ten years! We’ll look at how these changes affect businesses, the people who make products, and the planet we live on. Understanding this helps you become a better designer because you’ll know which "tools of the future" to use and how to use them responsibly. Don't worry if some of the big words seem tricky at first; we will break them down together!

1. Impact on Industry

The way we work is changing because of Automation and Robotics. In the past, people did most of the heavy lifting or repetitive tasks. Now, machines often do this work.

The Modern Workplace

Modern factories are often filled with robots that can work 24/7 without getting tired. This changes the organisation of the workplace because humans move from "doing" the work to "managing" the machines.
Example: In a car factory, robots might do all the dangerous welding, while humans use computers to check that everything is perfect.

Tools and Equipment

Tools are becoming "smarter." Instead of just a hand saw, we now use Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines that follow exact digital instructions to cut materials perfectly every time.

Quick Review: Industry is becoming faster and more accurate because of robots and smart tools.

2. Enterprise: New Ways of Doing Business

An Enterprise is just another word for a business or a project. New technology has created clever ways to start and run businesses:

Crowd funding: This is when a designer gets lots of people to give a small amount of money online to start a project.
Example: Using a website like Kickstarter to raise money for a new board game.

Virtual marketing and retail: Selling products through social media or websites instead of a physical shop on the high street. This includes using "influencers" or targeted ads.

Co-operatives: A business owned and run by its members. Everyone has a say, and they share the profits fairly.

Fair trade: This ensures that the people who grew or made the product (like cocoa beans for chocolate) were paid a fair price and worked in safe conditions.

3. Sustainability: Looking After Our Planet

Designers must think about the Ecological Footprint of what they make. This means looking at how much damage a product does to the environment from the moment it’s made until it’s thrown away.

Resource Consumption

Resources are usually split into two types:
1. Finite: These will run out eventually. They cannot be replaced. Example: Coal, oil, and gas.
2. Non-finite: These are "renewable" and will not run out. Example: Solar power, wind power, and trees (if we replant them).

Memory Aid: Think of Finite as "Finished" (it will end) and Non-finite as "Never-ending."

4. People: Why Do Products Change?

There are two main reasons why new products appear on the market:

Technology Push: This happens when new research or a scientific discovery leads to a new product. The tech comes first, and the "need" for it comes later.
Example: The invention of touch-screens led to the first smartphones.

Market Pull: This is when customers "pull" a product into existence because they want or need something.
Example: People wanted a way to carry 1,000 songs in their pocket, which led to the development of the iPod.

Changing Job Roles

Because of new tech, some old jobs (like assembly line workers) are disappearing, but new jobs (like robot repairers and app developers) are being created. We call this technological change.

5. Culture and Society

Designers must be respectful. This means making sure products don't offend different faiths and beliefs. It also means keeping up with fashion and trends, which change quickly because of the internet.

Inclusive Design: We should design products so everyone can use them, including:
• The elderly (e.g., phones with bigger buttons).
• People with disabilities (e.g., websites that can read text aloud).
• Different religious groups (e.g., avoiding certain materials or symbols).

6. Production Techniques and Systems

How do we actually make things today? We use high-tech systems to stay efficient:

CAD (Computer Aided Design): Using software to draw and design products on a computer.
CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture): Using machines (like 3D printers or laser cutters) to make the design directly from the CAD file.

Just in Time (JIT): Only ordering materials when they are exactly needed.
Analogy: It’s like buying ingredients for dinner on your way home, rather than keeping a cupboard full of food that might go out of date. It saves space and money!

Lean Manufacturing: This is a philosophy of "cutting the fat." It means reducing waste as much as possible to make production cheaper and greener.

7. Critical Evaluation: Making Wise Choices

Before making a product, a designer must think about these four big ideas:

Planned Obsolescence: This is when a product is designed to break or become useless after a certain time. Example: A phone that can't update its software after two years so you have to buy a new one. (This is often seen as bad for the environment!)

Design for Maintenance: Making products that are easy to fix. Example: A bike where you can easily swap the tires instead of throwing the whole bike away.

Ethics: Asking "Is this the right thing to do?" This covers things like child labor or animal testing.

The Environment: Reducing pollution and fighting global warming by using less energy and creating continuous improvement in how we work.

Key Takeaway: New technology is exciting, but designers must balance innovation (new ideas) with responsibility (taking care of people and the Earth).