Telerobot-enabled HUB-CI model for collaborative lifecycle management of design and prototyping

• Intro. HUB-CI model for collaborative lifecycle management in engineering design.
• Efficient innovative idea exchanges and consensus decision-making in design teams.
• HUB-based telerobot enables physical collaborative prototyping over the Internet.
• Distributed agent system is integrated for conflict/error detection and prevention.
• Implemented pilot system for the design lifecycle of an electronics product.

The HUB-CI model is investigated in a telerobotic system in a client/server network to manage the lifecycle of engineering design and prototyping. The purpose of this platform is to support collaborative engineering design and proof of concept to enhance distributed team collaboration and resource utilization. The suggested platform is exemplified in two collaboration support tools and a physical prototyping platform. Structured Co-Insight Management is developed to support innovative idea exchanges and the consensus decision-making during the design process. Conflict/error detection management helps preventing conflicts and errors during the lifecycle of design and development. Physical collaboration over the network occurs when a team controls the telerobot operation during prototyping and testing in design cycles. A pilot system is implemented with a group project for the design of an electronic circuit (including both hardware and software designs). The functional assessment method is used to compare this platform to other collaborative design tools. The system presented offers unique qualitative advantages as an integrated collaboration support system.

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