A Review of Robotics Research in South Africa

Authors

  • E. Boje University of Cape Town Author
  • R.L. Christopher University of Cape Town Author
  • J. Fernandes Nelson Mandela University Author
  • J.H. Hepworth University of Cape Town Author
  • R.B. Kuriakose Central University of Technology Author
  • K. Kruger Stellenbosch University Author
  • T. Lorimer University of KwaZulu-Natal Author
  • N. Luwes Central University of Technology Author
  • H.D. Mouton University of Cape Town Author
  • A. Patel University of Cape Town Author
  • B. Rosman University of the Witwatersrand Author
  • W.J. Smit Stellenbosch University Author
  • R. Stopforth University of KwaZulu-Natal Author
  • B. van Eden Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Author
  • T. van Niekerk Nelson Mandela University Author
  • H. Vermaak Central University of Technology Author
  • D. Withey Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2309-8988/2019/v35a9

Keywords:

robotics research, South Africa

Abstract

Robots are increasingly being used in the industry.  Businesses that use robots can produce products and provide services at lower costs and with higher quality. Some industries, like automotive manufacturing, have become dependent on robots. The impact of robots on society and the greater economy is not clear. Robots threaten the jobs of low skilled workers and even middle-skilled workers. While researchers and governments are trying to understand the impact of robots on the economy, it is commonly accepted that robots will be used more widely across all industries.  With this in mind, it is useful to consider the current research in robotics at South African research institutions.  This paper is such a review. It is not exhaustive, but it provides a sense of the robotics research being done in South African research institutions.  It appears that research institutions do not work on common themes, yet many research groups relate their work to Industry 4.0. The review suggests that each research group is working on topics of interest to them. The implication of this is that a wide variety of robotic themes are being researched in South Africa.

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Author Biographies

  • E. Boje, University of Cape Town

    Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town

  • R.L. Christopher, University of Cape Town

    Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cape Town

  • J. Fernandes, Nelson Mandela University

    Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth

  • J.H. Hepworth, University of Cape Town

    Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch

  • R.B. Kuriakose, Central University of Technology

    Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein

  • K. Kruger, Stellenbosch University

    Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch

  • T. Lorimer, University of KwaZulu-Natal

    Department Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban

  • N. Luwes, Central University of Technology

    Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein

  • H.D. Mouton, University of Cape Town

    Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch

  • A. Patel, University of Cape Town

    Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch

  • B. Rosman, University of the Witwatersrand

    School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

  • W.J. Smit, Stellenbosch University

    Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch

  • R. Stopforth, University of KwaZulu-Natal

    Stopforth Mechatronics, Robotics and Research Lab, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban

  • B. van Eden, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

    Mobile Intelligent Autonomous Systems, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria

  • T. van Niekerk, Nelson Mandela University

    Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth

  • H. Vermaak, Central University of Technology

    Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Central University of Technology,  Bloemfontein

  • D. Withey, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

    Mobile Intelligent Autonomous Systems, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research,  Pretoria

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Published

06-12-2019

Issue

Vol. 35 (2019)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2019 E. Boje, R.L. Christopher, J. Fernandes, J.H. Hepworth, R.B. Kuriakose, K. Kruger, T. Lorimer, N. Luwes, H.D. Mouton, A. Patel, B. Rosman, W.J. Smit, R. Stopforth, B. van Eden, T. van Niekerk, H. Vermaak, D. Withey (Author)

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How to Cite

“A Review of Robotics Research in South Africa” (2019) R&D Journal, 35, pp. 75–97. doi:10.17159/2309-8988/2019/v35a9.

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