Opening Up to Open Source Interfaces and Automation
Open source may seem like a term tightly tied to today’s technical landscape. However, it actually has a decade-spanning history that served as the backbone for David Knuth's TeX typesetting program in 1979 through to Mozilla Firefox. Essentially, open source is “any program whose source code is made available for use or modification as users or other developers see fit,” as defined by Katie Terrell Hanna at TechTarget. And it continues to expand its impact and role to this day, especially as automation tech matures. From satellites to manufacturing to robots, let’s explore the emerging areas where open source’s presence can be found.
Satellites and Manufacturing
Open source is so prevalent that its reach extends from the factory floor all the way to Space. In conjunction with the increased use of IT, IoT, and other connective tech, “Open standards are essential for effective manufacturing business digitalization,” writes Bill Lydon for Automation.com. This is particularly relevant in the widening Industry 4.0 landscape, which is largely responsible for ushering in the age of enhanced automation dependence. Through frameworks such as open standard modular design, experts can modify, upgrade, and replace elements of the system when needed. This can eliminate the overwhelming task of having to renovate a system as a whole.
Last year, Lockheed Martin introduced another usage for open source. On April 4, 2022 it launched an open-source interface standard for on-orbit satellite docking. Aviation Week reported that the interface was released in order to institute an organized method for players in the field to connect and collaborate on an industry-wide standard. The company also predicted that the project could serve as a way to enhance the speed of satellite upgrades.
Robot Operating Systems
Perhaps one of the fastest growing areas of open source and open source interface integration is robot operating system (ROS) deployment. Contrive Datum Insights Pvt Ltd describes ROS as a “group of software frameworks and tools used to build or set up robotic systems.” Due to its language adaptability and the heightened demand for automation to boost business and take over difficult or dangerous functions, the ROS market is projected to hit $0.7 billion by 2030. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to lead this trend followed by growth in other parts of the world, including the European Union, with industrial and commercial sectors set to experience a surge.
In its celebration of 10 years since forming, the ROS-Industrial Americas Consortium, a project created around progressing open-source robotics for manufacturing and industry, recognized the expansion of ROS. Since its inception in 2013, the organization has gone from 14 members to over 85, and has witnessed an evolution in tools available to enrich industrial robotic capabilities. As this trajectory continues, the door is open to what open source interfaces and other collaborative advancements will bring.
Sources
“Open Source” - Katie Terrell Hanna, TechTarget
https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/open-source?Offer=abt_pubpro_AI-Insider
“Open Standards, Global Initiatives Help Modernize Operations” - Bill Lydon, Automation.com
https://www.automation.com/en-us/articles/december-2022/open-standards-global-initiatives-modernize-ops
“Lockheed Releases Open-Source Satellite Docking Interface Standard” - Garrett Reim, Aviation Week
https://aviationweek.com/shows-events/space-symposium/lockheed-releases-open-source-satellite-docking-interface-standard
“Robot Operating System (ROS) Market Is Expected To Reach around USD 0.7 Billion by 2030, Grow at a CAGR Of 9.2% during Forecast Period 2023 To 2030 Data By Contrive Datum Insights Pvt Ltd.” - Contrive Datum Insights Pvt Ltd, Yahoo Finance
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/robot-operating-system-ros-market-185800895.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABObRvrlBrezW4U9_OnjLca6MK_rXo9aQIThoF7JHOZIMzavHuEvW1sJztieBCg9oMHGXSaG_K9qtLtS2F7eaLYd2k2OxF7MxPiTWE3ZrG3I4-Lp5p5FYOYJKCdwMq0Zuw4gmJ3_CYEmYdoef_itOQCUbRvP_30K_755T8FRc7N5&guccounter=2
“ROS-Industrial Americas Consortium celebrates 10th annual meeting at Automate 2023” - Southwest Research Institute, EurekAlert
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/989795