The Office of Industrial Economics, Ministry of Industry, sees the urgency to develop the strategy to increase industrial efficiency by using a manufacturing automation system in 2015 to support the change in manufacturing processes from the typical industry standard machines to computer/electronics-controlled machines. The automation system will help increase the speed, precision, and autonomy to reduce costs, especially the cost of a minimum wage rise. Also, the industry will have more production capacity and efficiency to produce quality products to maintain customer satisfaction and be able to compete at international levels.

Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO) acts as a project advisor to study overall circumstances and propose guidelines for the development of the industry and industrial production technology in the present and near future.   The institute also analyzed the need to implement the manufacturing automation system in the big picture and in each field and the obstacles that have impeded the use of automation systems to increase the efficiency to fulfill the five-year national industrial development master plan (2015-2019).

National Health Security Office (NHSO) has an important mission to implement information technology to help respond to cases and operations more effectively. Thus, the Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO) has developed Information Technology Master Plan Phase 4 through survey research and a comparative study of information technology systems that can cover all steps and processes of the National Health Security System. The institute proposed NHSO a useful plan and guidelines to improve its information technology systems to fulfill its vision and mission. The development of Information Technology Master Plan Phase 4 focuses on removing unnecessary steps and implementing an automation system to reduce employee workloads and increase speeds to accomplish the vision stated in the strategic plan for the Year 2012-2016.

Today, robotics and automation play a very important role in increasing production capacity in the industrial sector and improving the quality of human life. Robots will change the world in the near future. Thus, many countries have planned a strategy relating to robotics to prepare for competitions. The first step is to develop people with knowledge of robotics and automation along with the technology. Therefore, the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI) assigned Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO) to research on the demand for robotics and automation talents and technology, especially in manufacturing and service industry, and technologies which are crucial for the development of robotics and automation in Thailand’s industry and education. The proposes are to develop people with expertise in robotics and automation and to build knowledge and technology in robotics and automation which are suitable for Thailand.

National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) recognized the importance of learning and knowledge of robotics and automation that will lead to innovations and industrial development. Thus, NSTDA has assigned the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) and National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) to plan the robot strategy. FIBO was appointed as an expert with the following responsibilities.

(1) To study the status and trends of robotics and automation systems in various fields

(2) To study and determine the direction, goal, strategy, and activity related to robotics and automation in Thailand for 1-5 years

(3) To study the expected economic value to be obtained from the proposed strategy and action plan

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (@M), which is a part of the Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO), was aware that Thailand’s industry will be ready for the ASEAN community if employees have the knowledge and skills. Theoretical and practical training from experts is key to equip employees with the appropriate knowledge and skills to do their job efficiently. Thus, the center offered technical training on an automated manufacturing system in preparation for the ASEAN community. After surveys, topics that employees are interested in and want to learn more are a machine vision system, finite element analysis, and how to use microcontrollers in a manufacturing control system.

As assigned by the Office of Industrial Economics, Ministry of Industry, Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO) has researched guidelines to enhance Thailand’s creative print media industry by developing a conceptual framework to identify the scope and describe the definition of the creative economy for the print media industry. FIBO used a method of in-depth analysis and situation analysis to study strategies and incorporated value chain analysis or SWOT to identify important issues that affect the ability to compete.  The best practice analysis, gap analysis, and market positioning were also used to prepare the strategic and action plans for the development of Thailand’s print media industry.

The Office of Industrial Economics, an agency that works for industrial development, sees the need to develop a strategy for the food packaging industry and policies for the development of the food packaging industry. Thus, the government and related private sectors will be able to plan the production or develop their policy to attract investment and increase the ability to export products.  Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO) has developed the strategy for the food packaging industry that aims for sustainable growth. The project has cooperated with entrepreneurs, institutes, associations, executives, and scholars from the government and private sector to gain data and opinions.

The Office of Industrial Economics, an agency that works for the industrial development and reminds entrepreneurs of risks and difficulties, is aware of the need to develop a strategy for the development of print media business, which private sectors in paper and print media industry have agreed. Thus, the government and related organizations will be able to plan their policy and set their role to support and develop the print media industry in the current socio-economic circumstances. Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO) was assigned to develop the strategy for the sustainable growth of the print media industry. The project has cooperated with entrepreneurs, institutes, associations, executives, and scholars from the government and private sector to gain data and opinions.

Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), Ministry of Education, kicked off a pilot project and Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, distributed tablets among Mathayom 1 (Grade 7) students, who were enrolled in 2013 academic year, to be used as teaching equipment to enhance learning experiences. Four schools had participated in the pilot project, Samsen Wittayalai School, Wat Ratchathiwat School, Taweethapisek School, and Horwang School.

Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO) took the project to search for models to implement innovations in the industry. It is the research to develop a model that implements and adapts innovations to a specific industry. FIBO selected the canned pineapple business and purposed four innovations: (1) A machine to sort out, cut the top and the end, drill the core, and peel pineapples (2) An automated machine to sort colors (3) Implementation of computer systems to control production processes, for example, sterilizers and (4) waste reduction to reduce water and pineapples.

According to the study by the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) in the fiscal year 2005, most entrepreneurs in the HDD segment are foreign investors. The government did not have a strategy or master plan to increase the number of Thai HDD entrepreneurs. Besides government support to attract investors, other countries have continuously developed their technology and manufacturing processes. Thailand needs to increase the capacity of production and support from the government to prevent manufacturers to relocate their operations to other countries. Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO) was assigned to research on mechanisms to support and increase the number of entrepreneurs in Thailand’s Hard Disk Drives (HDD) industry. Laws, regulations, action plans, policies, and mechanisms related to Thailand’s industrial development were taken into consideration to determine the consistency and possibility.

FIBO then researched the needs of the HDD entrepreneurs including demand, supply and various factors that challenged investors who wish to invest in 3 groups of sub-industries:  1. Precision Tooling and Plastic Group 2. Automation Equipment Group and 3. Indirect Material Group. The findings helped create guidelines to support entrepreneurs and suggested mechanisms and activities for the development of Thailand’s HDD industry.

Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO) cooperated with Research and Design Service Center (REDEK) and Graduate School of Management and Innovation (GMI), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, with the support from the office of Bangkok Fashion City Project, Ministry of Industry, to increase the ability to compete in the fashion industry for shoes and supporting materials. The project offered basic training and consultations to increase the ability to compete in the market for 120 enterprises. There are 3 programs for consultation.

Program 1: Branding and how to develop the existing brands to gain acceptance from both Thai and global markets

Program 2: Product development and design to make up-to-date products and gain the market’s acceptance

Program 3: Development of raw materials and decorations in terms of quality and form to meet the needs of the shoe industry and add more values to the materials

To encourage and support entrepreneurs to improve their technological capacity to increase the competitiveness, the program aims to give executives knowledge of technology planning and development, train employees to solve problems with technology, and help small and medium enterprises to identify their technology needs and develop their strategy for technology advancement.

Institute of Field Robotics (FIBO) has shared how to increase capacity and change technology into innovations for 9 years since MDICP batch 5 to batch 13. We have been known and trusted by enterprises who come to us for advice.