A CASE STUDY TOWARD AMR SYSTEM AT ASIA FARM FOOD &

BEVERAGE (M) SDN BHD ON OPERATION PERFORMANCE.

MUHAMMAD AMIRULDIN ZHARIF BIN ZULKAPLI

57212121361
2023

UNIVERSITI KUALA LUMPUR

FEBRUARY 2023

i
 MUHAMMAD AMIRULDIN ZHARIF BIN ZULKAPLI

57212121361

Report Submitted to Fulfill the Partial Requirements for the Bachelor

of Industrial Logistics University Kuala Lumpur

FEBRUARY 2023

ii
 DECLARATION

I declare that this is my original work and all references have been cited

adequately as required by the University.

Date: Signature: …................................................

Full Name: MUHAMMAD AMIRULDIN

ZHARIF BIN ZULKAPLI

ID Number: 57212121361

iii
 APPROVAL PAGE

I have supervised and examined this report and verify that it meets the
program and University’s requirements for the Bachelor in Industrial Logistics
(Hons)

Date: Signature: …………...........................................

Full Name: DR YONG SALMAH BINTI NASIR

Official Stamp:

iv
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I would like to thank God, for letting me through all the

difficulties. I have experienced your guidance day by day.

I also would like to acknowledge and give my warmest thanks to my

supervisor Dr. Yong Salmah Binti Nasir, Senior Lecturer of Industrial
Logistics at University of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Institute of Industrial
Technology (MITEC) for being my supervisor that who made this work
possible. Her guidance and advice carried me through all the stages of
writing my project with patience.
Next, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to my fantastic
parents for always provide me the positivity and constant moral support
which enlighten my perseverance to complete my Final Year Project.
Besides that, thanks to all my fellow friends who contribute idea in this Final
Year Project completion either directly or indirectly.
Finally, I am grateful to University Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of
Industrial Technology for providing me the best facilities and academic
support which help me during the undergoing process of this research.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION ............................................................................................. iii

APPROVAL PAGE ......................................................................................... iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................. v
ABSTRAK ..................................................................................................... xii
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................13
1.1 Introduction .............................................................................................13
1.2 Research Background ............................................................................14
1.3 Research Problem ..................................................................................16
1.4 Research Objective ................................................................................18
1.5 Research Question .................................................................................18
1.6 Scope of Study .......................................................................................18
1.7 Significance of Research ........................................................................19
1.8 Conceptual Framework...........................................................................20
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ..........................................................21
2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................21
2.2 Overview on Autonomous Mobile Robotic ..............................................21
2.2.1 AMRs Performance in intralogistics .....................................................23
2.2.2 Goods handling ...................................................................................24
2.3 Smart Manufacturing ..............................................................................25
2.3.1 Enhance safety ....................................................................................26
2.3.2 Smart Manufacturing Management System .........................................27
2.4 Lean operation ........................................................................................28
2.4.1 Methods ...............................................................................................29
2.4.1.1 Profiling the Current State ................................................................30
2.4.1.2 Evaluate Current State .....................................................................30
2.4.1.3 Develop Improvement Plan ..............................................................30
2.5 Operation Performance ..........................................................................31
2.5.1 AMR in production networks ................................................................31
2.6 Conclusion ..............................................................................................33
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY ...................................................................33

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3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................33
3.2 The Research Process ...........................................................................34
3.3 Philosophical Concept and Research .....................................................35
3.3.1 Selected Philosophical Concept in Research ......................................37
3.4 Overview of Research Study ..................................................................37
3.5 Population and Sampling ........................................................................38
3.5.1 Qualitative Data ...................................................................................39
3.6 Data Collection .......................................................................................39
3.6.1 Primary Data ........................................................................................40
3.6.2 Secondary Data ...................................................................................41
3.6.3 Semi-Structure Study...........................................................................41
3.6.4 Interview Questions .............................................................................42
3.6.5 Interview Procedure .............................................................................43
3.7 Data Analysis ..........................................................................................44
3.7.2 Themes for Structured Interview ..........................................................47
3.8 Gantt Chart of Final Year Project 1 .........................................................49
3.8.1 Gantt Chart of Final Year Project 2 ......................................................50
3.9 Conclusion ..............................................................................................51
CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION ...............................................51
4.1 Introduction .............................................................................................51
4.2 Participant Demographic Characteristic..................................................51
4.3 Research Findings and Discussion on Research Question ....................52
4.3.1 Objective 1: To Determine Smart Systems Towards
Operation Performance at Asia Farm Food & Beverage (M) Sdn
Bhd. ..............................................................................................................53
4.3.1.1 Theme 1: Lean Operation system .....................................................54
4.3.1.2 Theme 2: Autonomous Mobile Robotic system (AMRs) ....................56
4.3.1.3 Smart Manufacturing ........................................................................57
4.3.2 Objective 2: To Study Implementation AMR Systems
Application in ................................................................................................58
4.3.2.1 Operation Efficiency ..........................................................................59
4.3.2.3 Cost saving .......................................................................................61
4.4 Summary of The Findings .......................................................................61

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4.5 Conclusion ..............................................................................................64
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ............................65
5.1 Introduction .............................................................................................65
5.2 Restatement of Objectives ......................................................................65
5.2.1 To Determine Smart Systems Towards Operation
Performance at Asia Farm Food & Beverage (M) Sdn Bhd. .........................65
5.2.2 To Study Implementation of AMRS Towards Operation
Performance .................................................................................................66
5.3 Recommendation ...................................................................................66
5.3.1 Recommendation for The Company ....................................................66
5.3.2 Recommendations for Future Research ..............................................69
5.4 Limitation of Research ............................................................................69
5.5 Conclusion ..............................................................................................70
APPENDIX A: TRANSCRIPT .......................................................................74
APPENDIX B: MJIT ......................................................................................80
APPENDIX C: TURNINIT .............................................................................87
APPENDIX D: Photo with respondent at Asia Farm Food and
Beverage Factory .........................................................................................94
APPENDIX E: Production operation line at Asia Farm Food and
Beverage Factory .........................................................................................94
APPENDIX F: Material Handling Equipment ................................................95
APPENDIX G: Voice Recording with Respondent During Interview .............95

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1: Interview Questions .....................................................................42

Table 3.2: Interview Session Details……………………………………………44

Table 3.3: Gantt Chart for Final Year Project 1 .............................................49

Table 3.4: Gantt Chart for Final Year Project 2 .............................................50

Table 4.2: Summary of the Findings .............................................................62

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure1.1: Location of headquarters……………………………………………16

Figure 1.2: Location of manufacture…………………………………………...16

Figure 1.3: Conceptual Framework………………………………………….....20

Figure 2.1: smart manufacturing handling process ......................................24

Figure 2.2: AMR system ..............................................................................24

Figure 2.3: smart manufacturing advantageous ...........................................26

Figure 2.4: methods of lean operation ..........................................................29

Figure 2.5: Comparison between AGV and AMR.………………….…………32

Figure 3.1: basic stages of the interview process……………………………..42

Figure 3.2: Procedure of Data Analysis in Qualitative Research..................45

Figure 3.3: theme ii ......................................................................................47

Figure 3.4: theme iii ......................................................................................48

Figure 4.1: bar chart of research objective 1 ................................................54

Figure 4.2: bar chart of research objective 2 ................................................59

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 ABSTRACT

Automated Material Handling and Retrieval (AMR) systems have

revolutionized the way industries operate by introducing autonomous robots
that can navigate and manipulate objects in dynamic environments. While
AMR systems have predominantly been implemented in large-scale
industries, their potential benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) are increasingly being recognized. This paper aims to study about
application of AMR systems and explore their potential applications and
advantages specifically tailored to the SME sector. The study presented in
this thesis begins by highlighting the significance of SMEs in the global
economy and their unique operational challenges. It then introduces the
AMR systems, including autonomous navigation, object detection and
manipulation, and integration with existing warehouse management systems.
The abstract emphasizes that AMR systems offer SMEs the opportunity to
streamline their material handling processes, enhance operational efficiency,
and increase productivity, leading to improved competitiveness in the market.

The abstract further discusses the key advantages of AMR systems for
SMEs, such as flexibility, scalability, and adaptability to changing demands. It
also addresses potential concerns related to cost, implementation
complexity, and workforce training, highlighting the need for tailored solutions
and effective change management strategies that can be use at Asia Farm
Food and Beverages Pte. Ltd. For the methodology, the researcher uses the
Qualitative method where the researcher will conduct a site visit as well as
an interview with the head director of the company. With The results, the
researcher able to provide suggestions to the company Asia Farm Food and
Beverages Pte. Ltd. to improve the quality of their warehouse management.

Keywords: AMR systems; material handling; operation performance; SME

sector.

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 ABSTRAK

Sistem Pengendalian dan Pengambilan Bahan Automatik (AMR) telah

merevolusikan cara industri beroperasi dengan memperkenalkan robot
autonomatik yang boleh menavigasi dan memanipulasi objek dalam
persekitaran yang dinamik. Walaupun sistem AMR kebanyakannya telah
dilaksanakan dalam industri berskala besar, potensi manfaatnya untuk
perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) semakin diiktiraf. Kertas kerja ini
bertujuan untuk memberikan gambaran keseluruhan sistem AMR dan
meneroka potensi aplikasi dan kelebihannya yang khusus disesuaikan
dengan sektor PKS. Kajian yang dibentangkan dalam tesis ini bermula
dengan mengetengahkan kepentingan PKS dalam ekonomi global dan
cabaran operasi mereka yang unik. Ia kemudiannya memperkenalkan
konsep sistem AMR dan keupayaannya, termasuk navigasi autonomi,
pengesanan dan manipulasi objek, dan penyepaduan dengan sistem
pengurusan gudang sedia ada. Abstrak menekankan bahawa sistem AMR
menawarkan peluang kepada PKS untuk menyelaraskan proses
pengendalian bahan mereka, meningkatkan kecekapan operasi dan
meningkatkan produktiviti, yang membawa kepada peningkatan daya saing
dalam pasaran.
Abstrak selanjutnya membincangkan kelebihan utama sistem AMR untuk
PKS, seperti fleksibiliti, skalabiliti, dan kebolehsuaian kepada perubahan
permintaan. Ia juga menangani kebimbangan yang berpotensi berkaitan
dengan kos, kerumitan pelaksanaan dan latihan tenaga kerja, menonjolkan
keperluan untuk penyelesaian yang disesuaikan dan strategi pengurusan
perubahan yang berkesan yang boleh digunakan di Asia Farm Food and
Beverages Pte. Ltd. Bagi metodologi, pengkaji menggunakan kaedah
Kualitatif di mana pengkaji akan melakukan lawatan tapak serta temu bual
dengan ketua pengarah syarikat. Daripada hasil yang diperoleh, pengkaji
dapat memberikan cadangan kepada syarikat Asia Farm Food and
Beverages Pte. Ltd. untuk meningkatkan kualiti prestasi operasi mereka.

Kata kunci: AMR sistem; sistem pengendalian; prestasi operasi; SME

sektor.

xii
 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

In general, robots for industry purpose were introduced to achieve increasing

elaborate tasks. They occur in tedious and repetitive tasks such as welding,
painting, moving, or cutting with incredible precision. But their classic
commercial robots were suffering from a fundamental disadvantage, a lack of
mobility. In contrast, mobile robots were introduced to be able travel
throughout the manufacturing plant to help flexibly with manufacturing
processes. Fixed robots or robotic manipulators commonly operate in zones
where humans cannot go. Rather, mobile robot share space with humans in
human environments and act like robots. These robots are not developed for
mobility reasons, but due to their autonomy, their ability to maintain a sense
of position and navigate without human intervention is paramount (Wang. W.
2023).

This work is focused on the application of autonomous industrial mobile

robots (AMR). It is still a relatively new technology that is gradually finding
use in industry, but also in other sectors. The biggest advantages of
autonomous robots include their independence and ability to orient
themselves in space, without the need for external guidelines with the aid of
advanced sensors and virtual space mapping, these technologies have
found valuable applications in storage, transportation, and production fields.
Challenges often arise in terms of processing time and accurate estimation
of position and direction (Elsevier B. V. 2019). Ongoing research is focused
on developing planning algorithms, and many researchers are exploring
various types of modern sensors to effectively sense the map and the actual
position of the robot within the environment, often in conjunction with
simulation techniques. These efforts aim to enhance the performance and
reliability of these technologies for a wide range of applications (Giuseppe F.
2021).
1.2 Research Background

This research conducted for Final Year Project (FYP), and it is based on the
problem that occurs in production and storing operation in the manufactures
which affect the inefficient operation time.
This research is focusing on the study of manufacture operation of
performance at Asia Farm Food & Beverage (M) Sdn. Bhd., Johor Bahru,
Johor. The research highlights the significance of implementing Autonomous
Mobile Robots (AMRs) in modern manufacturing companies. As mass
customization becomes the norm, industries are transitioning from large-
scale production to flexible and customized manufacturing with smaller batch
sizes. Agile manufacturing strategies, particularly adopted by SMEs, are
driving the utilization of collaborative robots in today's factories. However,
there are notable challenges in adopting cobots (collaborative robots) in the
industry, such as the lack of highly trained personnel capable of
programming robots to perform complex tasks and the integration of robot
systems with other smart devices within the factory.

To address these challenges, robotics tasks are categorized based on

common applications, and specific actions are implemented accordingly.
Additionally, a user-friendly interface is developed to enable factory workers
without programming expertise to visualize, analyze, and optimize robotic
workflows prior to deployment. The implementation of autonomous mobile
robots aims to enhance reconfigurability and, consequently, productivity
within the manufacturing system. The system is controlled using an event
driven distributed control system, allowing for efficient coordination and
management of the autonomous mobile robot's operations within the factory
environment (Elsevier B. V. 2019). Manufacturers operation and production
is engaging with autonomous mobile robot by installing the map of the
manufacture beforehand, saving time and making the process safe. With
such map, the robot can more easily detect obstacles which brings flexibility
and more up-time.

14
Implementing autonomous mobile robot is more productive rather than
Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) which would give a better impact and
affects the performance of manufacturing operation whether in production,
assembly, or logistics operations. The use of AMR technology for supplying
assembly lines in the automotive industry, especially for supplying irregularly
consumable parts, represents a great potential for company’s efficiency
improvement. Error can have several explanations, however, avoiding them
is becoming important as people have higher demands for faster and
accurate services. By deploying AMR’s, we can avoid errors associated with
manual operations like stress brought on during peak, new staff and so on

(Holman, D. 2020).

Asia Farm Food & Beverage (M) Sdn Bhd is a Singapore company with its
factory located in Taman Sri Plentong, Johor Bahru. The company started
more than two decades ago in August of 1998. Asia Farm Food & Beverage
(M) Sdn Bhd (ASF) has established itself as the leading home-gown SME
and manufacturer of unique beverages with special emphasis on cordials,
juice concentrates and bottle juice drinks. ASF serve the requirements of
both Singapore and overseas markets across numerous sectors including
hypermarkets, supermarkets, minimarts, convenience stores, food courts,
institutions, hotels, restaurants, caterers, and other general trade sectors.
Whilst ASF has for some years been serving and exporting to overseas
markets which include Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Japan, China, India, Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, etc.
Within next 10 years, they aiming to target 30% market share in Singapore
F&B sectors with Healthier Choice Syrup & Concentrate and 50 countries,
both Retail and F&B segment for export.

15
Figure 1.1: Location of Asia Farm Food and Beverage Pte. Ltd Headquarter
Source: Google

Figure 1.2: Location of Asia Farm Food and Beverage Pte. Ltd. Factory
Source: Google

1.3 Research Problem

A manual process and labor would prone to cause an operation issue that
can have an impact on the speed, efficiency, and productivity of the entire
chain of processes that are linked to it (Holman, D. 2020). Most of the time,
these errors are discovered after the process has begun or even after it has
been completed. And by then, it is usually too late to prevent the error and it
may even be too late to mitigate the damage. However, if a company is
aware of the potential issues that may arise in overall operation, they can
anticipate them and prevent damage from occurring. Even if some of these
processes are automated and appear to be error-free, every operation is
prone to errors and challenges.

16
Exposure to hazardous and harmful production factors poses a significant
risk to the health and well-being of workers, leading to adverse
consequences. Statistical data and research studies have substantiated that
inadequate health and safety measures can be attributed to the inefficiency
of current technical and economic arrangements, imperfect methods for
mitigating the impact of hazardous factors, and insufficient funding allocated
to such endeavors. In a broader context, the implementation of Autonomous
Mobile Robot (AMR) methods aims to safeguard the life and health of
workers while ensuring that risks are maintained at a reasonably low level.
This is accomplished by selecting an optimal combination of technical and
organizational arrangements, determining the appropriate sequence for their
introduction, closely monitoring their implementation, and evaluating the
outcomes achieved. By following these comprehensive measures, the
overall objective is to provide a safe working environment, minimize health
risks, and protect the well-being of workers (International Labor
Organization, 2017).

Unsystematic operation systems could cause a problem during the operation

activities. By introducing a lean operation system, every activity can be
minimalist and lead to increasing in efficiency. Lean operations refer to the
implementation of lean concepts and practices throughout an organization's
operational systems, aiming to enhance flexibility and efficiency by reducing
the total lead time of operations. This lead time comprises the cumulative
processing time and storage time involved. As a business strategy, lean
operations embody the principle of accomplishing more with fewer
resources. It represents a minimalist approach to running a business and
continually improving day-to-day operations (Hornakova. N. 2021).

The implementation of lean operation principles starts with a comprehensive

analysis of an organization's processes, identifying areas where alternative
and more efficient approaches can be adopted to achieve business
objectives. It also involves optimizing tangible elements within the business,

17
 such as the workforce and physical environment, to enhance overall output
and performance. This approach ensures that resources are utilized
effectively and waste is minimized.

By conducting research on lean operations, the findings can provide a more

elaborate and organized understanding of the topic. This research serves as
a foundation for future studies and investigations on the subject, contributing
to the advancement of knowledge and practices in the field of lean
operations.

1.4 Research Objective

The objectives of this research are as follows:

1. To Determine Smart Systems Towards Operation Performance at Asia Farm

Food & Beverage (M) Sdn Bhd.
2. To Study Implementation of AMRS Towards Operation Performance.

1.5 Research Question

To achieve the objectives of the research, this research conducted to answer

the research questions which are:

1. How does the implementation AMRs system affect the overall operation

performance?

2. How to measure the implementation of robotic systems in operation

performance?

1.6 Scope of Study

The scope of this research is focused based on a study on AMR’s

implementation toward operation performance at Asia Farm Food &
Beverage (M) Sdn Bhd., Johor Bahru, Johor. Researcher wants to evaluate

18
the development of technologies and apply lean operation systems to limits
resource consumption without overproduce items and sacrificing quality or
productivity in the product of Asia Farm Food & Beverage (M) Sdn. Bhd.,
Johor Bahru, Johor. Qualitative methods will be adopted due to limited
information on the subject research available in the literature review.
Qualitative method is suitable for the area that has none or limited
information as a method to approach the subject research.

The scope of study for personnel working with an Autonomous Mobile

Robot (AMR) system in a company can encompass a variety of areas. The
personnel need to have a technical understanding about AMR systems about
how the robot is operated, including their sensors, navigation systems, and
control algorithms. This knowledge helps them effectively when
troubleshooting the issue, perform maintenance tasks, and optimize the
robot’s performance.

The field of robotics and AMR systems is rapidly evolving. Therefore,

personnel need to stay updated with the latest advancements, industry
trends, and best practices. Continuous learning through workshops,
conferences, online courses, and engagement with the robotics community
is essential to remain competent in their roles.

1.7 Significance of Research

The significance of this research is that the knowledge and skills acquired at
University Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian Institute of Industrial Technology
(MITEC) can be applied in this study to investigate how AMR implementation
could help in improving the operation to be more efficient with the
development of technology and lean operation process. Furthermore, this
research requires the researcher to learn more about how to apply the
abilities and soft skills acquired during the study process. The researcher
hopes that this study can be a reference for other students to find more

19
information about AMR’s application and learn how utilization the sources
wisely could affect the whole operation. The institution can also take this
research to make it one of the resources for future studies.

Research on AMR systems in the industry is significant for advancing

technology, optimizing system design, ensuring safety, optimizing workflows,
enabling scalability and adaptability practical implementation. This research
leads to improved capabilities, efficiency, and performance of SME industry
by using AMR system approaches, that is tailored to specific industry needs.
It also addresses safety concerns, optimize workflows and enables the
development of industry-specific applications. The researcher ensures
practical viability and successful deployment of AMR systems, allowing
companies to benefit from automation and achieve higher productivity and
operation excellence.

1.8 Conceptual Framework

A conceptual framework serves as the structure or foundation of a research

study or project. It provides a logical and transparent framework for
understanding and investigating a specific study problem or topic.
Researchers rely on a conceptual framework to organize their ideas,
delineate the boundaries of their study, define key concepts, establish
connections between variables, and more. By employing a conceptual
framework, researchers can enhance the clarity and coherence of their
research, facilitating a deeper understanding of the subject matter and
guiding the overall research process.

Figure 1.3: Conceptual Framework

Autonomous Mobile Robotic

• Smart manufacturing
Operation Performance
• Effectiveness of AMRs
• Lean operations

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CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

A literature review is a comprehensive summary of previous research on a

topic. The literature review surveys scholarly articles, books, and other
sources relevant to a particular area of research. The review should
enumerate, describe, summarize, objectively evaluate, and clarify this
previous research. It should give a theoretical base for the research and help
us determine the nature of our research. The literature review acknowledges
the work of previous researchers’ ad in so doing assures the reader that your
work has been well conceived. It is assumed that by mentioning a previous
work in the field of study, that the author has read, evaluated, and
assimilated that work into the work at hand.
The literature review is more than summary of the sources, it has an
organizational pattern that combines both summary and synthesis. A
summary is a recap of the important information of the source, but a
synthesis is a re-organization, or re-shuffling, of that information. It might give
a new with old interpretation or t might trace the intellectual progression of
the field, including major debates and depending on the situation, the
literature review may evaluate the sources and advise the reader on the
most pertinent or relevant. It is also a landscape for the reader, giving their
full understanding of the developments in the field. This landscape informs
the reader that the author has indeed assimilated all previous, significant
works in the field into her or his research.

2.2 Overview on Autonomous Mobile Robotic

Technology has advanced more than ever, especially in robotics. Most

human work is robots such as an industrial robot arm for pick and place,
autonomous vehicles or mobile robots for transporting goods, robots to serve
in restaurants, and many more. An AMR, unlike an autonomous guided
vehicle (AVG), is a robot that It can navigate its environment without
following a predetermined path and does not need to be guided. Supervised

21
by an operator. To interpret and navigate their environment wirelessly, AMRs
use sensors, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computing power.
With the help of sensors, an autonomous mobile robot will navigate around
unexpected obstacles, such as crowds of people, by using navigation
techniques such as collision avoidance to slow down, reroute, or come to a
halt around the obstacle. This Sophisticated technology is often integrated
with the control system of a warehouse, giving AMRs greater flexibility in
creating their own routes within a warehouse or facility (Tannaka. G. M.,
2023).

According to (Gerhad P. Hanke, 2020), AMR In recent times have

become prominence of these technologies has significantly increased due to
their relevance and wide-ranging applications in our modern world. The
capability of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) to navigate without the
requirement of physical or electro-mechanical guidance devices has made
them increasingly promising and valuable. This technology is being adopted
across various sectors, including companies, industries, hospitals,
institutions, agriculture, and even homes, with the aim of enhancing services
and daily activities. As technology continues to advance, there has been a
growing demand for mobile robots due to their ability to perform a wide range
of tasks and provide valuable services. These tasks include carrying heavy
objects, monitoring environments, conducting search and rescue missions,
and much more. The versatility and utility of AMRs make them an integral
part of modern technological advancements and solutions. Based on (Orkan
M.,2017), design of an AMRs is an adaptation for the Robot Operating
System (ROS) is presented, taking into account both the hardware
architecture and electronic communication protocols. The process begins by
defining the specific purpose of the robot, followed by procuring the
necessary components for its construction. Once the electronic and
mechanical hardware components are mounted on the platform, the required
interconnections, data exchange system, and software are installed.
Subsequently, tests are conducted on the platform, and potential solutions
are proposed to address any issues encountered during testing. The

22
obtained results, along with the experience gained during the platform
design, prove to be highly satisfactory and serve as a valuable guideline for
future endeavors in this field.

2.2.1 AMRs Performance in intralogistics

Referring to (Giuseppe F. 2021), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) extend

their utility beyond mere transportation and material handling tasks,
encompassing services such as patrolling and collaboration with human
operators. These mobile platforms, coupled with their autonomous decision-
making capabilities, offer flexible solutions in various operational scenarios.
The autonomy of AMRs involves continuous decision-making to navigate and
operate within the given environment, adhering to applicable rules and
constraints. An inherent challenge arises from the absence of a human
supervisor who possesses detailed knowledge of the system's limits.
Consequently, an AMR must autonomously monitor its own state, detect
potential system faults, and respond appropriately.
AMRs are equipped with hardware and control software that enable
advanced capabilities for autonomous operation. These capabilities
encompass not only navigation and object recognition but also object
manipulation in unstructured and dynamic environments. This allows AMRs
to interact with objects and adapt their actions based on the specific
requirements of the task at hand (Hernandez et al., 2018).

23
 Figure 2.1 Smart manufacturing handling process

Besides machine loading and transportation tasks, AMRs can be used as

assistive systems as they can interact with the human as coworkers. In
warehouses, AMRs carry a few small containers inside the picking areas
then move the next location independently. When all the items have been
collected, the AMRs autonomously travel and reassigned to a new set of
orders (Meller et al., 2018).

2.2.2 Goods handling

Figure 2.2 Example of AMRs

The concept aims to enhance the capabilities of a robot by enabling it to

synchronize its movements with a production line, operating in parallel to the
line. This synchronization allows the robot to perform tasks on products as
they move along a conveyor, essentially simulating a setup where a larger
linear axis serves as the robot's base. However, a limitation of this approach

24
is that the robot may have reduced handling weight when operating at a
distance from its mounting point, unless special construction is implemented
to address this specific use case.

On the other hand, the primary advantage of this setup is the significant
increase in flexibility it offers. Since there are no fixed mounting points, the
robot can be easily utilized at different stations whenever its current position
is not required. Additionally, if necessary, the robot can track and follow the
production line across multiple stations, providing added adaptability and
versatility to the manufacturing process (Hendrik Unger et al., 2018).
(Srikanth K., 2021) High productivity and rapid response delivery have
emerged as top priorities in these warehousing systems. Traditional AS and
RS are typically made up of robotized cranes that automate the storing,
retrieving, and placing of items. Over the years, the AS/RS have developed
into more sophisticated modular systems such as shuttle-based storage and
retrieval systems (SBS/RS). AMRs are equipped with sensors and on-board
intelligence, which enables them to dynamically navigate through a map.
AMR solutions allow the front-line workers to be more engaged with the
picking task. The number of required robots for a specific solution, the
number of pickers to support the bots, and system requirements are among
the most challenging decision problems that impact the ROI of an AMRs
solution.

2.3 Smart Manufacturing

The term "Smart Manufacturing" (SM) was coined by the Smart

Manufacturing Leadership Coalition (SMLC) to describe a set of
manufacturing practices that embrace the emerging capabilities of networked
data and information technology, which are expected to shape future
manufacturing operations. SM encompasses not only the adoption of these
advanced technologies but also the utilization of data-driven manufacturing
intelligence (MI) throughout the entire product life cycle. MI refers to a holistic

25
comprehension of the manufacturing process achieved through extensive
data collection and modeling. It empowers manufacturers to uncover
untapped operational opportunities and enables them to act with enhanced
agility and precision. (Jim D., 2015). According to (Andrew K., 2017), smart
manufacturing has been inspired by the concepts largely developed in the
realm of computing. Though manufacturing will continue benefits from these
concepts and other ideas that will emerge.

Figure 2.3 Smart manufacturing advantageous

They are neither exhaustive nor stationary. The ultimate pillars will be defined
by the research, technology development and applications that will emerge
in the future. The ultimate pillars could be formally defined in number of
ways, including clustering of the research papers, industrial reports, and
information about new technology with text and data mining algorithms. For
example, data has been an integral part of manufacturing. In the era of smart
manufacturing, it has become big data. Production planning and forecasting
have preceded predictive engineering versed in data science of today

2.3.1 Enhance safety

There are many types of industrial operations and environments for which
mobile robots can be used to reduce human exposure hazards, or to

26
increase productivity. Examples include inspection for spills, leaks, or other
unusual events in large industrial facilities, materials handling in computer
integrated manufacturing environments, and the carrying out of inspections,
the cleaning up of spills, or the carrying out of repairs in the radioactive areas
of nuclear plants - leading to increased safety by reducing the potential
radioactive dose to workers. In order to effectively deploy a mobile robot in
an industrial environment it must be safe, reliable, and easy to use in
addition to performing some tasks that is difficult, disagreeable, or expensive
for a human to perform. Conducting survey/inspections within an industrial
environment such as a nuclear or chemical plant environment meets the task
requirements. The task is repetitive and when an anomalous situation is
detected within the plant, the task becomes disagreeable and can be highly
dangerous. From an economic point of view, it is perhaps an idea task for a
mobile robot (SB Nickerson P., 1997).

2.3.2 Smart Manufacturing Management System

Within the manufacturing sector, various types of readiness levels are

employed. The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is utilized to gauge the
maturity of a technology for commercial adoption. Similarly, the
Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) indicates the maturity of
manufacturing process technology. An organization can also utilize the same
scale to assess the maturity and capability of its own technology. However,
these methods do not specifically evaluate a company's readiness to adopt a
particular technology.
On the other hand, the Supply Chain Readiness Level (SCRL) offers a
method for assessing the ability of a supply chain to operate effectively and
achieve specific operational performance targets. SCRL is associated with
fifteen distinct categories, providing a structured roadmap for improving
supply chain design and operations. However, similar to TRL and MRL,
SCRL does not provide a methodology for assessing a specific
organization's readiness to adopt a particular technology (Sangsu C., 2017).

27
2.4 Lean operation

Lean manufacturing, in other words, means manufacturing without waste.

Waste is anything other than the minimum amount of equipment, materials,
parts, and working time, which absolutely are vital to production. Despite
wide knowledge and available resources, many companies are struggling to
become or stay lean. as having two components, just-in-time (JIT)
production system and a respect-for-human system that focuses on active
employee participation, elimination of wasted movement by workers,
consideration for workers’ safety, and self-display of workers’ capabilities by
entrusting them with greater responsibility and authority (Taj S., 2011). Lean
manufacturing is a concept used by management to make organizations
more competitive through creating value and eliminating any inefficiency in
business processes to increase business efficiency and reduce costs
(Garza-Reyes et al., 2012). Lean thinking is recognized as one of the most
effective methodologies to improve business processes (Nicoletti, 2013).
Lean manufacturing is traced back to the Japanese auto manufacturer
Toyota after the Second World War. A system was developed to seek better
ways of doing things and enhance the overall manufacturing process. This
system is called Toyota Production System (Wahab et al., 2013). Lean
operations are including a set of measures for constantly developing and
nurturing the work processes through regular employee trainings, innovative
work methods, quick detection, and correction of errors. Efforts seek better
ways of doing things. One of such ways is the adoption of smart
technologies within business functions. The use of different technological
applications within supply chains helped improve information flow and
resources flow creating a concept of continuous flow.

28
2.4.1 Methods

Figure 2.4 Methods of lean operation design

The figure presented above illustrates the comprehensive architecture of the

readiness level assessment. It provides a visual summary of the steps,

inputs, and outputs involved in the assessment process, as well as the

subsequent development of an improvement plan. Once the plan has been

implemented, the assessment process is iterated to gauge progress and

make necessary adjustments. The primary objective of the proposed

assessment, based on the SMSRL (Smart Manufacturing Systems

Readiness Level) index, is twofold:

1. To assist manufacturers in determining their current readiness level

within the context of Smart Manufacturing Systems.

2. To facilitate the development of a tailored improvement plan that

aligns with the specific needs and goals of each manufacturer.

29
2.4.1.1 Profiling the Current State

The model in question offers a collection of reference activities, information

entities specifying the inputs, outputs, and constraints associated with each
activity, as well as the corresponding software functions. Within this
framework, the Organizational maturity dimension is conceptually defined as
the extent to which manufacturers engage in the activities outlined in the
reference activity model. This dimension is assessed by evaluating the
presence of a formal process managing each activity and determining if
there are dedicated human resources assigned to those activities. Profiling
the current state involves three primary operations: scope determination,
information collection, and consolidation. The scope is defined by identifying
the pertinent activities and stakeholders involved (Kiwook J., 2017).

2.4.1.2 Evaluate Current State

The assessment of the present state involves a comparison between the

profile and the reference activity model, aiming to evaluate the level of
maturity. Various measurement dimensions are utilized to generate
quantitative metrics that facilitate comparison and benchmarking. One such
metric is the counting measure, which calculates the ratio between the
number of elements employed in the current practice and those
recommended in the reference activity model. To establish the activity
maturity score, a scoring scheme inspired by the Capability Maturity Model
Integration (CMMI) is employed (Boonserm K., 2017).

2.4.1.3 Develop Improvement Plan

Subsequently, the evaluation result is utilized to formulate and prioritize an

improvement plan. This plan takes into account the findings from the
evaluation and aims to address any identified shortcomings or areas for
enhancement. In the following section, a classification analysis is presented,
offering a comprehensive recommendation for improvements at a high level.

30
This analysis serves as a guide to assist in identifying the key areas that
should be focused on for achieving desired enhancements (Michael P.,
2017).

2.5 Operation Performance

Over the past two decades, the significance of flexibility in production system
design has been widely recognized (Das 2001; Dolgui and Proth 2010;
Dubey and Ali 2014; Jain et al. 2013; Dubey et al. 2018; Ivanov et al. 2018a).
Additionally, Industry 4.0 has emerged as a crucial factor in enhancing
production flexibility (Cavalcantea et al. 2019; Dubey et al. 2019; Frank et al.
2019; Ivanov et al. 2016, 2019a, b; Ivanov and Dolgui 2019). The concept of
Industry 4.0 aims to revolutionize the conventional production environment
through virtualization, decentralization, and network building (Brettel et al.
2014). This transformation is facilitated by emerging technologies like cloud
operations and industrial Artificial Intelligence, which enable the development
of new flexible production systems (Calzavara et al. 2018; Dubey et al. 2018;
Panetto et al. 2019; Wamba and Akter 2019; Ivanov and Dolgui 2020).

While these advancements have gained significant traction in discrete

manufacturing (Lin et al. 2019), the adoption and utilization of innovative
technologies to enhance flexibility and productivity in process industries (PI)
have lagged behind.

2.5.1 AMR in production networks

Material handling plays a vital role in facilitating the smooth flow of materials
within a production system. In order to enhance the flexibility of such
systems, it becomes necessary to introduce new methods of transportation
and material handling. Conveyors have been a suitable solution from a
material handling perspective, as they enable automatic load transfer,
facilitate the movement of a large number of items, provide ample temporary
buffers, and ensure fast material transportation between workstations (Sule
2009). However, when it comes to routing flexibility, conveyors offer a lower

31
degree of adaptability compared to Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs).

Figure 2.5 Comparison between AGV and AMR

The AMRs depicted in Figure above possess not only compact size and
agility but also offer additional services, such as the ability to be equipped
with conveyor top modules. These crucial characteristics and functionalities
enable the transportation of small containers and individual units, facilitating
the movement of small batches between workstations. Technological
advancements have played a significant role in enhancing the integration of
AMRs within production systems. Traditional conveyor connections between
workstations can be easily replaced and supplemented with simple loading
and unloading stations, along with an AMR system. This system leverages
Artificial Intelligence to navigate through dynamic environments and provide
optimized routing. In recent times, there has been a rise in the
implementation of smart intralogistics systems that employ such AMRs
(Scholz et al. 2016).

32
2.6 Conclusion

This Chapter 2 of this research review is dedicated to examining previous

studies conducted in the field. It encompasses a comprehensive review of
scientific materials, including journals, articles, and news sources. By
analyzing these sources, the researcher gains a deeper understanding of the
study area, providing valuable insight and guidelines for future researcher
endeavor. The chapter involves citing previous studies that share similarities
with the current research, aiding the researcher in establishing a foundation
for their own work.
Additionally, this chapter serves to justify the researcher need to investigate
and further study the identified problem statement. It plays a crucial role in
ensuring the success of the current research by providing a thorough
examination of related literature. The literature review covers essential
aspects such as AMR system, the relation between smart systems and lean
operation management system, as well as advantages of AMR
implementation towards operation performance. This knowledge serves as a
basis for the researcher to build upon, enabling them to contribute to the
existing body of knowledge in a meaningful way.

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

The researcher will go into great depth in Chapter 3 on how this study was
carried out and the techniques employed to collect the information and data.
The researcher will benefit from a description of the methodology employed
when interpreting the methodologies used in this study. It takes a solid
process to create a good outcome. A research methodology is a group of
organized research methods. It acts, in essence, as a manual for research
and best practices. For this research, gathering information and data from
both primary and secondary sources is essential since it will determine
whether the project is succeeding in its aims. Data collection may be done in

33
a few ways. In reality, respondents' participation and suggestions are
necessary to analyze the primary and secondary data gathered.

3.2 The Research Process

This section focuses on the research methodologies and research methods

employed in the field of Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) systems. The
chosen research methodology and research method for this study are
acknowledged and discussed.

The chapter commences with an extensive introduction to research, followed

by an exploration of the research methodologies and research methods
specifically used in the context of AMR systems. A crucial objective is to
establish clear distinctions between research methodology and research
method, as it was observed that many researchers were using these terms
interchangeably. Consequently, the chapter treats the sections on research
methodology and research methods separately to address this issue.

Initially, a section is presented that compares and differentiates between

research methodology and research method. Subsequently, the section on
research methodology delves into various types of research methodologies.
Specifically, it discusses qualitative research methodology and quantitative
research methodology, which are the two main types relevant to this
research. The research methodology employed for this study is thoroughly
discussed, accompanied by a well-justified explanation for the selection of
the particular research method.

Next, the chapter explores research methods in general, providing an

explanation of the research methods suitable for conducting AMR systems
research. A detailed elaboration is provided on the distinctions between
qualitative and quantitative research methods. Since this research utilizes
secondary data sources, a section is dedicated to discussing the disparities
between primary and secondary data sources, highlighting the advantages of
employing secondary data sources for research purposes.

34
Subsequently, the chapter describes the research method utilized for data
collection and analysis, along with a justification for the chosen approach.
Specifically, a combination of case study research method and grounded
theory research method is employed for document analysis of archival data
accessed via the Internet. Descriptive methods are employed to investigate
the opportunities and challenges of utilizing cloud computing with mobile
phones in developing countries.

By following this comprehensive structure, the chapter ensures a thorough

examination of the research methodologies and research methods employed
in the field of AMR systems. The chosen research methodology and
research method for this study are presented, and their rationale and
justifications are provided, ultimately contributing to the advancement of
knowledge in this area.

3.3 Philosophical Concept and Research

The philosophical concept underlying the implementation of an AMR

(Autonomous Mobile Robot) system in the SME (Small and Medium-sized
Enterprises) industry can be attributed to several key ideas.

1. Efficiency and Productivity: One philosophical concept is the pursuit of

efficiency and productivity within the SME industry. Implementing an AMR
system can help streamline operations, reduce manual labor, and
enhance overall productivity. Research in this area can focus on
optimizing the design and deployment of AMR systems to maximize
efficiency gains, minimize downtime, and improve resource allocation.
2. Human-Machine Collaboration: Another important concept is the
integration of human workers with autonomous robots. The aim is not to
replace humans but to augment their capabilities. This concept
emphasizes the collaboration and synergy between humans and robots,
with each entity performing tasks that align with their strengths. Research
can focus on understanding the optimal division of labor between humans
and robots, considering factors such as task complexity, skill
requirements, and decision-making processes.

35
3. Ethical Considerations: The deployment of AMR systems in the SME
industry raises ethical questions and considerations. Philosophical
discussions around the ethical implications of automation, job
displacement, and the impact on human dignity are crucial. Research can
explore ethical frameworks that guide the responsible implementation of
AMR systems, taking into account the well-being of workers, societal
implications, and the promotion of fair employment practices.
4. Human-Centered Design: The concept of human-centered design
emphasizes the importance of designing systems that prioritize user
experience, usability, and user satisfaction. Research in this area can
focus on understanding the specific needs and preferences of SME
workers, considering factors such as ergonomics, safety, and ease of
use. This research can inform the development of intuitive and user-
friendly interfaces for interacting with AMR systems.
5. Adaptability and Learning: The philosophical concept of adaptability and
learning relates to the ability of AMR systems to continuously improve
and adapt to changing environments and tasks. Research can explore
techniques such as machine learning, reinforcement learning, and
cognitive architectures to enable robots to learn from their experiences,
optimize their performance, and handle diverse scenarios encountered in
the SME industry.
6. Sustainability and Responsibility: The concept of sustainability and
responsibility focuses on the environmental impact of technology
deployment. Research can explore ways to design and optimize AMR
systems that minimize energy consumption, reduce waste, and promote
sustainable practices within the SME industry.

These philosophical concepts provide a foundation for researching and

developing AMR systems in the SME industry. By exploring these areas,
researchers can address important considerations related to efficiency,
human-robot collaboration, ethics, design, adaptability, and sustainability,
leading to the responsible implementation of AMR systems that benefit both
the industry and society as a whole.

36
3.3.1 Selected Philosophical Concept in Research

The philosophical concept of "Agency and Autonomy" in research on AMR

(Autonomous Mobile Robot) systems explores the ethical and philosophical
implications of granting autonomy to robots. It involves examining questions
about responsibility, accountability, and decision-making authority in
autonomous robots. Key areas of research may include developing ethical
frameworks, studying human-robot interaction, exploring legal and regulatory
considerations, investigating social implications, and engaging with the
philosophical foundations of consciousness and intentionality. This research
aims to shape the design and implementation of AMR systems in alignment
with ethical principles and societal values.

3.4 Overview of Research Study

This hypothetical research study titled " A Case Study Toward Amr System at
Asia Farm Food & Beverage (M) Sdn. Bhd. On Operation Performance" aims
to address the increasing adoption of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) in
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) by investigating the impact of
AMR systems on operational efficiency and exploring factors influencing
successful human-robot collaboration. The study begins with an introduction
that highlights the significance of improving efficiency and fostering effective
collaboration in the SME sector. A comprehensive literature review is
conducted to identify gaps and research opportunities in the field. Clear
research objectives are established, including investigating the impact of
AMR systems, exploring influencing factors, evaluating employee
perceptions, and identifying best practices for AMR system integration.

The research methodology section describes the approach, design, and

methods employed, such as a mixed-methods approach for data collection
and analysis. The collected data is analyzed to address the research
objectives, and findings related to the impact of AMR systems, factors
influencing collaboration, employee perceptions, and best practices are
presented and discussed. The study's findings are discussed in light of

37
existing literature, providing key insights, implications, and practical
recommendations for SMEs considering AMR system implementation or
aiming to improve collaboration. The study concludes by summarizing the
main findings, emphasizing their significance, and outlining future research
directions. A comprehensive list of references is provided, adhering to the
appropriate citation style. Ultimately, this research study aims to contribute
valuable insights and recommendations for enhancing efficiency and
promoting effective human-robot collaboration in the SME sector through the
adoption of AMR systems.

3.5 Population and Sampling

To finish this study, the researcher must meet with the respondent and
conduct an interview to gather pertinent data regarding the study's subject.
Respondents are people or organizations who have accepted an invitation to
take part in a study. The respondent needs to be knowledgeable and
experienced enough in this field. The respondent, sometimes referred to as a
participant in qualitative research, is a crucial component of the research
process since they can assist the researcher in completing the study by
supplying information and facts throughout the interview session.
Additionally, this is typically employed when there are few experts in the topic
being studied, or when the study focus is in a narrow field or a small group.
When selecting participants for the study from the population, researchers
may also utilize purposeful sampling in this situation. On the other hand,
depending on the nature of the study design and the aims, the objective
sampling approach could prove useful if just a small group of people can
serve as primary data sources. A manager, supervisor, senior manager, or
employee who has been with the organization for a long period may be
chosen by the researcher as a responder. This is because they have more
knowledge for about the changes of industry toward to technology.

38
3.5.1 Qualitative Data

The study's approach of gathering data is qualitative. Any non-numerical or

unquantified data can be subjected to qualitative analysis, which is a
procedure that can come about because of any study plan. It is essential to
review all this data and appreciate its importance. The mechanisms that
underlie behavior and life experiences are thoroughly explored in this
research. In order to give depth and detail, qualitative research aims to
immerse researchers in the phenomena being investigated while gathering
data that offers a full account of the scenario, case, and interactions between
people and objects. Common techniques include focus group analysis,
individual interviews, and observation. The responder is often picked to fill a
quota, and the sample size is typically tiny.

This study collected both primary and secondary data. The major technique
of gathering data for the study was through interviews. You may examine,
comprehend, and explain your beliefs, behaviors, and experiences through
interviews for qualitative research. Meanwhile, secondary data is information
that has been gleaned from sources like books, articles, and websites.
Secondary sources are materials that have previously been collected and
compiled for another purpose.

3.6 Data Collection

As previously stated, the goal of this research is to determine the

effectiveness of AMR systems toward operation performance in SME
industry. Primary data and secondary data were the two research tools used
by the researcher to carry out this study. The approach that the researchers
used to accomplish this study is referred to as the research tools. The
following are the two tools that the researchers will use to collect the data:

1. Initial information: structured interview

2. Secondary data: books, papers, journals, and websites.

39
Based on each theme, the researcher will analyze the information gleaned
from the interviews. In fact, one of the crucial techniques that researchers
must employ to assess the data or information that has been gathered is
data analysis. The process and stage of data analysis will be briefly covered.
The process of data analysis includes making sense of the gathered textual
data. This process involved getting the data ready for analysis, running a
number of analyses, digging ever deeper into the data, summarizing the
data, and elaborating on the details of the data's significance. For this
investigation, the researcher employed NVivo coding as the coding
framework. The transcript will be automatically coded and analyzed by this
programmed. The auto code-based system defines the themes.

3.6.1 Primary Data

A collection of original primary data gathered by the researcher concerning

the research done is referred to as primary data. In order to create specific
comparisons after acquiring research ideas, it is typical to evaluate
secondary data. Reviewing secondary data may also reinforce and improve
the finding of main data. Interviews, surveys, and observations made with a
specific study goal in mind serve as the source of primary data.

To ensure that data and information are maintained securely, the researcher
has discovered strategies for creating data gathering procedures, in which
each activity is carefully reviewed. The researcher employed a qualitative
approach due to the richness of the material they collected from
respondents.

Additionally, this approach gives researchers in-depth written explanations

that are thorough. The information and data collected are thought to be
pertinent for this investigation.

40
Interviews are employed in this study. Interviewing is the process of two or
more persons asking and responding to questions during a conversation
about a certain subject. The purpose of the interview is to collect the required
information and data. An interviewer and an interviewee, often referred to as
a respondent, perform the research, and the method is utilized to collect data
based on that study.

3.6.2 Secondary Data

The researchers must also use secondary data to do their work. Secondary
data is information that researchers have gathered through publications
including journals, books, articles, and websites. Because it might offer
details regarding the research issue, this secondary data is crucial to the
study. Secondary data is previously conducted research that may be used by
the researchers to finish their own work. The information or data gathered
was presented in chapter 2 of this study (Literature Review).

Data for the first and second objectives are gathered via secondary sources.
The research is supported, reinforced, and recognized by the identification of
all pertinent material. The researcher used this strategy to obtain the
required data and information from journals, articles, and websites. Trusted
online library resources are used to refer to journals and articles. The study
is cited in the journal and article. The researcher used websites and the
internet for research support to finish this senior project.

3.6.3 Semi-Structure Study

in qualitative research, interview is one of the most used techniques to

collect information. An interview is a conversation where questions are asked
to collect the information or data. This data can be collected through different
interview method including structured, semi-structured and unstructured
method. Figure: 3.1 shows the basic stages of the interview process.

41
 Figure 3.1: basic stages of the interview process

Identify research Select type of Devise initial

questions interview interview questions

pilot Ethical review sampling

Undertake analysis Write-up

interview

3.6.4 Interview Questions

Below are the interview questions that the researcher will ask to
the interviewee:
Table 3.1: Interview Questions

No. Question
1 What do you know about Smart manufacturing?
2 Do you think that smart manufacturing can benefit your company?
3 How implementation of smart manufacturing can enhance the operation
performance
4 Can smart manufacturing reduce production time?
5 Do you think that smart manufacturing can optimize energy consumption
and contribute to sustainable productivity?
6 What do you know about AMRs system?
7 Do you think that AMR system can improve in material handling within ASF
manufacturer?
8 Did ASF company ever face with safety issue that related to their labor?
Do think AMRs can enhance the safety of the labor?
9 Do think it possible to implement AMRs in the SME industry?
10 How do you think the AMR system can contribute to the industry?

42
11 What do you know about lean operation?
12 Do ASF company practice lean operation?
13 In your opinion, is it important to practice lean operation?
14 what do you think happen to the company that doesn’t practice lean
operations?
15 Do you think lean operations can greatly impact in operation performance?
16 How do you keep the operation performance in the best state?
17 Do ASF company ever face problem with their operations?
18 What is the major bottleneck or constraint in the current operation
19 What kind of approaches that ASF company use to keep the operation
efficiency?
20 Do you think smart manufacturing, AMRs system, and lean operation can
affect positively in ASF operation performance?

3.6.5 Interview Procedure

The researcher conducts the interview session with respondent one via face
to-face at the company that located at No. 18, Jalan Sri Plentong 8, Taman
Perindustrian Sri Plentong, 81750 Masai, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia. The
interview session is done on 27th October 2022. The respondent is
answering the questions that made by the researcher fluently. However,
there is only one respondent that do face-to-face interview because the other
respondents unable to perform the interview in person. So, the other two
respondents do interview using online platform. The table below shows the
interview session details including the respondents name, position, venue,
date and time.

43
 Table 3.2: Interview Session Details

Respondents Respondents Position Venue Date &

Name Time

1 Encik Zaki Manager No. 18, Jalan 16

Bin Mat Sri Plentong 8,
Taman May
Tazan
Perindustrian 2023
Sri Plentong,
81750 Masai, 2.30 pm

JohorTa’zim,

Malaysia

2 Admin of No.18, Jalan Sri 16

Plentong 8,
Logistics Taman May
Mr. Jackie Soo
Perindustrian
Department 2023
Sri Plentong,
81750 Masai, 2.30 pm
JohorTa’zim,
Malaysia

3 Admin of No. 18, Jalan 16

Ms. Anne Lo Quality and Sri Plentong 8,
Safety Taman May
Perindustrian 2023
Department
Sri Plentong,
81750 Masai, 2.30 pm

JohorTa’zim,

Malaysia

3.7 Data Analysis

Data analysis is a crucial step undertaken by researchers to assess and

interpret the information and data collected during a study. After conducting
interviews, the gathered information is transcribed verbatim and recorded in
a word processing document. Data analysis is then carried out through
observation, utilizing the interview session as the chosen method of data

44
collection. This approach enables the researcher to interpret, analyze,
evaluate, describe, record, and observe the behavior and performance of the
company, as mentioned by Suanders et al. (2009). By diligently analyzing
the data, researchers can derive meaningful insights and draw conclusions
that contribute to the overall understanding of the research topic. The steps
to collect the data based on the topic are shown in the Figure 3.3 below:

START

Raw Data

Forming and formulating

data for analyzing

Read and Evaluate the

Verifying the Information and Data
Accurateness
of the Coding the Data (Hand or
Information Computer)

Themes Themes

Interrelating Themes

Interpreting the Meaning

of Themes/Descriptions

END

Figure 3.2: Procedure of Data Analysis in Qualitative Research

45
The interview with the manager of Asia Farm Food and Beverages Pte. Ltd.
factory will be conducted face-to-face, and the researcher will record the
interview while taking note of the important points raised by the manager. To
ensure accuracy and avoid misinterpretation, the responses in the interview
will be transcribed.

The data collected from the interview transcript will be read and evaluated to
gain an overall understanding and analyze the meaning of the questions and
answers. This initial scan helps to assess the information's relevance and
identify key themes.

Next, a detailed analysis will begin by organizing and segmenting the

interview transcript into meaningful text segments. Proper paragraph and
sentence structure will be followed during this categorization process. Once
the data has been transcribed, the researcher will code the data to
categorize the themes for analysis. Relevant responses from the interview
will be obtained, and the coding process can be done manually or using
software like NVivo.

Themes and descriptions will be presented in a table format to compile

evidence from different categories, making it easier to comprehend the
overall findings. The descriptive evidence generated by NVivo coding will
support the research themes. Interpreting the meaning of themes or
descriptions is a crucial step where the collected data and supporting
information are analyzed. Identifying themes is a fundamental aspect of
qualitative research, particularly in the interview method.

Overall, this data analysis process involves conducting face-to-face

interviews, transcribing the responses accurately, evaluating the information,
organizing and coding the data, presenting themes and descriptions in a
table format, and interpreting the meaning behind these themes or
descriptions.

46
3.7.1 Research Procedures

Figure 3.3 Research Procedure

3.7.2 Themes for Structured Interview

SMART
MANUFACTURE

Smart Lean
manufacturing Operations
Effectiveness
of AMRs

Figure 3.4 Theme I

47
 OPERATION
PERFORMANCE

OPERATION SYSTEMS WORKFORCE

Figure 3.5 Theme II

48
3.8 Gantt Chart of Final Year Project 1

Table 3.3 Gantt Chart

Activity Weeks

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Find
Supervisor

Final Year
Project 1
Class
Meeting with
Supervisors

Find Title of
Research

Proposal
Defense with
Panel
Correction of
the research

Completion
of chapter 2

Completion
of chapter 3

Submission
of Draft Final

Submission
of Final
Report and
Presentation

49
3.8.1 Gantt Chart of Final Year Project 2

Table 3.4 Gantt chart

Activity Weeks
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Meeting With
Supervisor for
Progress Update
about FYP 1

Discuss With
Supervisor About
the Possible
Themes

Draft Interview
Questions
Final Check
Interview
Questions with
Supervisor
Interview
Sessions at The
Company

Report writing for

finding and
discussions
Report writing for
conclusion and
recommendation

Submit Draft
Report with
supervisor

Presentation

Correction and
final report
submission

50
3.9 Conclusion

This chapter goes over how to find information for your research. The
researcher chose qualitative as the best method to conduct this research.
Expert sampling, which falls under the purposive sampling technique, is used
by the researcher to specify the research techniques. Primary data comes
from the researcher's investigation, whereas secondary data comes from
published sources such as journals and books. The researchers will conduct
required interviews with the target respondents to collect data and obtain the
results at the end of this research. The finding is expanded upon in Chapter
4.

CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Introduction

Findings and discussion are the most crucial part in the research as this
chapter will shows the findings of the data collection from interview
processes by the researcher based on the topic chose by the researcher.
The researcher also discusses on the findings in this chapter to show the
researcher’s understanding about the research. The data collected come
from the research question which will answer the research objective. In this
chapter, the researcher will separate the data according to the objectives.
Thus, the themes from the result of the coding in NVivo are according to the
objectives. This chapter will include the interview appointments, research
findings and discussion, and summary of the findings to support the research
on the AMRs application can increase operation performance towards ASF
(M) SDN BHD.

4.2 Participant Demographic Characteristic

Participant demographic characteristics encompass specific attributes and

traits of individuals involved in a research study. These characteristics offer
valuable insights into participants' backgrounds, shaping their perspectives,

51
 experiences, and responses. Key demographic characteristics include age,
gender identity (such as male, female, or non-binary), ethnicity and race
(including categories like White, Black, Asian, Hispanic), socioeconomic
status (influenced by income, occupation, and education level), education
level, occupation, geographic location, primary language(s) spoken, marital
status (single, married, divorced, widowed), and religious affiliation or beliefs.

Collecting and analyzing demographic data enables researchers to grasp the

diversity and traits within their participant sample. This information aids in
providing context to research findings, identifying potential patterns or
disparities among participant groups, and determining the generalizability or
limitations of the study to specific populations. Ethical considerations and
maintaining confidentiality play vital roles in collecting and reporting
participant demographic information, ensuring the privacy and
trustworthiness of the study. The demographic characteristic is shown in the
table below:

Table 4.1: demographic characteristic

DEMOGRAPHIC

Respondent’s Age Gender Position Year/Experience

Mr Zaki Bin Mat 53 Male Manager 20 years
Tazan
Mr Jackie Soo 32 Male Admin Of
Logistics 5 years
Department
Ms Anne Lo 35 Female Admin
Quality and 4 years
Safety
Department

4.3 Research Findings and Discussion on Research Question

The questions have been divided according to the objectives that consist of
five questions for each objective. The answer from the interview session will
be analyzed for accurate and better result. Questions below was answered

52
by three respondents according to their experiences and knowledge while
working at Asia Farm Food & Beverage (M) Sdn Bhd.

4.3.1 Objective 1: To Determine Smart Systems Towards Operation

Performance at Asia Farm Food & Beverage (M) Sdn Bhd.

The findings for this objective are the company determination about smart
manufacturing toward their operation performance. Thus, this shows similar
findings between this research and previous research on Chapter 2.
According to Ndubisi et al. (2020), small, medium, and micro businesses
(SMMEs) have accelerated economic growth in Asia. They are adopting
industry 4.0 technology to enhanced their performance following the
business landscape. Industry 4.0 is the latest development for the current
trend in manufacturing is moving towards the utilization of various
technologies with the aim of creating Smart Manufacturing Systems (SMS).
These systems incorporate semiautonomous industrial techniques,
automation, data exchanges, cyberphysical systems (CPS), cloud
computing, robotics, big data, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things
(IoT). The main objectives of Industry 4.0, which encompasses these
advancements, revolve around the convergence of people, technologies,
and innovation within the manufacturing sector. Notable progress has been
made in the field of manufacturing and data analytics technologies (Zhang et
al., 2019; Qu et al., 2019). The focus has largely shifted towards digital
manufacturing systems and the integration of artificial intelligence techniques
to transform these systems into intelligent and autonomous entities (Edgar
and Pistikopoulos, 2018).
As a result of the implementation of SMS, a substantial amount of data is
generated. However, the utilization and quantity of this data can vary
significantly depending on the industry, its scale, and the specific operations
involved (Kusiak, 2019).

53
 Figure 4.1: Bar Chart for Research Objective 1

4.3.1.1 Theme 1: Lean Operation system

Based on the bar chart on Figure 4.1, it shows that the highest percentage
coverage among all the themes in objective one is the lean operation which
percentage coverage of 8.70% besides the other themes are under 4%
coverage. It shows that ASF company are practicing most of lean operation
system to maintain their operation performance. Lean operations are
optimizing and utilizing every resource that they have. As a SME company,
Lean operations is one of the best ways to maintain their operation efficiency.
Thus, the company focus on reducing non-value-added activities creating
straight production line to reduce excessive movement that lead to idle time.
This statement can be proved by the answers given from the respondents
during the interview.

54
i) Question: Do ASF company practice lean operation?

a) Respondent 1 – (Mr. Zaki) stated that:

Reference 1 – 2.59% Coverage

” The core principle of lean operations is to create value for customers by
minimizing waste and maximizing productivity. It focuses on reducing
nonvalue-added activities, and continuously improving operations by doing

so, organizations can enhance efficiency.” (P1, male)

Reference 2 – 1.34% Coverage

“Yes, we do practice several methods of lean operations in our
manufacturing processes. For example, we do layout planning in our
production line. This method is about creating a straight production line that
can reduce excessive movement that can cause an idle time.” (P1, male)

ii) Question: in your opinion, is it important to practice lean operation?

a) Respondent 1 – (Mr. Zaki) stated that:

Reference 1 – 1.64% Coverage

” Yes, it is very important. There is a several methods that same as lean
operations that we practiced that called kaizen and kanban methods. It
involves small changes implemented by everyone in the organization to
enhance processes and optimize performance” (P1, male)

iii) Question: What do you think happen to the company that doesn’t practice
lean operations?

a) Respondent 1 – (Mr. Zaki) stated that:

Reference 1 – 2.25% Coverage

” Without implementing lean principles, the company is more likely to have a
process that are inefficient and prone to be waste. For example, excessive

55
inventory, long lead times, unnecessary waiting times, and overproduction.”
(P1, male)

4.3.1.2 Theme 2: Autonomous Mobile Robotic system (AMRs)

The next bar is AMR system with coverage of 3.54% from the bar chart. AMR
systems is a new system that used an AI and advance technologies that can
greatly impact in company operation efficiency. As SME business, there’s a
big constraint to implement AMRs that is Startup capital. Financial
management is very important to sustain their businesses. Many SME
businesses choose to hire labor force than upgrading to new technology
because they are easier to find and its rather cheap for short term contract.
Labor is easy to change but it’s hard to find a skilled labor force. They could
cause more cost than advance technologies by doing a repetitive mistake
and insurance coverage for their safety and health. If the company don’t
implement a proper systems and technology, it can prevent their productivity
growth. This statement has been stated from the respondents during the
interview session.

i) Question: How do you think the AMR system can contribute to the
industry?

a) Respondent 1 (Mr. Zaki) stated that:

Reference 1 – 0.69% Coverage

“Implementation of AMR system can improve our material handling by having
an efficient transport. AMRs can autonomously transport the material or
product within the manufacturing facility. It can navigate through complex
layout, avoiding obstacles and adjusting roues as needed.” (P1, male)

Reference 2 – 0.77% Coverage

“By increasing efficiency and productivity. It can automate repetitive and
labor-intensive tasks, such as material handling. By doing so, they can

56
operate continuously and efficiently, reducing human error and fatigue.” (P1,
male)

ii) Question: Do you think AMRs can enhance the safety of the labor?

a) Respondent 1 (Ms. Anne) stated that:

Reference 1 – 2.08% Coverage

“AMRs can greatly enhance the safety of the labor because it can perform

every task that hard through human labor.” (P3, female)

4.3.1.3 Smart Manufacturing

The last smart systems that can be implement in the SME industry from the
bar chart is Smart Manufacturing systems. The coverage for Smart
Manufacturing is 1.51%. Smart manufacturing has the lowest coverage
compared to other elements. However, smart manufacturing is still an
advance system that can affect the operation performance in ASF company.
The company has their own smart systems like AI programming for their
machinery. Keeping up with new and latest technologies might positively
affect their company through their whole processes chain from raw material
to end user. For now, they use Automatic Generated Vehicles (AGV) and AI
software programming for ordering and item sorting that use less cost and
easy to learn. Most of labor can’t handle advance technologies that become
one of the biggest constraints to not upgrade to latest technology.

i) Question: Do you think Smart Manufacturing systems can benefit your

company?

a) Respondent 1 – (Mr. Jackie) stated that:

Reference 1 – 0.72% Coverage

57
” Smart manufacturing clearly can give a significant impact in our company.

For example, it can enhance our operation efficiency and productivity.” (P1,

male)

ii) Question: Can Smart Manufacturing reduce your production time?

a) Respondent 1 – (Mr. Zaki)

Reference 2 - 0.79% Coverage

“Yes, smart manufacturing has great potential to reduce production time
significantly. By leveraging advanced technologies, smart manufacturing can
optimize various aspects of the production cycle and leading to fast and
more efficient operations.” (P1, male)

4.3.2 Objective 2: To Study Implementation AMR Systems Application in

Operation Performance

The findings for this objective are the company is determining a several
aspects before implementing the AMR systems in the ASF company such as
operation efficiency, enhance safety, and cost saving. Thus, the findings
related to the literature review from Chapter 2. According to (Winkelhaus, S.;
Grosse, E.H.; Morana, S., 2021) studied an AMR-assisted Picker-to-Parts
system, with the aim of minimizing the total tardiness of orders with respect
to the due date. Traditionally, an AGV system operates with a central
hierarchical structure and is reductive to changes. AMRs operate
autonomously, which implies decentralized decisions, such as dynamic
routing and scheduling. Figure 4.2 below shows the bar chart based on the
respondents’ answers for research objective two which is the factor that has
to be determine by the company before implement AMR system.

58
 Figure 4.2: Bar Chart for Research Objective 2

4.3.2.1 Operation Efficiency

The first Factor that need to determine by ASF company Sdn Bhd before
implementing AMRs is operation efficiency. The coverage for operation
efficiency is the highest which is 4.66% coverage. AMRs highly increase
operation efficiency but it required a higher upfront because AMRs consist of
various high-quality component to ensure reliable and efficient operation in
industrial environments. They often offer long-term benefits such as
increased productivity, flexibility, and improved safety.

i) Question: How do you AMRs can improve in material handling within ASF

manufacturer?

a) Respondent 1 (Mr. Zaki) stated that:

Reference 1 – 0.87% Coverage

“It’s a robotic system that are capable to navigating and performing task in an
environment without human intervention. It also can adapt to changes in their
surrounding or workspace ecosystems.” (P1, male)

59
Reference 2 – 1.30% Coverage
“AMRs can autonomously transport the material or product within the
manufacturing facility. It can navigate through complex layout, avoiding
obstacles and adjusting routes as needed. This can reduce the time required
for transporting items between different areas, such as storage areas,

production lines, or quality control stations.” (P2, male)

Reference 3 – 2.49% Coverage

“AMRs can automate repetitive task and labor-intensive task such as
material handling. By doing so, they can operate continuously and efficiently,
reducing human error and fatigue.” (P3, male)

4.3.2.2 Enhance Safety

The next factor is in safety approach toward ASF company workforce. The

coverage for these facts is 3.11% which following the previous factors.

Labor safety is very important especially at the workplace. By reducing the

manual material handling, AMRs are designed to handle material
transportation tasks autonomously. Eliminating or reducing the need for
manual material handling by workers. This helps to minimize the risk of
physical strain that can occur when lifting or moving heavy objects. This
contribute statement has been proven by the respondents answer during the
interview.

i) Question: Did ASF company ever face with safety issue that related to their

labor? Do you think AMRs can enhance the safety of the labor?

a) Respondent 1 (Ms. Anne) stated that:

Reference 1 – 2.10% Coverage

“AMRs can greatly enhance the safety of the labor because it can perform
every task that hard to do with human labor.” (P1, female)

60
Reference 2 – 0.68% Coverage
“By changing to AMRs, we can reduce idle time and increase the safety and

efficiency during operation activities.” (P2, male)

Reference 3 – 0.33% Coverage

“Reducing human error and fatigue.” (P3, female)

4.3.2.3 Cost saving

Other than that, AMRs can provide cost efficiency. The coverage for
temperature maintenance according to the bar chart is 0.61%. It placed in
the top three in the bar chart. So, the company need to find a way to
implement AMRs without huge money. It only needs one-time upfront money
for longterm benefits. The respondent told this statement during the interview
session.

i) Question: Do you think AMRs can be cost saving?

a) Respondent 1 (Admin of Quality And safety Department) stated that:

Reference 1 – 0.61% Coverage

“AMRs can affect cost by labor saving. With AMRs, there is no need to
employ workers solely for material transportation, which can lead to cost
saving in the long run”

4.4 Summary of The Findings

In this section, the researcher has gathered in a table for the objectives,
themes and keywords of the findings based on the data that has been
collected, transcribed, and analyzed, and linked to previous research. This is
to make the reader easier in understanding the findings and also to compare,
summaries, and reveal the proper findings of the research. From the
keywords of findings stated below, the researcher can assume and conclude

61
whether the themes have achieved the objectives of the research. Table 4.2
shows the summary of the findings.

Table 4.2: Summary of the Findings

Objectives Themes Keywords of Findings

1.To Determine Theme 1: Lean Operation • Practice layout planning

System
Smart Systems • Reduce excessive
Question:
Towards movement
1) Do ASF company • Core principle of lean
Operation
practice lean operation. operations
Performance 2) Question: in your
at Asia Farm opinion, is it important
Food & to practice lean
Beverage (M) operation.
Sdn Bhd.
3) What do you think
happen to the company
that doesn’t practice
lean operations?

Theme 2: AMR system • Increase productivity and

efficiency
Question:
• Enhance safety
1) How do you think the
• Improve material handling
AMR system can
contribute to the
industry?
2) Do you think AMRs can
enhance the safety of
the labor

62
 Theme 3: Smart • Enhance operation
Manufacture • Optimize various aspect
that led to fast and
Question:
efficient production

1) Do you think Smart

Manufacturing systems
can benefit your
company?
2) Can Smart
Manufacturing reduce
your production time

2. To Study Theme 1: Operation

Implementation Efficiency • Performing task
of AMRS without human
Towards intervention
Question:
Operation
• Navigate through
Performance
1) How do you AMRs can complex layout, avoiding
improve in material & adjusting as needed.
handling within
• Continuously
ASF manufacturer?
operate

63
 Theme 2: Enhance • Reducing human
Safety errors

Question: Did ASF • Can perform intensive

company ever face with task
safety issue that related to
their labor? Do you think
AMRs can enhance the
safety of the labor?

Theme 3: Cost saving • Labor saving

Question:

Do you think AMRs can be

cost saving?

4.5 Conclusion

The finding and discussion section hold paramount importance in this

research. This chapter delves into the finding derived from the researcher’s
interview processes and analyzes the data collected. The data aligns with
the research questions posed, ultimately addressing the research objectives.
The researcher organizes the data in accordance with the objectives,
transcribes it, and subsequently employs NVivo software for analysis. By
doing so, the researcher can identify themes associated with each objective
and establishes connections to previous studies from the literature review.
This facilitates a cohesive linkage between the findings and the research
objectives.

64
 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Introduction

This chapter which includes the conclusion and recommendation will be the
last chapter for the research of A Study on Autonomous Mobile Robotic
(Amr) Applications & Smart Manufacturing Can Increase the Operation
Efficiency in SME Industry Toward Asia Farm Food & Beverage (M) Sdn Bhd.
In this chapter, the researcher will conclude all the chapter from Chapter 1
until Chapter 4. The researcher also will restate all the objectives and explain
the limitation that faced by the researcher while doing the research. Apart
from that, the researcher will give suggestions and recommendations that
may help the company to improve their business.

5.2 Restatement of Objectives

This section will restate the whole objectives for this research which there

are two objectives in this research.

5.2.1 To Determine Smart Systems Towards Operation Performance at

Asia Farm Food & Beverage (M) Sdn Bhd.

The researcher chooses this objective because the researcher wants to gain
more knowledge about the traditional and latest systems that used in every
current SME company. This is because technology advancement is rapidly
getting better from daily basis. Smart systems represent the forefront of
technological advancement in various industries. By understanding and
keeping up with these technologies, you can stay informed about the latest
trends and developments, positioning ourselves for future opportunities
growth. cold chain logistics elements are slightly different compared to
normal logistics. Thus, the researcher managed to achieve the objective
based on the findings that has been stated in Chapter 4.

65
5.2.2 To Study Implementation of AMRS Towards Operation
Performance

The last objective that has been selected by the researcher is studying
implementation of AMR systems because there are many challenges and
benefits to implement it towards SME industry. So, to determine the
constraint to execute AMRs system at the company, the researcher asks
several questions to the respondents. The constraint that are faced by the
company are excessive cost, stick will traditional equipment, and sufficient
labor. The researcher achieved the objective based on the findings that has
been stated in Chapter 4.

5.3 Recommendation

Recommendations are valuable suggestions provided to individuals or

organizations regarding a specific course of action or choice. They serve
multiple purposes, including aiding decision-making and enhancing the
current situation. Recommendations can stem from personal experience,
extensive research, or expert knowledge, and they can be presented in
either a formal or informal manner. In this particular section, two types of
recommendations are offered:
Recommendations for the company itself and recommendations for future
research endeavors. These recommendations aim to provide practical
guidance for the company’s improvement and suggest avenues for further
exploration in subsequent research.

5.3.1 Recommendation for The Company

Recommendation for the company is very important to suggest the best

practices that can be used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
AMR system toward SME industry.

I) Stay Informed About Technological Advancements

66
The first recommendation for the company is to Stay Informed About
Technological Advancements. This is because continuously stay updated in
advancements in AMR technology, as it is an evolving field. Regularly assess
new features, capabilities, and potential upgrades that can further enhance
the company operations performance. For example, like innovation of 5G
mobile Edge. In conventional AGV deployments, limitations in onboard
hardware units for AGV/AMR navigation may restrict the available data
processing power. This means that the onboard processors may not be
suitable for Factory of the Future (FoF) purposes. However, the introduction
of 5G Mobile Edge (MEC) enables data and processing functions to be
offload to the MEC, supporting AGV-based smart manufacturing application.
In certain factory where AGVs are required to operated outdoors, traditional
indoor infrastructures like lasers, RFIDs, and magnetic grids are insufficient.
However, the wider coverage provided by 5G infrastructures allows for
control of AGVs in these scenarios, extending the reach of indoor FoF
applications to the outer areas of the plant. Nevertheless, there are still
various issues that need to be researched and refined for better system
optimization in order to achieve seamless integration between 5G, AGVs,
and AMRs swarms on the factory floor. M. De Ryck (2020).
In conclusion, staying informed about technological advancements is crucial
for individuals and organizations alike. By utilizing strategies such as
subscribing to industry publications, attending events, engaging with
professional associations, following experts, exploring open-source
platforms, and individuals can remain at the forefront of technological
developments.

II) consider Long-Term Scalability

Plan for long-term scalability and expansion of the AMR system as your
business grows. Assess the flexibility of the chosen AMR solution to adapt to
changing operational requirements and consider the potential for integrating
additional robots or extending their functionalities in the future.

67
It is essential to plan for the future and ensure that the chosen AMR solution
can accommodate the evolving needs of your business as it grows.
Assessing the flexibility of the AMR system is crucial in adapting to changing
operational requirements.by considering the potential for integrating
additional robots into systems as your business expands. Evaluate if the
chose AMR solution allows for easy integration and coordination among
multiple robots. This scalability allows for increased productivity and the
ability to handle higher workloads.

The company also need to consider the potential for integrating additional
robots into the system as your business expands. Evaluate if the chosen
AMR solution allows for easy integration and coordination among multiple
robots. This scalability allows for increased productivity and the ability to
handle higher workloads. As the business requirements evolve, the company
may need AMRs to perform new tasks or operate in different environments.
Ensure that the chosen solution offers the flexibility to upgrade to robotic as
needed.

Furthermore, consider the ease of reconfiguring or reprogramming the AMR

system to accommodate changes in workflow or process optimization. The
ability to modify routes, tasks, or behavior of the robots without significant
disruptions is crucial for long-term scalability. By keeping compatibility of the
ARM system with existing infrastructure and technologies. It will assess how
well software, or other automation tools. Compatibility and seamless data
exchange between systems are vital for efficient and scalable operations.

In conclusion, by considering long-term scalability, assessing flexibility,

evaluating integration potential exploring extended functionalities, facilitating
reconfiguration, the company can plan for the future and successfully scale
their AMR system to meet the evolving needs of their business.

68
5.3.2 Recommendations for Future Research

Future research is crucial for enhancing the findings and strengthening the
reliability of this study. Since the focus of this research is on implementation
of AMR system at Asia Farm Food & Beverage (M) Sdn Bhd., it is
recommended that future research expands to include the entire process of
operations in manufacture starting from raw material to end-users. This
would provide a more detailed understanding of overall operation
performance, complementing the current research that focuses solely on the
operation performance. By addressing these areas in future research, a
more comprehensive and detailed understanding of SME industry and AMR
system implementation at ASF Sdn Bhd. Can be achieved, improving the
overall knowledge in this field and providing valuable insight for both
academic and industry.

5.4 Limitation of Research

During the research process, the researcher encountered several limitations

in obtaining complete data. The first limitation was related to respondent
availability. Initially, the respondent got pack schedule to participate in the
interview after the completion Chapters 1 to 3 about the company. However,
the researcher made efforts to show the importance of the interview, and
fortunately, the respondent finally got free schedule to proceed with the
interview.

Another challenge arose in obtaining responses from the second and third
respondents. Due to personal reasons, they like to kept their information
confidential and somehow it makes the processes more difficult. But
fortunately, the researcher manages to handle the problem with ease.

Lastly, time constraints posed another limitation for the research. The
respondent struggled to find a suitable schedule for the interview due to their

69
busy agenda. Additionally, the first interview appointment had to be canceled
due to an urgent meeting, resulting in the need to reschedule the interview
sessions.

These limitations affected the data collection process and required

extra effort from the researcher to overcome them. Despite these challenges,
the researcher persevered to ensure the research objectives were met and a
comprehensive analysis could be conducted.

5.5 Conclusion

The study successfully achieved and addressed both research

objectives. The first objective aimed to determine the smart systems toward
operations performance at Asia Farm Food & Beverage (M) Sdn Bhd. The
findings revealed that the company has implemented one of smart systems
that is smart manufacturing, AMR system, and lean operation system. This
indicates a significant level of implementation in smart systems towards
operation performances.

The second objective focused on study the implementation of AMRs toward

operation performance. The study revealed 3 facts that has to be considered
before implementing AMR system that is operation efficiency, enhance
safety, and cost saving. These findings shed light on the specific facts and
constraint faced by the company in implementing AMR system. The research
outcomes contribute to the existing literature by providing insights into the
implementation of cold chain logistics and the associated challenges. It adds
to the growing body of knowledge in this field, emphasizing the importance of
advance technology toward operation performance for companies operating
in similar industries. The findings can be used as a reference for other
organizations seeking to optimize their resources and productivity by using
technology advancement.

70
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 APPENDIX A: TRANSCRIPT

Theme i: Smart Manufacturing

Questions Respondent’s Answer

Q1: What do you Mr. Zaki: Based on my understanding, smart manufacturing is

know about Smart an advance technology to optimize efficiency, productivity, and
manufacturing? quality. It’s can greatly benefit any manufacture that use it
systems. By embracing these technologies and processes,
companies can stay competitive in today’s rapidly manufacturing
landscape and keep a sustainable growth and success.

Q2: Do you think Mr. Jackie: Smart manufacturing clearly can give a significant
that smart impact in our company. For example, it can enhance our
manufacturing can operation efficiency and productivity. Smart manufacturing
benefit your technologies such as automation can help our company
company? streamline our production processes. By automating repetitive
tasks, we can reduce manual labor requirement and minimize
errors.

Q3: How Mr. Zaki: One of very apparent effect of implementation smart
implementation of
manufacturing towards operation performance is increase
smart
manufacturing can efficiency. This is because automation can increase operational
enhance the efficiency by eliminating bottleneck and improving overall
operation
performance productivity. By automating repetitive tasks, employee can focus
on more complex and value-added activities, further enhancing
efficiency.

Q4: Can smart Mr. Zaki: Yes, smart manufacturing has great potential to reduce
manufacturing production time significantly. By leveraging advanced
reduce production
time? technologies, smart manufacturing can optimize various aspects
of the production cycle and leading to faster and more efficient
operations.

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Q5: Do you think Mr. Zaki: My answer is yes, because smart manufacturing can
that smart optimize energy consumption by integrating renewable energy
manufacturing can sources and adopting sustainable practices. By considering the
optimize energy environmental impact of products from raw material extraction to
consumption and disposal, the manufacturers can make informed decisions to
contribute to minimize energy consumptions, waste generation, and
sustainable emissions.
productivity?

Theme ii: AMR system

Questions Respondent’s Answer

Q1: What do you Mr. Zaki: As a SME company, we’re not very fond about
know about AMRs AMRs system. Based on what I know, AMR stands for
system? Autonomous Mobile Robot which is referring to a robotic
system that are capable to navigating and performing task in
an environment without human intervention. It also can adapt
to changes in their surrounding or workplace ecosystems.

Q2: Do you think Mr. Zaki: My answer is yes, because the implementation AMR
that AMR system system can improve by having an efficient transport. AMRs can
can improve in autonomously transport the material or product within the
material handling manufacturing facility. It can navigate through complex layout,
within ASF avoiding obstacles and adjusting routes as needed. This can
manufacturer? reduce the time required for transporting items between different
areas, such as storage areas, production lines, or quality control
stations.

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Q3: Did ASF Ms. Anne: So far during the operations activity, there no
company ever face accident occurrence at the worksite. But there is a near-miss
with safety issue accident that can be harm to the workers. For example, the
that related to their pallet of product is not sort accordingly then it falls from the
labor? Do think racks. This shows that the workers are not consistent in doing
AMRs can enhance their job and neglect the safety aspect during operations activity.
the safety of the From my opinion, AMRs can greatly enhance the safety of the
labor? labor because it can perform every task that hard to do with
human labor. By having a proper maintenance, AMRs
apparently can do a proper job rather than human labor. This is
because human labor tends to become careless and tired by
doing a repetitive task. By changing to AMRs, we can reduce
idle time and increase the safety and efficiency during
operations activities.

Q4: Do think it Mr. Zaki: it’s possible but there’s a constraint to implement it in the
possible to SME industry. The biggest constraint is “Finance & Startup
implement AMRs in Capital”. To use AMRs, the SME company have to invest a large
the SME industry? sum of money for the startup capital. Financial is very crucial for
SME industry because it’s a limited resource, so application of
AMRs is can impact them in positive and negatively based on their
own abilities. In the conclusion, it is possible but have many
constraints that have to be emphasized.

Q5: How do you Mr. Zaki: in my opinion, AMRs can contribute in the industry by
think the AMR increasing efficiency and productivity. It can automate repetitive
system can and labor-intensive tasks, such as material handling. By doing so,
contribute to the they can operate continuously and efficiently, reducing human
industry? error and fatigue. This leads to increased productivity and
throughput within the industry, allowing businesses to achieve
higher production levels while optimizing resource utilization.

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Theme iii: Lean Operation

Questions Respondent’s Answer

Q1: What do you Mr. Zaki: based on what I know, lean operation is also known
know about lean as lean manufacturing or lean production, is a management
operation? method that aims to eliminate waste and improve operational
efficiency. The core principle of lean operations is to create
value for customers by minimizing waste and maximizing
productivity. It focuses on reducing non-value-added activities,
and continuously improving operations by doing so,
organizations can enhance efficiency.

Q2: Do ASF Mr. Zaki: yes, we do practice several methods of lean

operations in our manufacturing processes. For example, we
Company
do layout planning in our production line. This method is about
practice lean
creating a straight production line to reduce excessive
operation?
movement that can cause an idle time.

Q3: In your Mr. Zaki: yes, it is very important. There is a several methods
opinion, is it that same as lean operations that we practiced that called
important to “Kaizen and Kanban” methods. Kaizen is the practice of
practice lean continuous improvement. It involves small changes
operation? implemented by everyone in the organization to enhance
processes and optimize performance. For example, provide a
proper training and engagement to ensure that all operators
receive the necessary training and guidance to adapt to the
changes. Kanban is a visual signaling system used to manage
inventory and production flow. It will ensure that materials of
tasks are replenished only when needed, preventing
overproduction and reducing waste.

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Q4: what do you Mr. Zaki: from my opinion, those company that doesn’t
think happen to practice lean operation will face inefficiency. Without
the company implementing lean principles, the company is more likely to
that doesn’t have a process that are inefficient and prone to be waste. For
practice lean example, excessive inventory, long lead times, unnecessary
operations? waiting times, and overproduction. These inefficiencies will
lead to increased costs, reduced productivity, and lower
overall operational performance.

Q5: Do you think Mr. Zaki: yes, it is, because lean operations is a method that
lean operations focuses on eliminating waste, and improving efficiency. by
can greatly implementing lean principle, any organizations can optimize
impact in their processes, enhance productivity and achieve sustainable
operation growth in their businesses.
performance?

Theme iv: Operation Performance

Questions Respondent’s Answer

Q1: How do you Mr. Zaki: one the step that we use is create a “proper
keep the scheduling”. This is because our company are mostly run by
operation human labor. So, a proper schedule will in their productivity by
performance in having a proper rest and always ready to perform their tasked.
the best state?

Q2: Do ASF Mr. Zaki: yes, most frequent problems that we have to deal is
company ever “Labor attendance”. Human actions are something that we find it
face problem with hard to control because each person got different personality.
their operations? So, we give incentives and rewards to counter these problems.
This will motivate employee to keep their attendances with a
good record.

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Q3: What is the Mr. Zaki: current constraint that we faced is manual processes
major bottleneck and labor constraint. Manual processes are often slower and
or constraint in prone to errors, which can create bottlenecks if there are not
the current enough skilled workers or if the workforce is unable to meet the
operation? our require demand. It’s easy to hire new labor, but it’s very
difficult to find a skilled and disciplined worker.

Q4: What kind of Mr. Zaki: As I said, we practiced lean manufacturing. By

approaches that adopting lean manufacturing or operations, we can eliminate
ASF company any waste and continuously improving our efficiency. For
use to keep the example, we practice Kaizen and Kanban systems and reduce
operation non-value-added activities.
efficiency?

Q5: Do you think Mr. Zaki: yes, because these three systems is an innovation that
smart can greatly contribute to our company. Even there’s several
manufacturing, constraints that we need to be considered, but this method
AMRs system, apparently can give a huge impact to our operation
and lean performance.
operation can
affect positively in
ASF operation
performance?

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APPENDIX B: MJIT

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APPENDIX C: TURNINIT

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APPENDIX D: Photo with respondent at Asia Farm Food and Beverage
Factory

APPENDIX E: Production operation line at Asia Farm Food and

Beverage Factory

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 APPENDIX F: Material Handling Equipment

APPENDIX G: Voice Recording with Respondent During Interview

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