The myoelectric interfaces are being used in rehabilitation technology, assistance and as an input device. This review focuses on an insightful analysis of the data acquisition system of EMG signals from these interfaces. According to applications reported in research articles of the last five years, the properties of the sensors, the number of channels, the pre-processing of the EMG signal, as well as the software and hardware used were identified. This analysis was performed for the following applications: monitoring of muscular activation for rehabilitation, muscle activation plans, and identification of possible pathologies, exoskeletons, electric of wheelchairs, prosthetics control, myoelectric bracelets, handwriting recognition and silent speech recognition. The results presented in this review become a guide of recommendations for the myoelectric signal processing according to the application of the interface. The main developments, degrees of research and open challenges are also presented in this direction.

The development of industry 4.0 requires the existence of a workforce with technical skills associated with the new technologies on which it is based, as well as with personal skills that allow them to adapt to the changing work environment. Those competencies can be developed on young people, as a new workforce that joins this market, or with veteran workers who need to be updated to continue current. Several actors are involved, from educational institutions to industry and government. The various international models of skills development in workers focus on tripartite collaboration schemes and the establishment of official standards. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze and describe the existing contextual conditions in Mexico for the development and certification of competencies in Industry 4.0. This study is qualitative and uses document analysis techniques to collect information that is relevant to identify the main elements currently existing. As a result, it is observed the need to strengthen collaboration schemes, as well as to provide the existing national certification system of greater relevance in the worker placement processes. Correspondingly, apprenticeship programs are presented as a field that has not been explored sufficiently within the country context.

This research explores and analyzes the context of the renewable energies industry sector of Baja California, Mexico, regarding the adoption, appropriation, knowledge and usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by focusing on human resources, mainly its business managers and directors, as key actors of strategic plans in terms of research and technological development. For this task, a Technological Competencies Profile (TCP), meant for evaluating the incorporation of ICTs by business leaders, was constructed by reviewing the definition of “technological competency” in 140 publications, and by considering the European e-Competence Framework (e-CF), the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA), and other related guidelines. This profile was later applied to analyze 13 SMEs and their leaders’ technological competencies. The investigation was further enriched with the information extracted from 13 interviews made with renewable energy experts in Baja California. The conclusions of this study show that, although SME leaders do have knowledge of ICTs and use them effectively for their own communicative and personal purposes, they do not consider them as a part of their business operation that can optimize their processes and impact its innovative capabilities.

The so-called Industry 4.0 supports its emergence and growth in the use of artificial intelligence techniques for the development of production systems whose capacity, efficiency and adaptability exceed the performance of current computer-based systems. Intelligent manufacturing corresponds to the digitization and interconnection of devices for the construction of production and supply chains that share a continuous flow of information. This revolution involves the development of technologies such as the Internet of Things, data analytics and cyber-systems aligned with machine learning, among others. The development and sustainability of these advanced manufacturing systems represent an area of opportunity for the growth of the technological competitiveness of regional economies. There are, however, training needs among engineering professionals for the development of specific updated technological competences; as well as a need of general conditions for the establishment of innovation networks between academia and the productive sector. This paper uses bibliographic techniques to examine existing literature and conducts a review on Industry 4.0. As a result, it presents an overview of the related technological trends and discuss the role of higher education institutions in the development of competitive human capital. There are also multiple areas of opportunity in the medium and long term to strength university-industry collaboration programs related to this adoption.

La industria 4.0 (I4.0) se caracteriza por la incorporación de tecnologías digitales a los procesos de manufactura, dotándolos de flexibilidad y capacidad de adaptación en tiempo real. El desarrollo de este tipo de industria se considera un factor competitivo a nivel mundial. Sin embargo, el sostenimiento de la I4.0 requiere la presencia de personal técnico competente capaz de llevar a cabo tareas de mejora y mantenimiento a sistemas de manufactura de alta digitalización. La zona conurbada de Tijuana-Tecate alberga industria manufacturera de los sectores electrónico, biomédico y aeroespacial, entre otros. La presencia de esta industria es fundamental dentro de las actividades económicas de la región. El objetivo del trabajo consistió en identificar las necesidades de formación asociadas al ejercicio efectivo de actividades de mantenimiento del personal técnico y de ingeniería que labora en empresas locales; así como las estrategias que éstas siguen para reentrenar y actualizar a dicho personal. En el presente trabajo de corte exploratorio, se realiza una revisión documental en cuanto a las habilidades técnicas requeridas para el desarrollo y sostenimiento de Industria 4.0, seguida de una entrevista semiestructurada a cinco miembros de la industria local responsables de áreas de mantenimiento industrial. El instrumento indagó dimensiones como tecnologías 4.0 empleadas, disponibilidad local de personal cualificado, competencias requeridas, esquemas internos de formación y estrategias para la retención y desarrollo del personal. A partir de los resultados puede observarse que las empresas entrevistadas no realizan colaboraciones con los programas educativos formales para atender las necesidades de capacitación y actualización del sector. Se identifica además un retraso en la implementación de tecnologías de industria 4.0 en la industria local y la predominancia de modelos tradicionales de mantenimiento, ya que solamente una empresa reporta el empleo de mantenimiento basado en la confiabilidad. El trabajo futuro consiste en ampliar el estudio enfocándolo en un solo sector de la industria de manufactura y realizando entrevistas a profundidad encaminadas al diseño de actividades conjuntas industria-academia para el registro de estándares de formación que deriven en la certificación de competencias específicas.

ICT management in Latin America educational institutions. Between policies and innovation.