Development of a visual programming tool called SmrAI for function testing to mitigate the shortage of programming personnel in the manufacturing

Abstract

We have developed a visual programming tool called SmrAI for function testing, and investigated whether wrapping existing source code with Scratch Blocks is an effective means of mitigating the shortage of programming personnel in the manufacturing. SmrAI is based on Smalruby, which can convert Scratch Blocks into Ruby code. In addition, SmrAI introduces two new sets of Blocks that wrap existing Ruby libraries for function testing. Since existing tools and libraries were utilized, the cost of developing SmrAI was low, and there were no changes in the function testing procedure. We conducted a verification test using staff members who were familiar with the function testing process but had little or no programming experience, and confirmed that they were able to program using SmrAI and that they had confidence in its business applications. These results are expected to contribute to the diversification and increase of programming personnel responsible for function test programming.