Siemens has partnered with Google Cloud to deliver an AI-driven solution to optimise factory processes for industrial manufacturing and work to improve productivity on the shop floor.
Siemens and Google Cloud are set to cooperate to transform manufacturing by enabling the scaled deployment of artificial intelligence. Credit: Siemens
The two companies intend to integrate Google Cloud's data cloud as well as its AI and machine learning (AI/ML) technologies with its factory automation solutions to help enable the scaled deployment of solutions to help manufacturers innovate for the future.
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Modern industrial processes are driven by data, but many manufacturers continue to use legacy software and multiple systems to analyse plant information, which often leads to wasted resources and may also require significant manual intervention.
In general, many industrial sectors have seen a slow adoption rate for AI across global operations, the companies claim. The pair hope their processes, when integrated, will help pave the way for AI usage in industry and help simplify the development of such technologies.
AI offers a number of enhancements for manufacturers.
According to Capgemini research, 29% of all manufacturing-based programmes are for maintaining machinery and production assets.
Companies have continued to innovate machine learning technologies to allow for systematic tracking of a number of issues through a single programme, and even allow for problem-solving and the delivery of real-time solutions.
As part of the programme, Siemens will be utilising its Digital Industries Factory Automation (DIFA) portfolio, which will allow manufacturers to harmonise their data, run cloud-based AI/ML models on top of that data and deploy algorithms at the network edge.
This enables applications such as visual inspection of products or predicting the wear-and-tear of machines on the assembly line.
Deploying AI to the shop floor can be a complex task, requiring significant expertise.
The goal of the venture is to allow for the simplification of AI integration processes to increase adoption rates across the board, the companies claim.
“The potential for artificial intelligence to radically transform the plant floor is far from being exhausted. Many manufacturers are still stuck in AI ‘pilot projects’ today – we want to change that,” said Axel Lorenz, VP of Control at Factory Automation of Siemens Digital Industries, adding the project will be a "game-changer" for the industry.
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Dominik Wee, Managing Director Manufacturing and Industrial at Google Cloud said the cooperation will being the best of both worlds and propel AI/ML technology to the industry at scale.
He added: "By simplifying the deployment of AI in industrial use cases, we’re helping employees augment their critical work on the shop floor."
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