The power of artificial intelligence (AI) is its ability to drive superhuman gains in multiple areas of manufacturing such as quality control, logistics, new material development, supply chain, process efficiency and workplace safety. To put that ability within reach of humans, it must be transparent and integrated seamlessly into business, scientific, and manufacturing processes. While AI and machine learning (ML) hold great potential for businesses, 75% of U.S. corporations do not have actively deployed AI solutions, and most still do not understand what AI is or how it can be used. In short, there is still a strong disconnect between AI and reality.
In the era of Industry 4.0, AI has the potential to dramatically accelerate the reshaping of manufacturing processes, enhancing productivity and driving innovation. 93% of companies believe AI will be a pivotal technology to drive growth and innovation in the manufacturing sector, per Deloitte. In this blog, we will explore how AI is advancing Industry 4.0 and revolutionizing the way we work and produce.
Source: Research and Markets
By leveraging and combining advanced technologies, such as AI and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, smart factories can improve quality, drive innovation, improve efficiency and process improvement, help manage employees and create safer workplaces. Embracing data-driven decision-making and real-time monitoring, smart factories can respond quickly to market demands, reduce time for testing and development, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Here are just a few ways that AI and IoT together can address some top business challenges in manufacturing:
Intelligent Automation
One of the key contributions of AI to Industry 4.0 is intelligent automation. AI-powered machines can perform tasks quickly with high precision. They can seamlessly integrate with existing manufacturing systems, analyze real-time data and make autonomous decisions to optimize production.
Predictive Maintenance
AI-driven predictive maintenance has emerged as a game-changer in all industries. Traditional maintenance practices are often reactive, leading to unexpected breakdowns and costly downtime once a system has already crashed. With AI, machines can continuously monitor their own performance, detect anomalies and predict potential failures before they occur.
Enhanced Quality Control
Quality control is crucial in manufacturing, and AI-powered systems have revolutionized this. AI algorithms enable manufacturers to spot quality issues early in the production process, reducing waste, minimizing rework and ensuring consistent product quality. AI can also continuously learn from data, improving its accuracy over time.
Supply Chain Optimization
Beyond the factory floor, AI algorithms can analyze complex data sets, such as historical demand patterns, market trends, supplier performance, and historical weather patterns in specific areas, to make accurate demand forecasts, optimize inventory levels and streamline logistics operations.
Product Innovation
AI enables machines to learn from user behavior, adapt to changing preferences, and deliver personalized experiences. This allows for innovation and product development that is tailored to the customer’s needs.
Together, AI Dynamics and Dell have forged a path forward, empowering factories to overcome various manufacturing challenges and improve overall business operations. By combining the power of the AI Dynamics NeoPulse platform with Dell Technologies’ PowerScale NAS, it empowers subject matter experts to address areas of infrastructure complexity and interoperability, data management, edge-to-core-to-Cloud deployment, plus enterprise AI and ML operations platform integration in a scalable, easy-to-manage system.
Smart IoT connectivity is essential for secure and reliable connections across an enterprises’ complete digital network, linking equipment and data between servers or the cloud in the most secure and reliable fashion. Smart connectivity tools from trusted providers like Soracom can also enhance security through value-added services, and industrial-grade SIM cards that are heartier and more resilient than the average card, providing a further layer of physical security for devices.
Manufacturers looking to optimize their operations and remain competitive will need to embrace the transformative power of AI and IoT. If you’re looking to get started on building your own preventative maintenance solution, visit Mouser to find featured products from Soracom and MultiTech.
