From Cobots and Digital Twins to Modular Systems and Data-Driven Insights, the Future is Here.
Ducker Carlisle participated at the Automate Show in Detroit this month, the leading automation show in
North America. Unsurprisingly, Artificial Intelligence (AI) was a primary topic, and many of the exhibits
and presentations focused on AI. From our participation, we identified some key takeaways:
Data is Currency: AI’s currency is data. The value of AI solutions stems from their ability to
analyze and respond to very large amounts of data. Thus, sensors and sensing technology are
critical to provide AI solutions with the amount of accurate data needed to function as designed.
Think of sensors and sensing technologies as a dollar-printing press or a goose laying golden
eggs for AI solutions.
Cobots are the Future: Building off improvements in sensors, sensing technology, and
processing power, cobots (collaborative robots) are the future. Industrial robots are moving
from their traditional, fixed pathway and process design to collaborative robots, interacting with
their environment and responding to it. This allows for increased productivity and safety in less
controlled environments.
Digital Twins Moving to Next Level: Industry leaders are creating virtual reality (VR) systems
and applications for digital twins. This allows those who design and navigate production and
material handling systems to step into a virtual world, using VR hardware, to “physically” move
and navigate production systems. This has major implications for both system design and
training of employees.
Flexible, Modular, and Interoperable Solutions: Demand for flexible automation is driving
adoption of modular robotics and AI-powered integration. System integrators and solution
providers showcased platforms that can adapt quickly to changing production needs. Open
standards and interoperability are breaking down silos, making it easier to connect disparate
systems and technologies on the factory floor. This modularity has the added benefit of making
automation solutions more accessible to small- and medium-sized operations, with customized,
fit-for-purpose solutions.
Employee Engagement & Customer Focus: Often overlooked when companies pursue digital
transformation are the people directly affected – employees and customers. Companies must
ensure employees are engaged in the transformation and its benefits for them and their
productivity. Further, and digital transformation journey must start with how this creates value
and benefits for customers; otherwise, you just have technology trying to find a problem to
solve.
AI Tools and Capabilities are Proliferating: Many companies are finding creative, new use cases
to apply AI to critical processes in their organizations, from manufacturing, supply chain,
customer engagement, marketing & sales, and employee training & development. Ducker
Carlisle’s new AI practice can work with you to identify critical use cases for AI and implement
the tools to realize step-change benefits (SparkWise Data & AI | Ducker Carlisle).