By Sherif El-Meshad, Digital Lead, ABB Electrification
Edge computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) have emerged as two revolutionary technologies that are reshaping the landscape of industry.
These interconnected technologies have significantly advanced the way data is processed, analyzed, and acted upon, enabling real-time decision-making and transforming the digitalization of businesses like never before. The combination of edge computing and IoT forms the backbone of Industry 4.0, driving automation and intelligent manufacturing processes.
IoT sensors deployed across factory floors collect data on machine performance and production metrics. Once the raw data has been analyzed and packaged into operational insights, edge computing sends those individual, organized packets of information to the cloud. This saves a lot of time in processing, reduces data transmission latency, and reduces potential equipment damage and downtime.
Key enabler for sustainability
But the digitalization of plant, machinery, or equipment isn’t only about ensuring it runs more efficiently to save energy and money in the here and now. Digitalization is a key enabler for sustainability and helping companies on their journey to net zero.
Industrial IoT goes hand-in-hand with sustainability because it can facilitate the transition to more onsite renewable energy generation. Renewables, such as solar, are relatively straightforward to install onsite but the energy they provide is intermittent, so battery energy storage systems (BESS) are also required to store any excess energy for use when generation dips.
However, to effectively smooth out the peaks and troughs, digital tools are essential to analyse and manage generation and demand. The next big development here will be the wide adoption of 5G, which is around 10 times faster than 4G and more than 30 times faster than 3G1. When running at its peak, 5G offers very low latency, so digital tools will benefit from being able to read and collect information and act in real-time to the data being transmitted and received.
Next level of functionality
As well as getting faster, industrial IoT in the future will be smarter. Digitalization is always evolving and advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will move IoT systems to the next level of functionality. Using these advanced technologies, a system can take a series of data, analyze it and establish its own baseline; it can then operate unsupervised by identifying different modes of operation and providing actionable insights when necessary, such as recommendations to turn off an asset if the monitoring system detects lead-to-fault conditions. And the best thing is that the system keeps learning and improving over time with more data flowing in.
Advances in AI and ML will work in tandem with advances in sensor technology in the future which will help create a fingerprint for a healthy piece of equipment to give us the ability to implement predictive, preventative maintenance which will save users the time and expense of unscheduled downtime. We will be able to track changes so that any issues can be diagnosed before the problem becomes a major fault requiring the equipment to be taken offline for an extended period of time. By decreasing the cost of maintenance, we can effectively decrease the overall cost of asset ownership.
Real-time support
From predictive maintenance to remote maintenance, we now have technologies that allow engineers to maintain and repair equipment using augmented and virtual reality. These technologies can be used to deliver a range of real-time support services including troubleshooting, guided repairs and maintenance, spare part identification, monitoring and diagnostic KPI analysis, and installation and commissioning support. We launched the first set of our own AR services for handhelds last year and there is huge potential for this platform to be utilized across a range of industries.
Edge computing and IoT have acted as the catalyst for transformation across industry. By facilitating insights, enhancing efficiency and cost savings and enabling Industry 4.0, these technologies have opened up a new era of innovation and growth.
Find out more about how ABB can support your IoT journey here.
Sherif El-Meshad is the Digital Lead for ABB Electrification, overseeing digital strategy and cloud portfolio. He has been championing digital for more than 20 years with a particular focus on enterprise software, IoT and cloud technologies.
