Ducker Carlisle participated at the Automate show in Chicago, IL last week, 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:
- Failure to Realize ROI Targets*: Too often, AI implementations in manufacturing / production processes fail to realize expected ROI. Disappointing ROI typically results from 2 major issues: (1) Misdiagnosis of root-cause issues to be addressed with AI, leading to development of an AI solution that is not fit for purpose and does not drive expected results. (2) Under-appreciated variability in processes during the planning and design phases, which are quickly realized during and after implementation.
- 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.
- AI Moving to the Edge: With continued exponential improvements in processing power, AI data analysis and machine learning is starting to move to the edge, away from the centralized cloud. This lowers capital costs of implementation, does not have to rely on network connectivity, and enhances data security.
- 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.
* Notably, Ducker Carlisle’s Operations Assessment (End-to-End Supply Chain Consulting Services (duckercarlisle.com) ensures key issues are well-understood such that the right solution, AI or otherwise, can be implemented to achieve or surpass ROI targets.
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