Industry 4.0 - What you need to know about Artificial Intelligence of Things

The AIoT Artificial Intelligence of Things in Industry 4.0 is an emerging technology that has the potential to fundamentally change how we do business and live our lives. The Research and Market report indicates that the global AIoT market will reach $65.9B by 2025, growing at a combined annual growth rate of 39.1%. As this technology continues to evolve, it will present significant opportunities for organizations looking to innovate.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are two key technologies that are bringing about enormous digital transformation in the Industry 4.0 platform. With the rise of intelligent machines that can make decisions without human interference, Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) has the potential to change industries as we know them now.

Let us briefly understand AIoT and Industry 4.0 technologies.

What is AIoT?

Artificial intelligence and IoT work in tandem to analyze patterns, trends, and correlations between connected machines. AIoT refers to the combination of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) that improve machine-to-machine communication, allowing industries to analyze trends, patterns, and correlations between connected machines.

The integration of AI in IIoT systems has significantly improved the efficiency of IIoT devices through intelligent decision-making and machine learning. In an integrated AIoT system, the AI package contains several components like edge computing, advanced SoCs, programs, and software interlinked with IIoT devices.

The embedded AIoT system improves the network operation. It gives solutions to vital areas like data services, asset management, industrial automation, process improvement, and Next-Gen UI and UX, enhancing its business values and productivity.

What is Industry 4.0?

Industry 4.0 merges the virtual and real-world through an online network of interconnected machines, leading to a cyber-physical production system. All mechanical components and systems are free to communicate via a central or a mesh data network.

According to a McKinsey survey, the implementation of Industry 4.0 components can boost technical productivity by 45% - 55%. Another report also predicts that 50% of businesses with Industry 4.0 will see double-digit growth in the next five years.

How can AIoT transform the Industry 4.0 interface?

The Artificial Intelligence of Things can redefine the scope and limitations of Industry 4.0. Gartner's research projects that by 2022, over 80% of IIoT business projects will use artificial intelligence.

There are four significant segments through which AIoT impacts the industries: wearables, smart homes, smart cities, and intelligent industry.

Integration of AI in IIoT systems

IIoT systems collect, store, process, analyze, and control the telemetry data to get detailed information about manufacturing, quality control, and logistics in an organization. Big Data systems handle this data and provide meaningful analysis through rich visualization.

A lone IIoT system can collect and store data but still requires human interaction to solve any problem. It cannot initiate decision-making on its own. The use of AI in IIoT resolves this issue by taking action automatically, which can foster immense industrial growth.

The AI system acts as the brain of the connected system. It can initiate the IIoT sensors to provide automatic action instead of requiring any human intervention.

Autonomous Intelligence

The AIoT system helps the machines learn efficiently and plays a vital role in boosting a manufacturing line's production rate. Industries use AI's intelligence to process the collected data and grant machines the autonomy to take uninterrupted decisions and actions.

Assisted Intelligence

The integrated AI in IIoT systems also helps in identifying future traits like risks and opportunities. It monitors machine learning continuously, assisting industries in predicting breakdown conditions that can otherwise lead to loss of productivity.

What are the AIoT applications used in Industry 4.0?

Edge Computing

There are two positions at which AIoT systems package AI:

at the center
at the edge of the network

The centrally-connected AI systems perform intelligent predictive analysis and alert the system in case of discrepancies.

Edge computing AI-systems initiate high-speed data collection. It allows users to decide locally instead of sending data to the cloud. In an AIoT system, IIoT collects data, and AI provides decision-making at the edge.

Digital Twins

Digital Twins are the virtual replica of engineering objects. They help run simulations before replicating the actual product. Be it testing new engine components or wind turbines, companies use digital twins to replicate the working conditions before sending the design for final production. AIoT systems help minimize errors and achieve conditions that closely resemble the working environment.

Collaborative Robots

Robots help reduce human efforts. The combination of AI and IIoT provides robots a sense of decision and assists them in working with safety and precision.

Advantages of AIoT in Industry 4.0

The integration of AI and IIoT offers many crucial benefits in the industry 4.0 platform, such as:

Improves Overall Efficiency

Many companies use the integrated AIoT systems to develop patterns, trends, and insights. AI offers advanced data analytics that organizations can use to regulate their production rate, enhance their operational efficiency and overall productivity.

Predictive Maintenance

The AIoT system monitors vital machine parameters and allows machine learning to detect the actual problem and its cause. The use of AI in Industry 4.0 can help predict equipment failure. Machine Learning-powered systems can spot repetitive patterns that lead to failures and notify the maintenance teams to undertake an inspection.

An integrated system can also trigger preventive maintenance and start troubleshooting procedures. Organizations can migrate from schedule-based maintenance to conditions-based maintenance, which can help reduce repairs and restoration.

Since AI-powered systems also learn continually over time, they can even spot micro changes that can hamper the industry’s production.

See our Predictive Maintenance journal entry for more details.

Complete Autonomous Environment

AIoT systems help monitor end-to-end operations. These systems provide an insight into daily procedures. Although the amount of generated data is enormous, AI helps IIoT systems create an environment to perform faster action and conveniently interact with each other. The rapid and more immediate response can boost the rate of production due to less human interference.

Increase Scalability

An IIoT device collects data in huge data volumes. Integration of AI helps summarize the data and provide detailed information to other devices on the network. AIoT can maintain the management of big data floods and increase the scalability of an IIoT ecosystem.

The convergence of AI and IIoT leads to the future of industrial automation. AIoT helps improve manufacturing and supply chain processes in automotive, aviation, finance, healthcare, manufacturing.

It can analyze and predict the specific need of a particular industry and provide specific solutions. With an AI-enabled platform, organizations can boost their production and distribution, leading to monetary benefits in the long run.

Emerging industries can explore the benefits of AIoT systems. The immense potential that AIoT offers can initiate the creation of a connected, intelligent, and faster world.

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