Industrial IoT refers to the integration of intelligent sensors & actuators into industrial and manufacturing processes. It is also commonly called the industrial internet/Industry 4.0. IIoT has utilized real-time analytics and the power of advanced machines to leverage the data generated by traditional “dumb machines” in industrial settings for many years. IIoT is based on the idea that intelligent applications are not only capable of capturing & analyzing data in real-time more efficiently than humans, but they also excel in communicating vital information(data) that can be leveraged to make faster and more accurate business decisions.
IIoT is built on the concept that connected sensors & actuators can enhance industrial processes by capturing and analyzing real-time data. This allows companies to quickly detect inefficiencies and issues, ultimately saving time and money and improving business intelligence. Manufacturing is a sector that stands to benefit significantly from IIoT, with potential applications in quality control, sustainable & environmentally-friendly practices, supply chain efficiency, and overall supply chain traceability. IIoT plays a vital role in various industrial processes, including PdM, improved field service, asset tracking, and energy management.
Top 8 Applications of Industrial IoT Devices
1. ABB
ABB, a leading company in power & robotics, has adopted predictive maintenance using sensors to monitor the maintenance needs of its robots across five continents & trigger repairs before parts break. The company has also developed collaborative robotics, such as the YuMi model, which accepts input through Ethernet & industrial protocols such as Profibus & DeviceNet. These efforts demonstrate ABB’s embrace of IoT and its potential for enhancing industrial processes.
2. Airbus
Airbus has launched a digital manufacturing initiative known as the Factory of the Future to streamline operations and boost production capacity for commercial jetliners. With millions of components & tens of thousands of assembly steps, assembling a jetliner is a highly complex process where mistakes can have serious consequences. By using advanced digital technologies, Airbus is aiming to optimize its manufacturing processes and enhance its capabilities to meet the growing demands of the aviation industry. Airbus has implemented a digital manufacturing program called Factory of the Future to improve efficiency and increase production capacity in the assembly of commercial jetliners. This initiative integrates sensors into shop floor tools and machines and provides workers with wearable technology, including industrial smart glasses, to enhance workplace safety and reduce errors. The use of wearables in the cabin-seat marking procedure has led to a 500% increase in productivity while almost eliminating errors.
3. Amazon
Although not commonly referred to as an Industrial Internet of Things company, the online retail giant is undoubtedly a pioneer in warehousing & logistics, as highlighted by MIT Technology Review.
Amazon is exploring the boundaries of automation & collaboration between humans and machines. Although the company’s proposal to employ drones for deliveries has garnered significant media coverage, it also relies on Wi-Fi-linked Kiva robots to operate its fulfillment warehouses in large numbers. Amazon purchased the Kiva technology for 775 million dollars in 2012 with the fundamental concept that it’s more efficient for robots to locate product shelves and transport them to employees rather than having workers manually search for products on the shelves. According to Dave Clark, a senior vice president at Amazon, the robots assisted the company in reducing its operating budgets by 20 percent in 2014
4. Boeing
William Boeing, a trailblazer in aviation, once humorously remarked that one should not dismiss any innovative idea with the lime, “It can’t be able to done.” The multinational aviation corporation established in his name still adheres to this principle. The company is currently striving to achieve its long-term objective of making its service offerings more significant than its products and becoming the best information provider in the aviation industry. Boeing has already achieved noteworthy progress in revolutionizing its business. Through its subsidiary, Tapestry Solutions, the company has vigorously implemented IoT( Internet of Things) technology to enhance efficiency across its factories & supply chains. Additionally, the company is gradually augmenting the number of connected sensors integrated into its aircraft
5. Bosch
Bosch initiated the Industrial Internet Consortium’s initial trial, the Track & Trace program, in 2015. The program’s primary motivation is to minimize the time workers spend searching for tools. Bosch incorporated sensors into its tools, beginning with the cordless nut runner, to monitor them. As tracking technology advances and improves accuracy, Bosch intends to employ the system to direct assembly operations.
6. Caterpillar
Caterpillar, a heavy machinery manufacturer, has been a trailblazer in IoT initiatives for a long time. The company, now frequently referred to as “Cat,” has recently showcased the outcomes of its investments in IoT technology. For instance, it utilizes IoT and augmented reality (AR) apps to give machine operators a quick overview of fuel levels and the need to replace air filters. The company can guide you on replacing an expired filter through an AR app. Additionally, their marine intelligence division is recognized for its innovative approach. In a recent article, Forbes detailed how the company leveraged sensor-driven analytics to reduce costs associated with boats & shipping vessels significantly.
7. Fanuc
Fanuc, a robotics manufacturer, is committed to minimizing operational interruptions in industrial settings. By leveraging sensors integrated into its robots and harnessing cloud-based analytics, companies can anticipate potential failures of components, like robotic systems/ process equipment, before they occur. Fanuc has taken a more proactive approach to predictive maintenance than most companies. Although predictive maintenance is not new, Fanuc has embraced it with greater intensity. As a result of their efforts, General Motors recognized the ZDT system with the Supplier of the Year Award last year.
8. Gehring
Gehring Technologies, a company that produces metal honing machines and has been in business for 91 years, quickly adopted IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) technology. Currently, the company provides its customers with real-time data on the operation of Gehring’s machines before they make a purchase. Gehring achieves this through the implementation of digital technology, which enables the transmission of real-time data from the new machine to a client, ensuring that it satisfies the customer’s demands for accuracy and effectiveness. The company also utilizes cloud-based real-time monitoring to enhance its manufacturing productivity by observing its interconnected manufacturing systems, visualizing data, and analyzing machine tool data in the cloud. This approach helps Gehring minimize downtime and improve operational efficiency.
