Electricity + Control April 2018

TRANSFORMERS + SUBSTATIONS

Cognitive systems, from robotics to Artificial Intelligence (AI) allow manufacturers to develop full autonomy of their systems. They effectively leverage the deluge of data delivered by countless sensors, smart devices and external sources to ensure market needs and desires are met. Built on the back of AI and robotics, and around Machine-to-Machine communication, edge and sensor fusion help machines to self-determine and correct problems in real-time. Sensors also deliver a wealth of valuable insights into the manufactur- ing process to reduce wastage, cut inefficiencies, minimise maintenance and create conditions that aim for zero defects. This in turn, maximises out- put and profits. Cloud computing enables these technologies to come together on a single, easily accessible and manageable platform. The oppor- tunity exists, then, for globalisation. Manufactur- ers can start looking at leveraging the services of skilled specialists anywhere in the world, hiring them on demand on a projects or requirement ba- sis. The consumer demand for customised prod- ucts is currently difficult to achieve in a mass-scale environment. Accessing outsourced services and combining them with Advanced Manufacturing Systems (AMS) like augmented reality and 3D printing could overcome this challenge while still meeting quality and safety standards. Ultimate- ly IT, industry and production will inevitably fuse into one single stream to become the ‘new nor- mal’. Production will hinge on technology and the adoption of automation to drive down costs and improve outputs. The challenge will be how to dif-

ferentiate oneself from a competitive market using the same technology to produce goods of similar quality. It is likely that the next ten to twenty years will see component manufacturers assuming the roles of assemblers as well as designers to deliver to a market that demands fast, custom goods. Overcoming the barriers to adoption Of course, there are many challenges that could impede adoption of this new normal. The most highlighted one is the potential impact on jobs. South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) specifically targets manufacturing as an area that plays a pivotal role in achieving employment growth goals. So how do manufactures adopt technology to automate, improve outputs and re- duce costs while not only maintaining, but increas- ing, their workforce? In South Africa, early adoption will be higher with self-contained, specialised industries where employees can be more easily re-tooled. Indus- tries, such as engineering within the general manufacturing and automotive spaces, are able to introduce automation while re-skilling their work- force to become data scientists, systems main- tainers, operations optimisers, etc. Conclusion Although manufacturing is considered a domain of ‘cheap labour’, workers in these industries are skilled and experienced in their field. This opens up the opportunity for them to become specialists. In areas where automation, even backed by ana- lytics and AI, is introduced, specialists with a deep understanding of their industry will know best how to program systems and customise them to truly automate. The opportunity for these specialists to step outside of their organisation and offer services and expertise in a consultancy capacity is there. Add the advantage of global access to the market, and these individuals can outsource themselves to organisations across the globe, forming part of a niche Internet of Services team who are contract- ed by Industry 4.0 adopters.

Cognitive systems, from robotics to AI, allow manufacturers to develop full autonomy of their systems.

Dereshin Pillay is Sales & Service Management Head: Manufacturing and Automotive, at T-Sys- tems South Africa. Enquiries: Email Dereshin.Pillay@t-systems.co.za

Electricity + Control

APRIL 2018

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