n TECHNOLOGY March 2024 www.drivesncontrols.com 26 SENSEYE, THE UK-BASED condition monitoring specialist acquired by Siemens in 2022, has added a generative AI (arti cial intelligence) capability to its predictive maintenance Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), making it more conversational and intuitive to use. Siemens says the development will make human-machine interactions and predictive maintenance faster and more ecient by enhancing proven machinelearning capabilities with generative AI. Senseye Predictive Maintenance uses AI to generate machine and maintenance worker behaviour models, directing users’ attention and expertise to where it’s needed most. The new generative AI function will help users to extract knowledge from their machines and systems and to boost the eectiveness of their maintenance workers. Currently, machine and maintenance data are analysed by machine-learning algorithms and the platform presents user noti cations in static, self-contained cases. With little con guration, the new conversational interface will introduce a new level of exibility and collaboration. It facilitates conversations between users, AI and maintenance experts, streamlining decisionmaking. One Senseye customer that is planning to use the new generative AI capability is the Australian steel-maker, BlueScope. “Senseye Predictive Maintenance has been more than a tool; it’s a catalyst for change in our organisation,” reports the company’s digital transformation manager, Colin Robertson. “The innovative generative AI functionality from Siemens will help to accelerate our eorts to scale knowledge-sharing across our global teams and will continue to support our ambitious digital transformation strategy.” The generative AI can scan and group cases, even in multiple languages, and nd similar past cases and their solutions to provide context for current issues. It can also process data from dierent maintenance software. For security, all of the information is processed in a private cloud environment, protected from external access. This data will not be used to train any external generative AI. The data does not need to be high-quality for the generative AI to turn it into actionable insights. With little to con gure, it also uses maintenance protocols and notes from previous cases to help increase user knowledge. Siemens says that adding generative AI to predictive maintenance will deliver tangible bene ts for manufacturers. By enabling faster and easier maintenance decisions, it will increase productivity, promote sustainability and accelerate digital transformation. It also addresses skills shortages, because it captures expert knowledge from an ageing workforce. In doing so, it empowers less experienced shop-oor workers, making them more eective. “By harnessing the power of machine learning, generative AI, and human insights, we’re taking Senseye Predictive Maintenance to the next level,” says Margherita Adragna, CEO of customer services for Siemens Digital Industries. “The new functionality makes predictive maintenance more conversational and intuitive – helping our customers to streamline maintenance processes, enhance productivity and optimize resources. This marks an important milestone in countering the skills shortage and supporting our customer’s digital transformation.” The new generative AI function will be available from the spring for all Senseye users. https://drivesncontrols.news/kkex3xj4 Generative AI takes predictive maintenance to the next level ABB HAS TESTED the rst automated robotic charging technology for underground mines, in partnership with the Swedish mine operators Boliden and LKAB. The aim is to make mines safer by automating one of few manual processes left in mining – charging blasting holes with explosives. In large mines, blasting can take place up to 15 times a day, expanding chambers to extract mineral and metal ores. ABB’s Robot Charger uses a vision system to detect drilled holes automatically, and then lls them with charges, avoiding the need for people to be near unsupported rock faces during blasting. The tests have con rmed the eectiveness of integrating the robot charger with a carrier vehicle, communication with bulk emulsion and vision systems, and using a second robot arm to assemble and prime the detonator. The system can reach all areas of the rock face and boreholes at all levels, and allows operators to work remotely. The test programme was located at the world's most productive underground zinc mine, Boliden Garpenberg, 180km northwest of Stockholm. ABB is now embarking on a nal stage of development with the aim of executing full blasting sequences in mines with control of the robot being handed over to the mine operator. It is also talking to other mine operators about joining the project, so that the technology can be tested in dierent mine environments and in areas where the rock composition and climate may be dierent. “This is a signi cant technology development for ABB and the wider industry where safety is part of overall ESG commitments,” says Vedrana Spudic, head of technology in ABB’s mining business. “The robot locates the drilled holes on the rock face using a vision system, and these recent tests show all can be reached and charged with the cycle fully automated. This removes the need for human operators in a small, unsupported area right at the face.” Robots insert mining explosives automatically for rst time Senseye’s new generative AI capability makes predictive maintenance conversational
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