Business technology major IBM has launched a new IBM Watson Internet of Things (IoT) solution, Cognitive Visual Inspection, for manufacturers.
Announced at Hannover Messe 2017, the cognitive assistant on the factory floor will minimize costly defects and increase product quality for manufacturers.
The new IBM solution reduced inspection time by 80 percent and cut manufacturing defects by 7-10 percent based on early testing of a production cycle that takes 8 days with ½ day required for visual inspection.
The IoT solution uses an ultra-high definition (UHD) camera and IBM Watson cognitive capabilities and captures images of products as they move through production and assembly. It can detect defects in products, including scratches or pinhole-size punctures.
The IoT solution, which continuously learns based on human assessment of the defect classifications in the images, is designed to help manufacturers improve for product excellence, achieve never seen before specialization levels, and deliver on the promise of Industry 4.0.
The installed base of manufacturing IoT devices is expected to swell 3 times — from 237 million in 2015 to 923 million in 2020. By that year, manufacturers will spend approximately $267 billion on the IoT, according to Business Insider Intelligence.
“With our new Cognitive Visual Inspection capabilities, we are bringing a new set of intelligent eyes to the manufacturing floor that have the potential to help manufacturers not only virtually eliminate product defects, but can also help businesses maintain product excellence, build brand reputation and increase revenue,” said Harriet Green, general manager, IBM Watson IoT, Customer Engagement and Education.
Earlier, IBM announced $200 million investment in its Watson IoT Center headquarters in Munich, Germany.
Meanwhile, ABB and IBM announced a collaboration that brings together ABB’s digital offering, ABB Ability , with IBM Watson Internet of Things cognitive capabilities to unlock new value for customers in utilities, industry, transport and infrastructure.
Customers will benefit from ABB’s domain knowledge and digital solutions combined with IBM’s expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning as well as different industry verticals. The first two joint industry solutions powered by ABB Ability and Watson will bring real-time cognitive insights to the factory floor and smart grids.
