GE Ventures has launched Avitas Systems, a new data-driven company using predictive data analytics, advanced robotics and artificial intelligence to deliver a step change in routine inspections.
Specifically designed for the oil and gas, transportation and energy sectors – i.e. those with remote assets in often hazardous or inaccessible environments, Avitas Systems aims to reduce high-risk tasks through autonomous robots such as crawlers, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
It’s managing director, Alex Tepper explained: “The inspection services industry requires cutting-edge technologies to avoid unplanned asset downtime and deliver, new, valuable insights.
“We deploy state-of-the-art robotics and cloud-based technology to give customers the customised service and insights-based data they need to advance from reactive to predictive repair – no matter where their assets are located.”
Using GE’s Predix software platform, Avitas Systems helps analyse inspection data, integrate regulatory and external sources – such as weather, identifies defects automatically and recommends optimal inspection and maintenance schedules.
The system combines data from various sources and independently analyses the relationship between them for deeper insights. It also incorporates user feedback in an effort to make defect detection smarter and more accurate.
By reducing high-risk tasks through robotics, Avitas Systems could reportedly decrease inspection costs by as much as 25%. By performing inspection based on anticipated risk, rather than regular time intervals, asset longevity could also be extended.
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On the side-lines of GE’s premiere Industrial Internet event, Minds + Machines Europe 2017, which took place in Berlin last week, The Manufacturer caught up with Avitas Systems’ John Boot.
The director of product integration explained: “Oil and gas suppliers nowadays, like many manufacturers in other sectors, struggle to overcome the natural obstacles on the way into the inevitable digitalisation.
“The fragmentation of the market, the variety of service providers and different hardware solutions form the main obstacles for many businesses looking to start their digital transformation.
“We aim to help make that first step much easier. Digital transformation is a must for any and every company with a future. Thanks to the digital transformation we can even predict the future and see how a business will really grow.”
Related articles: Minds+Machines Europe Day 1: key takeaways / Minds+Machines Europe Day 2: key takeaways
