Rolls-Royce launches data innovation ‘acceleration hub’

Posted on 13 Dec 2017 by Jonny Williamson

Rolls-Royce has announced the launch of R2 Data Labs, a standalone business building on 30 years of data-led services and business model innovation,

R2 Data Labs - Data Innovation Technology Big Data Analytics Digital Digitalisation Stock - image courtesy of Depositphotos
Collaborative innovation will prove crucial in unlocking the most undiscovered value from data – image courtesy of Depositphotos.

Using advanced data analytics, industrial Artificial Intelligence and machine learning techniques, R2 Data Labs intends to develop data applications that unlock design, manufacturing and operational efficiencies within Rolls-Royce, and creates new service propositions for customers.

At the heart of R2 Data Labs are ‘Data Innovation Cells’ – mixed discipline teams of data experts who work in collaboration with teams from across Rolls-Royce’s operations.

These cells will apply cutting-edge DevOps principles to rapidly explore data, unlock and test new ideas, and turn those ideas into new innovation and services. These Data Innovation Cells will accelerate new ideas to fuel an existing portfolio of predictive, data-based services in areas such as asset availability, efficiency and maintenance or safety and compliance.

Head of R2 Data Labs and chief digital officer for Rolls-Royce, Neil Crockett commented: “R2 Data Labs will tap into expertise from across a wide data and analytics supply chain, building a diverse community of data innovators: including OEM partners, niche start-ups, academics, and a broad range of other trusted third-parties.

Crockett believes this strong focus on collaborative innovation will prove crucial in unlocking the most undiscovered value from data.

Through R2 Data Labs, customers will be able to tap into a new community of data innovation that combines deep industry, design, engineering and manufacturing domain knowledge with a global pool of Rolls-Royce data expertise.

Supported by best-in-class partners to provide IT infrastructure and to power its analytics ecosystem, R2 Data Labs can take advantage of the best open source technologies available and quickly respond, or co-create, to meet the fast changing innovation needs of clients.

The launch of R2 Data Labs follows the recently announced partnership with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), giving Rolls-Royce a new digital platform capability.

The platform reportedly enables data to be captured, shared and analysed more easily across all areas of Rolls-Royce, so that new products and services can be developed at pace.

This complements a preferred partner agreement with Microsoft for cloud solutions, and positions Rolls-Royce closely alongside two globally recognised digital service providers.

R2 Data Labs has data innovation capability hubs in the UK, US, Germany, Singapore, India and New Zealand.