IIC Journal of Innovation 11th Edition | Page 41

Accelerating Performance with the Artificial Intelligence of Things   Digital twins are a virtual representation of a physical asset or device, frequently located in a remote location. 5 IoT devices have several sensors installed on them, as well as sensors for the environment around them. AIoT brings this sensor data together to create a true real- time digital twin. The digital twin shows the device’s operating condition, no matter where it’s physically located to create a true real-time digital twin. Deep learning can be added to a digital twin for more understanding. Image and video analytics are used to capture operating conditions that are missed by regular sensors. And, recurrent neural networks (RNN) add temporal data analysis and pattern detection in real-time data streams that are prevalent in digital twins. With these deep learning capabilities, digital twins provide a new level of insight for your remote devices. Research is emerging on industrial IoT applications that will help augment existing applications of digital twins. With IoT, data is collected from sensors on a device, on neighboring devices, the environment around a device, and whatever interacts with the device. The speed is real time, and connectivity allows us to span distances instantly in many cases. Advances in streaming analytics now enable us to process this real-time data using machine learning and artificial intelligence.     - 37 - Drones can comprehend unknown surroundings on the fly – even in dark, obstructed environments beyond the reach of internet or GPS – to investigate hazardous areas such as offshore operations and mines. Enhanced with analytics, drones can help transform essential but expensive, inefficient processes – such as vegetation management and power line surveillance – so that savings can be allocated to other strategic initiatives like grid modernization. Robotic platforms travel the aisles of a warehouse, picking parts or goods off the shelf and delivering them to the right place, avoiding collisions along the way. Collaborative robots (“cobots”) work alongside humans to do heavy lifting, stage materials for assembly or complete repetitive tasks and motions. Shipping containers and tractor- trailers can monitor conditions such as temperature, humidity, exposure to light, weight distribution, and CO2 and oxygen levels to maintain the integrity of loads and speed delivery and check-out. Remote monitoring devices provide at-home diagnostics, alert caregivers when intervention is needed and remind patients to take their medications. Cities can deploy connected sensors into the physical infrastructure to constantly monitor for energy efficiency, air pollution, water use, June 2019