Artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI will inevitably impact packaging and processing, and OEMs can stay ahead of the curve by considering AI development opportunities within their machinery and services.
That’s according to PMMI Business Intelligence’s 2024 report, “The AI Advantage in Equipment: Boosting Performance and Bridging Skills Gaps,” in which Business Intelligence researchers interviewed industry experts to find AI opportunities specific to OEMs.
Many of the general benefits of AI apply directly to OEMS; AI assistants, digital twin models, and improvements in training have the potential to benefit most producers utilizing the technology in a strategic manner.
However, industry experts pointed to examples in areas like machinery and services that can specifically benefit OEMs.
Unlocking new types of machinery
Applying AI technology to collaborative robots (cobots) could help to address issues around safety. The technology could allow robots to move more quickly and carry more weight, greatly improving their ROI, and therefore demand from CPGs.
AI software also allows for increased flexibility within machines, allowing machines to adapt to changes in product or random defects without needing to be completely recoded. This ability to adapt can also be applied to item picking software, where AI software can reliably pick items out of a case that are at random orientations.
This combination of improved flexibility and function may allow new types of robots to be created that are able to perform multiple different tasks with little change in coding.
OEMs creating their own AI software
OEMs have the option to create their own AI software. Some companies, such as Siemens, have already done so.
This could provide benefits as a standalone product, and/or be integrated into an existing customer support service.
However, as the data from machines generally belongs to the customer, there is little obvious competitive advantage to OEMs in implementing custom AI software that is not available to other companies.
Increasing use of Machinery as a Service (MaaS)
Improvements in predictive maintenance solutions may reduce the risk of MaaS for OEMs, potentially leading to an increase in the use of this form of partnership.
With ownership of the data from the machine, OEMs would be able to continuously monitor machine health for thousands of machines, at minimal cost. This could increase the confidence of OEMs to offer MaaS as they may feel more able to guarantee the minimum levels of uptime required by customers.
SOURCE: PMMI Business Intelligence: 2024 The AI Advantage in Equipment: Boosting Performance and Bridging Skills Gaps
For more insights from PMMI’s Business Intelligence team, find reports, including “2024 Trends in Remote Services and Monitoring” and “2023 Packaging and Automation in the Warehouses of the Future” at pmmi.org/business-intelligence.
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