5 Real-world Industrial Internet of Things Examples That Are Changing the Game

5 Real-world Industrial Internet of Things Examples That Are Changing the Game

The world of industry is rapidly evolving, and with the advent of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), manufacturers and production managers are better equipped to gather and analyze data in real-time, enhancing efficiency and optimizing resources. IIoT is a prolific game-changer, opening doors to new possibilities and opportunities, and in this article, we take a look at 5 real-world IIoT examples that are changing the game.

Smart Factories

Smart factories are production facilities that heavily rely on IIoT technologies such as sensors, robotics, and big data analytics. They are often connected to the Internet and can perform autonomous actions, making them easily controllable and malleable in real-time. This enables manufacturers to easily identify and diagnose issues, minimize downtime, and reduce costs.

For instance, BMW’s Dingolfing plant in Germany is an intelligent factory that incorporates sensors on its production lines, which send data to a central control unit that analyses the data in real-time. Workers receive notifications if an anomaly is detected, and they can fix the problem early before it escalates. Through this solution, BMW has minimized downtime, reduced waste, and increased production efficiency.

Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance

Condition monitoring is the use of sensors to detect the condition of critical equipment such as engines, motors, and oil pumps. By monitoring these indicators, it becomes easier to detect issues before they happen, and maintenance interventions to fixing it before causing productivity losses. Predictive maintenance is another application of IIoT that leverages data mining and machine learning tools to anticipate when maintenance is required.

Another example can be found on General Electric’s gas turbines, which use sensors that measure temperature, pressure, and vibrations, and sends the data to the cloud, where it undergoes analysis. Using this data, GE can create maintenance schedules, schedule repairs before an unscheduled downtime and optimize usage, achieving a lifespan extension of the equipment.

Intelligent Energy Management

Smart grids are a prime example of IIoT-driven intelligent energy management. Fortunately, the industry now provides more opportunities for renewable energy with wind turbines and solar panels, necessitates better grid management systems. Smart grids monitor and control the flow of electricity to meet supply and demand, optimizing resource consumption and reducing energy costs.

For instance, Santander Lighting in Spain is a public energy company that uses smart street lighting technologies to offer optimized street lighting solutions that fit in with their customer’s requirements. The system uses sensors to detect human movement and light conditions, turning off lights when no one is detected, thus saving energy.

Automated Warehousing and Inventory Control

One significant benefit of IIoT is reducing inventory waste in warehouses. Connected devices and sensors lead to a unified system for inventory management. Real-time visibility into inventory levels, locations, and movement, along with better automation, leads to better inventory management reducing costs of storing and moving unused inventory.

An example is Amazon’s Kiva robots used in their fulfillment centers, reducing the number of time-consuming human jobs required to move and organize inventories. The IV system of the robots also allows better control of inventory, reduces overstocking and understocking. Moreover, it has reduced the time needed for order fulfillment.

Precision Monitoring and Optimization in Agriculture

Agriculture is one industry that has seen significant improvements through IoT implementation. It not only improves monitoring, but enhances production efficiency, simplifies management of large plantations and reduces production costs. IoT sensors and data analytics help farmers better assess soil quality, water levels, weather patterns, and the health of crops.

John Deere, the Iowa-based manufacturer of agricultural machinery, equipped with advanced IoT sensors, imaging, and data analytics tools in order to detect crop health and track equipment performance. The system can predict changes and be adjusted for optimizations, reducing use of fertilizers, and avoiding plant stress.

Conclusion

There is a plethora of benefits that Industrial IoT brings into the industry, and these five examples give us a taste of what’s available right now. From optimizing production lines to reducing energy costs, the IIoT is rapidly transforming how manufacturing plants operate, and there are more trends and innovations on the way.

As a manufacturer, it’s essential to start familiarizing yourself with IIoT trends and start implementing them into your day-to-day operations. Whether you’re interested in improving production efficiency, predictive maintenance, or creating a smart warehouse, there is an IIoT solution out there to embrace your needs.