A session at the 2018 ARC Industry Forum in Orlando, Florida focused on leveraging smart field systems to create value in process industries. At this well-attended session, one end user presentation discussed employing radar tank level transmitters at a petroleum refinery in Malaysia; a second discussed deploying wireless instrument networks to reduce costs and support mobile operators in the process areas at an alumina refinery in the US.

ARC Advisory Group sees a growing need for human-assist robots for workers in industrial plants, warehouses, and other settings.   Currently, industrial collaborative robots (“cobots”) predominate this space, but we’re also seeing a growing number of potential industrial human-assist applications.

With all the high-profile incidents in recent years, gas pipeline safety has emerged as a driver for much of today’s infrastructure upgrading and re-placement efforts in North America and elsewhere.  However, this is not without its own risks. 

Mobile computing in the warehouse is at a crossroads due to the proliferation of the Android and iOS operating systems and Microsoft’s plans to cease support for its mobile operating systems. To learn more, ARC Advisory Group and DC Velocity magazine conducted a study on the current use, important characteristics, and expected changes in mobile computing in the warehouse.

Traditionally, the aerospace and defense (A&D) sector has been a perennial leader in innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies.  Today, the sector is experiencing a constantly evolving digital transformation.  Among the first industries to digitize the design and manufacturing processes, A&D continues to advance the digital transformation across the entire design/build/support lifecycle.

Automation markets have demonstrated significant volatility over the last two years.  Initially, process industries struggled, while discrete industries developed well.  We also saw different developments across regions: China experienced a dramatic reduction in automation investments, followed by a tremendous boom; while Europe and North America remained relatively stable overall. 

The increased penetration of wind, photovoltaic (PV) solar, and other distributed renewable electric generation is challenging the status quo of to-day’s electric grids and consumption patterns, requiring new grid control and pricing models for electricity. 

While digital transformation has been getting its fair share of hype in recent years, end users in the heavy process industries actually began digitizing their plants decades ago with the introduction of “smart/intelligent,” digitally integrated process transmitters and final control devices.  However, historically, pumps and valves have tended to be the last field devices for end users to digitize in their plants. 

For decades, the vast majority of consumer products have been produced in high volumes, using well-proven mass production techniques to help ensure lowest unit cost.  Most manufacturing equipment was designed to maximize overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), rather than production flexibility. 

Autonomous mobile robots (AMR), a form of automated guided vehicles (AGV), are widely used in warehouses today.