Partnership and Technological Integration between Yokogawa and Shell
Yokogawa Electric Corporation has recently formalized a significant long-term agreement with Shell Global Solutions to innovate and enhance technologies aimed at integrating robots and drones into plant monitoring and maintenance. This strategic partnership underscores a shared vision of leveraging advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and safety in industries such as energy and chemicals.
The Role of Operator Round by Exception (ORE)
At the core of this collaboration lies the advanced machine vision tool called Operator Round by Exception (ORE), which has been meticulously developed by Shell over a two-year period. ORE employs machine vision and AI analytics to empower robots to autonomously execute critical tasks traditionally performed by human operators during routine checks. These tasks include reading gauges, checking for leaks, and identifying potential machinery issues. The incorporation of ORE into Yokogawa’s OpreX Robot Management Core exemplifies an intelligent fusion of expertise and technology that enhances operational capabilities.
Enhancing OpreX Robot Management Core
Yokogawa’s OpreX Robot Management Core is a flagship product within its suite of robotic solutions. This comprehensive software platform facilitates the management of diverse robot types engaged in plant maintenance, ensuring that these tasks are executed with greater safety and efficiency. By integrating ORE, Yokogawa aims to broaden the range of use cases available to its customers, ultimately paving the way for more robust and sophisticated operational frameworks.
The combination of ORE and OpreX enables organizations to connect plant control and safety systems directly with robotic operations, allowing data gathered by robots to influence real-time decision-making processes.
Pilot Deployment in Shell Facilities
In a progressive step forward, Yokogawa’s robotics solutions will be piloted at two Shell facilities, setting the stage for a real-world demonstration of how robotics and drones can enhance efficiencies in plant monitoring and maintenance. This pilot program will serve as a valuable testbed for observing the practical implications of the technology integration, and its potential to revolutionize conventional operational workflows.
Collaboration at the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam
This partnership marks a pivotal milestone in the collaboration between Yokogawa and Shell, particularly within the broader framework of the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam. Established in 2022, this campus serves as a congregating platform for transformative ideas, bringing together businesses, societal organizations, governmental bodies, and academic institutions to foster innovations in energy solutions for the future.
Roadmap for Research and Development
Both companies are committed to a joint research and development roadmap, a strategic alignment that will facilitate the ongoing enhancement of machine vision technology. This commitment ensures that the innovations spawned from this collaboration remain at the forefront of industry needs, continuously evolving to address emerging challenges.
Comments from Company Leaders
Masaharu Maeda, Vice President and Executive Officer at Yokogawa Electric, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing its potential to mitigate workforce challenges faced by plant operators. “We are very excited to be working with Shell on this key technology field that promises to address the workforce challenges facing plant owners by significantly improving the efficiency of rounds in the field, while also reducing the inherent risk to operators,” he stated.
Echoing this sentiment, Gerben de Jong, CIO for Shell Integrated Gas, highlighted the longstanding relationship between the two companies. He remarked, “With this agreement, we are taking our relationship to the next level. Robotics solutions combined with AI provide the potential to create a step change in productivity and safety."
Looking Ahead
As the collaboration unfolds, both Yokogawa and Shell are poised to redefine operational standards within the industrial sector. Their focused efforts on integrating robotics and advanced analytics into plant operations herald a future where efficiency, safety, and sustainability coalesce to create more resilient industrial environments. This initiative not only represents technological advancement but also embodies the underlying commitment of both companies to drive innovation in the energy and industrial sectors.