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August 29, 2024, by Jürg Meierhofer, ZHAW and Gundula Heinatz Bürki, data innovation alliance

In the age of Industry 4.0, the manufacturing landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. The smart factory concept, which centers on creating value from data and utilizing smart data solutions, is at the forefront of this revolution. In the framework of the Smart Data Forum at the “maintenance” fair (https://www.maintenance-schweiz.ch/) on August 29, 2024, three industry presentations from companies ABB and Kistler as well as a research presentation from ZHAW were given around this topic. The numerous audience was engaged in lively discussions. Many thanks to Markus Rodermann, Gerrit Schatte, Helmut Sedding, and Christian Oehrli for their valuable contributions.

The first presentation gave a deep dive into the integration of IoT (Internet of Things) technology in manufacturing, emphasizing its pivotal role in Industry 4.0. IoT enables automation, predictive maintenance, and asset tracking, which are game-changers for modern factories. Connected devices are not just enhancing productivity; they are also significantly improving worker safety on the shop floor. By automating routine tasks and monitoring conditions in real-time, IoT-driven solutions lead to more efficient and safer manufacturing processes.

Moreover, the environmental impact cannot be overlooked. IoT applications in industrial settings have the potential to drastically reduce energy consumption and associated costs. This contributes to more sustainable manufacturing practices, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints. The keynote highlighted how these advancements are not just theoretical but are already being implemented to drive tangible results.

Additionally, the presentations delved into the use of sensors and data analytics in monitoring manufacturing processes and infrastructure. Real-world examples, such as the monitoring of wheel-rail interactions for railway applications and the surveillance of bridge conditions, were used to illustrate the practical benefits of these technologies.

By leveraging sensor data, manufacturers can gain insights into the health of their processes and infrastructure in real-time. This capability allows for early detection of potential issues, reducing downtime and preventing costly failures. The ability to continuously monitor and analyze data ensures that manufacturing operations remain efficient and that critical infrastructure is maintained to the highest standards.

As resource planning is a critical aspect of manufacturing, there was an additional focus on how modern AI technology is enhancing this process. Traditionally, Gantt charts have been used to visualize objectives like efficiency and punctuality in resource planning. However, manual planning involves an experienced planner who accounts for both written and unwritten constraints—something that automated planning software often struggles with.

The introduction of AI changes the game by providing planners with a natural language interface that they can interact with intuitively. This allows for real-time adjustments to plans, closing the gap between automated scheduling and the realities of execution. This breakthrough is a significant step towards democratizing automated planning, making it more accessible and practical for industries across the board.

Adding a very interesting perspective, we explored the critical question of how to measure user value in smart applications. It was emphasized that both measurable values and the emotional impact of applications play crucial roles in determining their success. Understanding how users interact with and perceive these applications is key to improving existing solutions and guiding the development of new ones. The importance of focusing on user experience to ensure that smart applications deliver tangible benefits was highlighted. Whether it’s enhancing productivity, reducing costs, or simply making processes easier to manage, the ability to measure and optimize user value is essential in the ongoing evolution of smart technologies.

Conclusion

The event showcased the immense potential of smart factories powered by data and intelligent technologies. From IoT integration to AI-driven resource planning, each presentation highlighted different facets of how data and smart solutions are transforming manufacturing. As industries continue to adopt these innovations, the future of manufacturing looks smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable.

By Milena Perraudin, data innovation alliance

It was truly inspiring to see so many innovative ways data-driven methods can improve the lives of animals, humans, and society as a whole. From improving our behavior in front of screens, detecting distress in horses, and facilitating the mobility of people in wheelchairs to identifying small damages in bridges and more. The Innovation Booster Databooster, powered by Innosuisse, supported a wide range of fascinating projects. Read on to get inspired by the highlights of the Project Day on June 25th, 2024, at Oracle in Zurich. An afternoon where 35 data enthusiasts gathered to gain firsthand insights into the innovation journeys and lessons learned from innovators, exchange ideas, and network together.

The afternoon started with Huseyn Gasimov from Intelec AI, who presented their newly developed app. The app, still in its early stages, aims to improve children’s behavior in front of screens by ensuring they maintain an appropriate distance. The vision is to develop an app that runs in the background of digital devices, informing users when they unconsciously position themselves in unhealthy ways.

In the following presentation, Miriam Baumgartner from Agroscope informed the audience about their ability to detect distress in horses in free-range stables. The sensor-based data allows horse owners to track the well-being of their horses from a distance and avoid stress-based injuries.

The next presenter Dirk Zimanky from edisconet summarized their project as follows: “As seasoned professionals leave the workforce, the risk of losing valuable tacit experience “Silent Knowledge” looms large. Yet, collecting this tacit knowledge holds immense potential for future growth and success, both on individual and organizational levels.

edisconet is developing a platform that utilizes advanced AI techniques, such as scripted interviews transforming spoken knowledge into a usable format stored within databases. The Silent Knowledge project seeks to seamlessly convert tacit expert knowledge into new learnings, at the same time optimizing the training process for newcomers.” Do you want to try out the current state of the app and its abilities? Download the app Memoro and see for yourself. 

Other highlights included the presentation from Iman El Telt from Topo Helvetica. Their Slowlution project aims at facilitating travel and mobility for people in wheelchairs. Additionally, Giulia Aguzzi from Kistler Instrumente demonstrated how they use Graph Neural Networks to detect abnormalities in bridge structures to ensure long-term stability.

After a refreshing networking break, participants were introduced to the projects “SkyScan: Object Detection from Limited Flight Data” presented by Eric Chaubert from ELIX. Massimo Menzio from MTF and Ayoub Omran from SUPSI presented a novelty for the construction industry: an innovative tool for simplifying the drafting of buildings’ specifications. 

Manuel Kugler, from our partner SATW, presented the results of an incredible collaborative effort involving 70 domain experts on how to use the power of AI to mitigate the impact of climate change on Switzerland. Michele Bolla from ERNI provided insights into the benefits of open data value creation that were addressed in a cross-industry workshop.

Indiana Valerian from ANTS presented their journey towards a local and more affordable Machine Learning setup with distributed hardware to enable innovation with a chatGPT-type AI-assistant while keeping data safe and local.

Before the networking apéro, participants were introduced to further funding opportunities for national and transnational projects by Tim Llewellynn from EU Research and Frank Wolff, an Innosuisse Mentor.

Once again, participants left inspired, having connected with old and new data enthusiasts. Tomas Tamfal, Data Scientist at ERNI, summarized it well: „It’s always inspiring to be part of such innovative discussions and to connect with brilliant minds in the industry.“

See you next time!

By Jürg Meierhofer, ZHAW

Visit at the Kistler Innovation Lab in Winterthur

On June 20, the Expert Group Smart Services (https://data-innovation.org/smart-services/) had the chance to visit the Kistler innovation lab in Winterthur. The visit provided an impressive insight into the increasing intertwining of physical and digital processes, which unlocks countless new possibilities and opportunities. Kistler, a global leader in dynamic measurement technology, recognizes this potential. In their Innovation Lab, they harness data-driven insights to create innovative services and solutions. 

The afternoon started with impressive presentations by Johannes Stühler, Head of Service Development, Sharon Joseph, Data Engineer, and Gerrit Schatte Lead Projects / Biz Dev Innovation Lab. Profound discussions unfolded between these experts and the participants of the expert group. Numerous opportunities for further discussions were also recognized and new contacts were made.

The round of presentations was followed by a factory visit, which gave in-depth insight into the technological and value-adding processes of Kistler. At the concluding aperitif, the discussions could be deepened and further initiatives were initiated.

By Jürg Meierhofer, ZHAW

Value creation through Smart Services in business ecosystems is a relevant topic with significant, yet largely untapped potential. In these business ecosystems, the essential focus is on understanding value creation for the stakeholders, quantifying it, and balancing it within the ecosystem. Leveraging data in value creation opens up new possibilities and, when properly designed, can also promote sustainable value creation.

The CAS Smart Service Engineering at ZHAW School of Engineering conducted four case studies on May 30th and 31st, 2024, at the Mobiliar Forum to optimize ecosystem design. Innovative approaches were developed to understand value creation for the stakeholders and achieve balance within the ecosystem. Special thanks to Fabrizio Laneve and Ina Goller for their work!

By Jürg Meierhofer, ZHAW

Workshop by the Expert Group Smart Services at the Swiss Conference on Data Science 2024, May 30

In this workshop, participants explored the critical role of social values in shaping corporate practices. The session kicked off with an introduction, emphasizing the impact of social values on today’s business landscape. The subsequent input presentation delved into defining social values and their relevance to business strategies. Attendees gained insights from an ongoing qualitative study conducted by students at ZHAW and HSLU, which showcased successful integration of social values into corporate practices. Additionally, results from a previous Expert Group meeting on Smart Services were shared, highlighting the benefits of aligning business objectives with social values.

Social value creation by companies can be fostered through specific design of business processes and services. A current master project at ZHAW investigates how these processes and services should be designed to achieve a desired social value outcome. Following a presentation of intermediate results of this study, the interactive dialogue allowed participants to discuss challenges and opportunities related to implementing social values within businesses. Insights and experiences were exchanged, and potential hurdles were identified.

By Jürg Meierhofer, ZHAW

The recent “Service Lunch: Eating, Learning, Networking” event featured Chris Bochsler from Cando, who shared practical examples of how AI can enable innovative smart services in the field of energy management. By leveraging customer documents and real-time data, Cando successfully linked these resources to an LLM (RAG) framework, resulting in more relevant and valuable outcomes.

Cando’s approach involved integrating the LLM (RAG) framework into various apps. This strategic move also earned them the “Best of Swiss App” Award in Innovation.. By seamlessly incorporating AI capabilities, they enhanced user experiences and delivered valuable services. The LLM (RAG) framework demonstrated versatility by catering to both smaller and larger companies, adapting to different contexts and providing customized services based on specific needs.

One example is Koster Home, a home energy manager, which integrated the LLM (RAG) framework into its home system, including components like heat pumps and photovoltaic (PV) panels. The system helps users determine optimal times for charging their electric cars or suggests solutions for low shower water pressure.

Cando’s energy management system integrates numerous data sources, such as production trends or weather forecasts. For instance, if a steep temperature increase is predicted, the system recommends adjusting heating settings. Or it issues warnings when anomalies occur, translating technical information into a user-specific language (e.g., layperson vs. technical expert).

Learnings included the need to monitor quality, balance data quantity, and stay informed about rapid AI development. The technical approach using the LLM (RAG) framework proved effective. The system combined structured and non-structured data, contextualized information, and utilized vector embeddings. Looking ahead, Cando aims to ensure operational stability through AIOps, maintain quality assurance, or explore ontologies and knowledge graphs. Their innovative use of AI and data integration exemplifies how smart services can evolve and adapt.

By Jürg Meierhofer, ZHAW

In a half-day workshop organized by the Expert Group Smart Services on March 28, participants from seven different organizations (data science, tech, sensoring systems, insurance, service design) came together to explore effective strategies for managing risks of operating industrial assets. The workshop focused on various aspects of risk mitigation, including preventive measures, impact reduction, and decision-making processes. 

Preventing risks before they occur is crucial for maintaining a secure and efficient business environment of industrial assets. Our discussions highlighted the preventive measures primarily by technical solutions. Leveraging technology, such as sensor-based monitoring systems, enhances risk detection and early intervention. By proactively identifying potential threats, organizations can prevent adverse outcomes.

However, technologies for preventive and reactive measures open the door for prescriptive measures. This can result in optimizing the performance of an asset over its lifecycle. In this manner, risk mitigation expands into a broader context of asset value optimization, while insurance adopts the perspective of investment optimization. Departing from the conclusion of the predecessor workshop in August 2023 (https://databooster.ch/databooster-workshop-managing-financial-risks-of-smart-services/), the discussion moved to the question of the extent to which technical solutions are scalable or have to be developed from scratch for each application case. We concluded that certain verticals can be effectively standardized for scalability, while others remain within the realm of specialized solutions.

By Milena Perraudin, data innovation alliance

The Expert Day on March 19, 2024 was held for the first time at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) in Brugg-Windisch. Welcoming over 40 participants, the event enfolded plenty of opportunities for engagement within the three Expert Groups: ‘Smart Maintenance’, ‘AI in Finance & Insurance’,  and ‘Spatial Data’ as well as the Expert Group in planning ‘Governance for Growth with Data & AI’. For those interested in joining the latter group, please contact us at info.office@data-innovation.org.

The event started with two thought-provoking keynotes. The first ‘Eyes on Human-Data Interaction’ by Prof. Dr. Arzu Çöltekin, FHNW, highlighted how eye movement tracking can enhance human-computer interactions, emphasizing the importance of designing data-based products with the end user in mind. The second keynote, ‘Lessons learned on scaling after 1 year of GenAI’, by Dr. Marcin Pietrzyk, co-founder and CEO of Unit8, shed light on the significance of GenAI and its mostly underused potential in realizing value in production at scale. A fact that the data innovation alliance wants to address together with the Innovation Boosters Artificial Intelligence and Databooster, powered by Innosuisse.

Following the keynotes, participants engaged in four breakout sessions, each focusing on a specific topic. The following paragraphs will give you a short insight into the different breakout sessions.

Workshop ‘The Future of Financial Data Analytics’ by Expert Group AI in Finance & Insurance

The Expert Group meeting jointly organized by Marc Vendramet, Andreas Blum from Unit8, and Branka Hadji Misheva from BFH, delved into two primary topics. Firstly, it offered a comprehensive exploration of AI & analytics use cases within the finance sector. Secondly, it involved brainstorming on the group’s focus areas for the upcoming year, including discussions on new event formats and collaborations.

Highlights were talks by Nicole Königstein of Wyden Capital, who shared insights on financial times series prediction in the age of transformers, and Guillaume Raille from Unit8, who presented various examples of LLMs’ use beyond chatbots, along with a detailed discussion on the challenges and opportunities associated with applying advanced LLM technologies to real-world cases.

Workshop Governance for Growth with Data & AI

Participants of this workshop gathered to delve into the full spectrum of Governance and Growth theme, as well as the opportunities with Data & AI. Frank Seifert, from adesso Schweiz AG, introduced a comprehensive management model for Governance, while Dr. Omran Ayob, from SUPSI, delved deep into the critical aspect of explainability in data governance. Participants engaged in lively discussions about the challenge of achieving higher data or model transparency (Explainability) while avoiding privacy issues.

The tension between the desire for a minimum level of governance and the need to work simply and leverage Data & AI opportunities became apparent. On one hand, holistic approaches are necessary, but on the other hand, there is a need for concrete, easily implementable measures. It’s precisely this tension that makes the topic so intriguing.

The group will continue working in this area by examining various layers of the topic, especially legal, technical, and ethical aspects, and developing Governance approaches and impulses for Growth opportunities. Our current vision includes guidelines and processes on one hand, and concrete tips and tools on the other.

Workshop ‘Hybrid approaches to intelligent maintenance’ by Expert Group Smart Maintenance

First, Dr. Kai Hencken from ABB corporate research started with an overview of predictive maintenance strategies at ABB, emphasizing the utility of traditional statistical reliability models in addressing data scarcity challenges.

After, an open discussion among participants followed, exploring potential use cases for AI integration with domain knowledge in their respective companies. Examples included condition monitoring of trains and digital twins for gas turbines. Technical solutions such as few-shot learning and the role of LLMs and generative AI in advancing condition-based and predictive maintenance were also examined.

The day concluded with an Apéro, fostering further discussions about innovative ideas among participants. We are already looking forward to the next event, as we are convinced that together we move faster.