1.
SPARKS
INNOVATION IN ACTION
AUGUST 2020

2.
Know more about the latest
announcements impacting
industry, from investments in
autonomous robotics to
advancements in remote
monitoring and innovations
that are fueling growth for the
industry.
2

3.
Action in uncertainty
is survival, innovation
is revival and growth
Eric Schaeffer,
Senior Managing Director,
Global Industrial Sector Lead, Accenture
3

4.
Carrier launches IoT
platform
Carrier Global Corporation has launched a new platform aimed
at maximizing connected equipment uptime at a low cost. The
BluEdge service platform offers a tiered suite of services
across the three Carrier segments and can be tailored to a
customer’s unique needs across : Heating, Ventilating and Air
Conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration and fire & security.
At the highest tier, Elite, BlueEdge can prevent issues from
ever occurring by automatically extracting insights from data
and deploying the right solution. Enhance tier customers can
create a custom package of on-demand services, while Core
customers will receive expert advice and services when
needed. Carrier’s launch customers include Marioff Marine and
EcoEnergy Insights, with a wider rollout expected in late 2020.
Read full article
4

5.
GE aims to half design
time with AI
GE Research has been awarded $2.1 million by ARPA-E’s
DIFFERENTIATE program to build an AI-based framework that
will half the time it takes to design complex, aerodynamic
components. Typically equipment such as gas turbine blades
take more than a year to design and require cost versus
performance compromises. GE is working with the University
of Notre Dame to develop an invertible neural network that will
reduce design time to a matter of months. The network will be
able to translate the desired performance metrics into the
ideal design required to achieve them. In the future it could be
used to design hydro turbines, wind turbines and much more.
Read full article
5

6.
Daikin launches
subscription service
The Japanese air conditioning firm has developed the
subscription service with clean energy company WASSHA.
Baridi Baridi Inc. customers will be able to rent air conditioners
on a daily, weekly or monthly basis and pay for subscriptions
via a smartphone. The joint venture will benefit from
WASSHA’s expertise in renting LED lanterns to off-grid areas in
Tanzania, and Baridi Baridi will initially launch in the East
African country. Daikin will have an 80% controlling share of
the subscription service, and Baridi Baridi will launch with an
initial investment of JPY100 million.
Read full article
6

7.
Alstom’s AI enables
social distancing
Alstom has launched an updated version of its Mastria digital
mobility tool, designed to predict and optimise passenger
flow. The tool monitors passenger activity on trains and at
stations, and the enhanced version will give operators greater
abilities to ensure movements abide by social distancing rules.
Mastria combines data from train sensors, ticketing machines,
traffic signalling, management systems, surveillance cameras
and mobile networks to provide a real time snapshot of
passenger flow. It uses that data to provide recommendations,
such as increasing train frequency or restricting entry to
stations. The system is already being used to reduce train load
to 40% capacity to abide by pandemic-related regulations.
Read full article
7

8.
Caterpillar buys
Marble Robot
As part of the acquisition, Caterpillar has hired Marble’s
robotics experts in order to boost its own automation strategy.
Marble makes delivery robots, and its expertise will be applied
to Caterpillar’s current automation systems in the
construction, quarry, industrial and waste industries.
In a further sign of its commitment to advanced automation,
Caterpillar is now using the MineStar Edge technology
platform. Edge uses machine learning and AI to recognize
patterns and automate decision-making. According to
MineStar, a phosphate mine using the technology was able to
increase the average tons per load by 15%, while a limestone
quarry increased production by 20%.
Read full article
8

9.
China develops 5G
hydrogen tractor
China has launched the first 5G-enabled, self-driving,
hydrogen fuel-cell electric tractor in the Henan province. The
ET504-H tractor - which can be controlled remotely or use a
self-driving mode - was developed by the country’s National
Institute of Agro-machinery Innovation and Creation (CHIAIC)
and experts from Tsinghua University's Tianjin Research
Institute for Advanced Equipment. A lithium battery helps
increase the tractor’s power supply when it’s carrying a heavy
load, while the 5G technology enables real time monitoring of
the immediate environment and of the vehicle itself.
Read full article
9

10.
Doosan Infracore
speeds up surveys
The South Korean machinery manufacturer has launched
Site Cloud, a solution aimed at completing construction
surveys and earthwork calculations in one or two days,
rather than weeks. The platform enables 3D drone surveys,
earthwork volume calculations and construction planning to
be managed within the cloud platform, increasing
efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. Everything from
analysis of rock formations to construction management
can be controlled within Site Cloud by multiple parties. The
company plans to use 5G to expand Site Cloud for use in
large-scale construction equipment operations.
Read full article
10

11.
Bridgestone tyres get
Microsoft Tech
The tyre and rubber manufacturer has joined with Microsoft to
develop a tyre damage detection system. While aspects of tyre
safety such as inadequate pressure already have alert systems,
physical damage to the tyres can often go undetected and put
drivers at risk. Bridgestone’s Tyre Damage Monitoring System
uses the Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform and existing
car sensors to detect anything impacting the tyre surface and
carcass. Algorithms process that information in real time and
alert the driver to any risk, along with exactly when and where
the damage occurred. Road agencies can also be alerted to
any damage on the roads, and future autonomous vehicles
would automatically receive the same warnings.
Read full article
11

12.
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1. Carrier launches IoT platform
https://ir.carrier.com/news-releases/news-release-details/carrier-launches-bluedge-service-platform-differentiated-tiered/
2. GE aims to half design time with AI
https://www.ge.com/news/press-releases/ge-integrating-ai-enable-performance-informed-gas-turbine-inverse-design-0
3. Daikin launches subscription service
https://www.daikin.com/press/2020/200616/
4. Alstom’s AI enables social distancing
https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2020/6/alstom-offers-artificial-intelligence-solution-ensure-passenger
5. Caterpillar buys Marble Robot
https://www.caterpillar.com/en/news/caterpillarNews/customer-dealer-product/robotics-expertise-marble.html
6. China develops 5G hydrogen tractor
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2020-06/16/content_76170225.htm
7. Doosan Infracore speeds up surveys
https://www.doosaninfracore.com/en/company/media/news-view/20174922
8. Bridgestone tyres get Microsoft Tech
https://www.bridgestonenewsroom.eu/brandportal/bridgestonepr/default/news-detail/1092?lang=eu
References