Full portfolio of smart devices provide intelligent insights to expertly address new challenges: ABB India

Globally, nearly everyone is very familiar with Asea Brown Boveri or ABB. It was formed in 1988 when Sweden's Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget, and Switzerland's Brown, Boveri & Cie, merged to create ASEA Brown Boveri. It was later simplified to the initials ABB. ABB Ltd is a Swedish-Swiss multinational corporation headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland.

I met up with three executives at ABB India, in an attempt to learn more about their business. First, excerpts from the meeting with Uday Sampat, Head of Sales & Marketing, Distribution Solutions, Electrification, ABB India.

DQ: How is ABB's data center portfolio contributing to the industry's growth and development? Are there any new technologies launched by ABB?

Uday Sampat: As a technology leader in the field of data centers, ABB has innovative and sustainable solutions that provide reliable energy and crucial insights to enable mission critical intelligent operations. ABB’s complete line of low to medium voltage electrical components and associated automation solution facilitate intelligent grid connection to improve availability and quality of power today.

ABB’s full portfolio of smart devices provide the intelligent insights needed to expertly address new challenges that data centers will face today and in the future. At a time when data centers cannot leave their uptime to chance, ABB stands as a trusted, reliable, and proven technology partner to achieve a more productive and sustainable future with over 100 years of electrification experience across the globe.

ABB has recently launched MegaFlex DPA (Decentralized Parallel Architecture) UPS solutions for the Indian market. The first of its kind sustainable UPS is part of ABB’s EcoSolutions portfolio, and complies with the ABB circularity framework. It has been designed for a high-density computing environment with the highest efficiency rating and the lowest footprint.

We are pioneers in the field of core switching and protection technologies. We were the first to introduce the latest technologies like Internal arc tested switchgears, eco-ready gas-insulated switchgears, IEC 61850-compliant IEDs, which are deployed extensively in data centers. We are extremely proud of our in-house capability to deliver highly engineered and complex projects for data centers with a very high say-to-do ratio to meet the challenging and stringent delivery requirements of data centers.

We support data center clients with a wide range of products and solutions ranging from a 9 cm vacuum interrupter component, DIN rail products to a 25 meters electric power distribution center.

DQ: What are the current data center industry challenges? What solutions is ABB providing to overcome them?

Uday Sampat: While data centers have been leading the way on sustainability, being responsible for two percent of the global power consumption, this creates pressure for even more green data centers. And with the ever-increasing demand for data and the internet of things (IoT), the race towards carbon neutrality and sustainability, it remains one of the biggest challenges for data centers.

ABB’s complete electrical and automation portfolio provides energy efficiency and energy insights that help data centers monitor and reduce power usage. Additionally, advancements in high efficiency and environmentally friendly technology support lower carbon emissions. ABB has a wide selection of high-efficiency solutions which can reduce power consumption, including ECOPassport and Energy Star label Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS).

The ECO GIS from ABB’s basket is another cutting-edge technology to help green data centers contributing for sustainability and future ready solution. We are very product to say that all our products and solutions are manufactured in facilities which are ESG certified and which deploy lean manufacturing processes to avoid and eliminate waste’s.

DQ: How does ABB support data center operators' need to maintain high volume uptime for a qualitative service?

Uday Sampat: To keep up with rapid growth, data centers have led the implementation of digital technologies to strengthen their electrical infrastructure and guarantee maximum uptime. These digital solutions, which can range from energy monitoring and management to asset intelligence, provide the intelligence and visibility required to anticipate and avoid costly downtime.

ABB helps data center operators with cutting-edge technology to maximize uptime. ABB solutions are reliable by design, they provide first level support through Collaborative Operations for electrical systems as well as fast support and easy-to-access operation and troubleshooting guides through immersive augmented reality environment.

ABB Ability Asset Manager is a state-of-the art cloud solution that provides full visibility of asset condition to maximize uptime and reduce maintenance costs by up to 40 percent. Our GIS equipment are practically maintenance free with a very high MTBF ensuring high reliability and availability for the data center.

ABB also keeps reliability as a top priority for their offerings, for example using ultra-low harmonic drives to boost uptime for mission critical facilities and optimize cooling systems. Reduce equipment over dimensioning, thanks to low harmonics and save energy.

Next, Subrata Karmakar, President, Robotics & Discrete Automation, ABB India, gave us an insight on robotics.

DQ: How is the autonomous mobile robot (AMR) market for ABB? Can you elaborate on the advantages of automated guided vehicles (AVGs) and AMRs?

Subrata Karmakar: Contrary to the widespread misconception that AGVs / AMRs are pricey and invasive, this technology is flexible and reliable in its integration in various layouts, and these are not the only benefits that facilities can accrue from these systems.

AGVs work autonomously and make transport tasks less physically demanding for workers. Apart from increasing productivity and efficiency, they are very reliable for repetitive tasks. With AGVs / AMRs from AMR ABB Robotics, order prioritization and processing are more dependable. Safety is essential for these machines and the best automated guided vehicles come with advanced safety systems.

Having been many years in this business, AMR ABB robotics can boast of flawless safety features like emergency stop buttons, safety laser scanners, safety PLCs, fork tip sensors, and warning systems.

Having flexible AGV / AMRs technology in a facility offers an opportunity to scale manufacturing processes. If a business needs a larger line dimension, it can easily add workstations and AGVs / AMRs. Compared to traditional conveyor systems, AGVs / AMRs offer better space utilization, and AMR ABB Robotics solutions use the latest navigation systems to help you achieve this goal in your plants. The integration of AGVs / AMRs help reduce operation cost and maintain efficiency. Labor savings aside, AGVs / AMRs also bring savings related to flexibility, safety and accuracy.

DQ: How are you helping create the flexible factories of the future?

Subrata Karmakar: Our aim is to unlock the possibilities of flexible robotics automation for all customers and industries. We continuously strive to unlock flexible automation for new industries by applying our deep industry expertise, our integrated approach to automation and our innovative portfolio for value creating solutions.

ABB’s intelligent robotics solutions support businesses well beyond traditional manufacturing, increasing productivity and flexibility in high growth segments. Our Cobot family enable businesses to automate repetitive, dirty or dangerous jobs, to avoid needing to engage humans in these tasks.

With a robot’s ability to work directly alongside humans, share tasks and learn through AI, companies can also adopt intelligent automation more easily in new environments, from construction to healthcare laboratories, to food and beverage packaging facilities. In fact, we see the next growth wave at the point of consumption –from restaurants to retail.

DQ: Expand on ABB's role in 5G smart manufacturing with Ericsson.

Subrata Karmakar: ABB and Ericsson have been collaborating on various research activities on industrial connectivity since a few years. Together, we are driving the digital transformation of industries, seizing the full potential of 5G connectivity for collaborative automation and digitalization, with greater simplicity, flexibility and productivity for our manufacturing customers around the world.

ABB contributes with its domain expertise to design 5G capabilities for the industrial applications of tomorrow. Backed by years of strong collaboration in research on 5G, AI and industrial IoT, including a joint 5G laboratory in Vasteras, Sweden, ABB and Ericsson are pushing the boundaries of technology in factory automation.

Finally, I had a discussion with N Srinivas, Head of Operations, Energy Industries, ABB India.

DQ: How is ABB shaping wireless automation?

N Srinivas: With the megatrend of digitalization ramping up quickly, industries are looking to improve competitiveness through deeper integration of value networks, operations processes, and production equipment.

Digital tools, AI, robotics, automation, and the cloud are becoming essential for efficient, agile, and enhanced productivity. Serving customers in utilities, industry, transport, and infrastructure globally, ABB’s two-fold mission is to bring electricity from any power plant to any plug and to fully automate the industrial process from natural resources to finished products.

Globally, we have been active in shaping 5G from the automation perspective to unlock its value for the customer applications. We are innovating and transforming the way flexible and wireless automation solutions can deliver the ability to be connected, enabling factory owners to respond to evolving demands.

DQ: With automation and intelligent networks, what can the future of hyper-flexible factories look like?

N Srinivas: 5G is here, and its application in several ways is being explored in several Industry 4.0 initiatives worldwide. With 5G, manufacturers can connect more sensors, devices, and assets through a single network, giving them better visibility into the supply chain from procurement to distribution. The possibilities for these connected devices are nearly endless. For example, they could help improve predictive maintenance and operational efficiency on the factory floor as well as prevent theft and quality issues within logistics channels.

Powered by 5G, manufacturers’ production environment can operate without the complexity that was traditionally associated with wireless automation, while connecting more devices than ever before thanks to the low latency and high data volume capabilities of the technology.

DQ: How are you looking at protecting Industry 4.0 with security?

N Srinivas: Security remains the foundation for building industrial systems based on the Internet of Things, as they are particularly exposed to physical and cyber security risks. ABB provides the defense-in-depth security required for digital solutions in mission-critical applications and industries.

The majority of the 70 million ABB-connected devices working for customers around the world require built-in safety standards that, by definition, must also be secure. Everything from controller hardware to RAP software is designed to ensure optimized and uninterrupted operations.

As even industrial systems become more connected and reliant on AI, ensuring robust cybersecurity will be crucial. AI can be employed for threat detection, anomaly detection, and real-time response to mitigate cyber threats and protect critical infrastructure.

DQ: Is there any industry standard or framework for an Industry 4.0 safety system?

N Srinivas: Industry 4.0 aims to facilitate the interaction between humans and technology by providing information at all industrial plant levels. The underlying principle of Industry 4.0 is that all systems including those devices that utilize IP addresses are connecting to the globally accessible Internet infrastructure directly or via wireless. It is, therefore, a key imperative that the Industry 4.0 plant system environment is verified as being cyber-secure. ABB has a proven track record of successfully delivering and installing safety systems worldwide.

DQ: What will be the future of industrial AI?

N Srinivas: Industries are more than before relying on sophisticated digital technology to accelerate growth with enhanced efficiency and cost-optimization. Industrial AI will facilitate greater collaboration between humans and machines. AI systems can assist workers in complex tasks, provide real-time feedback and guidance, and enhance overall productivity. This collaboration is expected to lead to safer work environments, increased efficiency, and improved decision-making.

As AI becomes deeply integrated into industrial processes, ethical considerations will gain importance. Ensuring transparency, fairness, accountability, and responsible use of AI will be essential to mitigate potential risks and build trust among stakeholders

DQ: What will be the future of PLC in the cloud?

N Srinivas: PLCs are witnessing an increased demand and technology innovation given its capabilities and benefits across various industrial automation applications. By leveraging cloud connectivity, PLCs can transmit data to cloud-based systems for real-time monitoring and control. Engineers and operators can remotely access PLC data, monitor machine performance, troubleshoot issues, and adjust parameters, leading to improved operational efficiency and reduced downtime.

Cloud-based PLC systems can integrate with data analytics and machine learning platforms to gain insights from vast amounts of data collected from multiple PLCs. By applying advanced analytics techniques, such as predictive modeling and anomaly detection, industries can optimize processes, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.

A programmable logic controller (PLC) is a small, modular solid state computer with customized instructions for performing a particular task.

DQ: What more can be done for making IIoT more collaborative?

N Srinivas: For us to achieve digital transformation of industries, it is vital to develop and offer innovative and connective services and products. This means having a vision for factory innovation where possibilities of 5G can be expanded, boundaries of IIoT can be pushed, and the goals of flexible production can be realized. Connecting devices more than ever is key in this case.

The future of manufacturing beholds that we must move from physical investment to digital infrastructure –strong learning from Covid-19. We need to encourage the use of open platforms and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that allow different systems and devices to interact and exchange data easily.

Open APIs enable developers to create applications and services that can integrate with multiple IIoT platforms, fostering collaboration and innovation. Integrating IIoT systems with other emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, etc. These actions can unlock many new possibilities and enable collaborative problem-solving.