AI and IoT Driving Industrial Automation

Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

I have a total of 40 years of experience. I have worked with manufacturing, EPC, OEM, and automation industries. The technical domains of the automobile, material handling, non-conventional energy, Oil & Gas, fertilizers, pulp & paper, metals & mining, captive power plants, cement, pharma, petrochemicals, etc. This is in the capacity of design engineering, presales, project & operations management, presales & site execution. Out of 40 years, the last 15 years are in leadership roles.

Q2. What sectors (e.g., manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceuticals) are most aggressively adopting industrial automation, and what drives their adoption?

The sectors adopting industrial automation aggressively are:

• Automobile
• Oil & Gas
• Pharma
• Refining & Petrochemical sector

Q3. What are the untapped opportunities in AI and IoT for industrial automation, particularly in predictive maintenance and real-time operations management?

To the best of my knowledge, AI and IoT are spreading their wings in almost all sectors. However, adoption may be a little lower in sectors like Food and beverage and pharmaceuticals, mainly due to validation requirements.

Q4. What strategies are companies employing to integrate new automation technologies,…