Page 16 - EngineerIt January 2021

IoT

Cummins develops Connected

Solutions for construction equipment

he worksite of the future will see site managers using digital you utilised autonomous operators who directed equipment from
technologies as integrated components to drive business computer rooms instead of working on-site? The common thread
Tresults, with the Internet-of-Things and machine learning for these examples is connectivity.
becoming more than just buzzwords, according to Cummins. With advanced hardware and sensors now being increasingly
Connectivity, combined with intelligent site planning and the added to construction equipment, machines are in fact collecting
right equipment, can improve productivity while reducing costs data and learning the way sites work. These anonymous insights
and improving safety. However, adoption of the latest technologies apply machine learning to help manufacturers design more and
has been slower than expected. What are the potential challenges more advanced technologies. However, herein lies the heart of the
that site managers and industry leaders need to consider when challenge. Let us consider a simple example where a construction
designing their own infrastructure? site has 12 pieces of equipment from three OEM brands.
As the world transforms into a truly digital economy, strong Each brand could have its own telematics solution installed
and reliable connectivity will be paramount for site managers to and ready, meaning that the site manager may need to monitor
benefit from the many opportunities available to them. The good the mixed fleet through three different web portals. This could
news is that with Wi-Fi, cellular and satellite offerings, there is no negate a notable number of the expected efficiency gains. For
shortage of options when it comes to selecting internet sources or machines without factory-installed telematics solutions, external
telematics providers, whether it is flying drones, remote service providers can visit sites and add aftermarket hardware to
diagnostics, virtual service events, autonomous operators or upgrade equipment. This solution must, of course, pay for itself in
smart charging for electric equipment. Once connectivity is the long run.
prioritised as a requirement of the worksite, a new way of working And then these new sets of technology require new skills. This
becomes possible. could mean upskilling current labour or hiring new talent. Data
management will be one of the key skills, as without it the quantity
It is all about connectivity of information could prove overwhelming.
For example, imagine the productivity you could achieve if
equipment never failed while on a job because its engines were Open and agnostic technology solutions
being monitored remotely, through cloud computing systems that While challenges do exist, Cummins is building open and agnostic
can detect issues early and send software updates (similar to a technology solutions that are connectable with a range of
smartphone) to fix problems; or automatically trigger replacement telematics service providers and customer-specific systems. As its
part orders online so preventative maintenance takes place with powertrains are found in a wide variety of construction equipment,
minimal steps or time lag. it is developing a suite of Connected Solutions to help support
Alternatively, what if you knew exactly how much work you customers over the life of their equipment. n
could get done with an electric machine before its battery needed
charging? Then you could plan your charges during downtime to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CumminsAfricaME/
not only save on utility costs, but also to ensure availability during LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cummins-africa/
regular work shifts. Similarly, how much risk could you mitigate if Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cummins_Africa

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