Yokogawa and Shell Collaborate on Robotics and Drones for Plant Monitoring and Maintenance

Yokogawa Electric Corporation has formalized a long-term agreement with Shell Global Solutions International B.V. to integrate and develop technologies for utilizing robots and drones in plant monitoring and maintenance. The partnership adds an advanced machine vision tool called Operator Round by Exception (ORE) to Yokogawa's OpreXtm Robot Management Core, enabling robots to autonomously perform tasks in the operator round process, such as reading gauges and checking for leaks and machinery issues. This collaboration aims to provide cutting-edge solutions to the energy and industrial sectors, addressing workforce challenges and improving efficiency and safety.

Key Takeaways:

• Yokogawa and Shell have formalized a long-term agreement to integrate and develop technologies for using robots and drones in plant monitoring and maintenance.
• The partnership adds the Operator Round by Exception (ORE) machine vision tool to Yokogawa's OpreXtm Robot Management Core, enabling robots to autonomously perform tasks in the operator round process.
• ORE uses machine vision and AI analytics to read gauges and check for leaks and machinery issues, improving efficiency and safety.
• Yokogawa's OpreX Robot Management Core helps customers maintain facilities in a safer and more efficient manner by integrating the management of various types of robots.
• The partnership will significantly increase the number of use cases available to customers through OpreX Robot Management Core.
• The collaboration will deploy at two Shell facilities as a pilot, demonstrating the value of robotics and drones in plant monitoring and maintenance.
• Yokogawa and Shell have agreed to collaborate on an aligned R&D roadmap to further develop and enhance the machine vision technology, ensuring continuous innovation and improvement.
• The partnership underscores both companies' commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions to the energy and industrial sectors.

Statistics:

• The partnership will utilize machine vision and AI analytics to read gauges and check for potential issues, reducing the risk of human error.
• ORE technology aims to improve efficiency and safety in plant monitoring and maintenance, addressing workforce challenges in the energy and industrial sectors.
• The partnership will deploy at two Shell facilities as a pilot, with plans to make the technology available to industrial facility owners globally in the near future.
• The collaboration will further develop and enhance the machine vision technology, ensuring continuous innovation and improvement.

Sources:

• Yokogawa Electric Corporation. (n.d.). Yokogawa Collaborates with Shell on Robotics and Drones.
• Shell Global Solutions International B.V. (n.d.). Shell and Yokogawa Announce Partnership to Develop Robotics Solutions.
• Yokogawa Electric Corporation. (2022). Announcement of Establishment of OpreX Robot Management Core.