Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have become a part of conversations in almost all walks of life. Although not new, advancements in these technologies is enabling their use in a range of industries and applications as well as continued assessment of additional use cases.
But what about in the hydraulics and pneumatics sector? Is there a place for AI and ML in the fluid power industry?
The general consensus the Power & Motion team has heard to date is that, yes there are use cases for these technologies but they are not yet widely adopted by the industry as a whole. During a presentation at the National Fluid Power Association's (NFPA) 2024 Industry & Economic Outlook Conference, Mike Marks of Indian River Consulting Group said the results of a survey conducted of NFPA members indicated many are still taking a wait and see approach when it comes to AI.
From what Marks presented and others in the industry have noted, how best to apply AI and ML to fluid power systems and business practices remains the question at hand for many.
In a webinar with Power & Motion, Frank Latino, Global Product Manager, Electric Automation at Festo Americas, pointed to three benefits he sees to deploying AI in fluid power applications:
- improving maintenance processes,
- increasing product quality and
- lowering energy consumption.
