**London**: Nokia has introduced MX Context, an AI-driven sensor fusion solution that integrates IoT data for industrial automation. The initiative aims to improve real-time situational awareness, asset tracking, and worker safety, revolutionising efficiency and safety in various industrial sectors.
Nokia has unveiled a new artificial intelligence-powered sensor fusion solution named MX Context, which is set to revolutionise industrial automation by integrating multi-modal Internet of Things (IoT) data streams into a cohesive platform. This initiative is alongside the deployment of private 4G and 5G networks, facilitating real-time situational awareness for enterprises, as well as removing data silos and enhancing the automation of industrial operations.
MX Context is designed to work seamlessly with Nokia’s industrial edge computing offerings, which comprise various components. These include MXIE, an edge compute solution that enables real-time data processing; MX Grid, a far-edge computing hardware platform that brings computing power closer to industrial operations; and the MXIE Data Lake, which archives structured and unstructured sensor data for future analysis and AI training. Additionally, MX Workmate serves as a generative AI assistant that facilitates human-machine collaboration through natural language interactions.
The integration of diverse IoT sensors and tracking systems is crucial in modern industrial settings, though data streams are often compartmentalised, which hinders their effectiveness. MX Context aims to overcome this challenge by fusing data from disparate sources, such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tracking solutions, worker-worn sensors including gyroscopes and accelerometers, and computer vision systems like Nokia’s Visual Position and Object Detection (VPOD).
One of the key advantages of MX Context is its capability to enhance industrial asset tracking through precision technologies. This encompasses Bluetooth Angle-of-Arrival for indoor positioning, GPS and GNSS for outdoor monitoring, and video-based tracking to observe movement patterns and identify objects. Such integration ensures continuous tracking across various industrial environments, thereby optimising inventory management and the smooth flow of materials.
In addition to asset tracking, MX Context also prioritises worker safety through its hazard detection system. The suite employs computer vision to identify incidents such as slips or falls, utilising an accelerometer in the worker’s device to confirm the impact. The AI then processes this information, dispatching alerts to emergency responders in real-time, thus adopting a proactive approach to workplace safety and potentially reducing workplace accidents.
Nokia has introduced a low-code visual development tool alongside MX Context, allowing industrial engineers to create custom automation workflows without requiring extensive programming expertise. This tool empowers users to design interactive dashboards for real-time insights and deploy AI-driven solutions tailored to specific industrial applications, facilitating a smoother digital transformation in various sectors.
Furthermore, Nokia’s new industrial routers come equipped with built-in sensors, including environmental sensors and advanced GNSS chips for precise outdoor positioning. These routers function as intelligent data hubs, reinforcing AI-based automation and enhancing real-time insights into machine operations.
The global sensor fusion market is expected to experience significant growth, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.8% and a target value of $18 billion by the year 2028, suggesting a rising demand for integrated solutions that unify IoT sensor data to improve efficiency and safety. Industry experts note that sensor fusion and AI are essential components for advancing core industrial automation applications, with Nokia’s MX Context being positioned as a groundbreaking solution in this arena.
Ryan Martin of ABI Research remarked, “Sensor fusion and AI are key capabilities for core industrial automation applications such as robotics, autonomous work cells, and human-machine collaboration. Nokia, with its private wireless and on-premise industrial edge compute, is well positioned to offer critical use cases for worker safety and tracking and positioning.” Meanwhile, Stephan Litjens from Nokia stated, “AI is becoming a strategic element for Industry 4.0 transformation. Nokia’s on-premise compute capabilities offer innovative AI solutions that are OT-compliant and bring the contextual awareness needed for industrial use cases.”
As the industrial sector increasingly embraces AI and sensor fusion technologies, Nokia’s MX Context is anticipated to lead the charge in shaping the future of automation, yielding critical benefits in operational efficiency, safety, and informed decision-making processes across industries.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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