Tech Mahindra opens lab for smart manufacturing in Bengaluru

IT major Tech Mahindra on Tuesday unveiled a lab in this tech hub to develop software products and solutions for smart manufacturing.

"The lab will provide solutions for digital manufacturing, connected machines, addictive manufacturing, robotics and automation, artificial intelligence and analytics, and augmented reality and virtual reality," said the $4.2-billion company in a statement here.

The modular lab will also demonstrate solutions and products built in association with leading software and hardware vendors.

"Identifying and implementing right solutions will be critical for industries, as manufacturing will be powered by connected devices such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning with minimal human intervention," said Chief Operating Officer L. Ravichandran on the occasion.

As a specialist in digital transformation, consulting and business re-engineering, the outsourcing firm has designed the lab to showcase Industry 4.0 concepts, which are central to help building the digital backbone of client organisations.

"Industries the world over are going through a massive transformation, driven by the advances in newer technologies, especially things like IoT and Robotics," said Ravichandran on the occasion.

The infrastructure and the assets in the lab are being monetised to create customer-centric solutions and have some references while some of the customer use cases are being tested.

"We believe that we have the skills and technology to help our clients to be ready for Industry 4.0 with minimal disruption," said Global Head of Manufacturing Aloke Palsikar.

From being a labour-intensive model in the late 80s to adopting to automation tools, software and platforms, manufacturing is a transformed segment.

"The industry is at a cusp of embracing the next generation of automation wherein robots will work alongside humans in a connected factory floor that is powered by AI, robotic and automation, machine learning, which are amplified by increasing use of big data and analytics in decision-making," added Palsikar.

Research and advisory firm IDC estimates that by 2020, two-thirds of all work in factories will be completed by collaborative robots while robotics will have five times the capability at one-fifth the cost of what was available in 2015.

--IANS

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