Exploring the Latest in Manufacturing Technology with ChatGPT
Exponential Industry's custom ChatGPT makes it easy to find the niche manufacturing technology trends you've been craving for (if you prompt her correctly).
Last week Exponential Industry unveiled ‘Henry Elon Rogo’ a custom ChatGPT trained to advise on manufacturing technology. This week, we will explore her capabilities with prompts engineered to surface new information captured in our weekly digests. You can review the full unedited conversation on ChatGPT by OpenAI.
OpenAI made us rename her, so we chose a generic name ‘Exponential Industry GPT.’
Starting Off The Conversation
We start our conversation using the pre-defined prompt, “What's the latest in manufacturing tech?”
The latest advancements in manufacturing technology are diverse and continuously evolving. Here are some key trends and innovations:
1. Advanced Automation and Robotics: The integration of robotics in manufacturing is advancing rapidly. This includes the use of collaborative robots (cobots) that work alongside humans, as well as more autonomous systems capable of complex tasks. These innovations are driven by improvements in machine learning, sensor technology, and AI, allowing for more adaptable and intelligent robotic systems.
2. Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing): This technology is moving beyond prototyping into full-scale production. Developments in materials, such as high-strength alloys and advanced polymers, along with improved precision and speed, are making 3D printing viable for a wider range of products.
3. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT): The IIoT is growing, with more connected devices and sensors being used in manufacturing environments. This leads to better data collection and analysis, enabling predictive maintenance, improved efficiency, and greater customization.
4. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: AI and ML are increasingly being applied for quality assurance, predictive maintenance, and supply chain optimization. These technologies help in analyzing large sets of data to identify patterns and predict potential issues before they arise.
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These advancements are reshaping the manufacturing landscape, leading to more efficient, flexible, and sustainable production methods.
Response Comments: These trends are directionally correct but not exactly innovative. Let’s see how to get the GPT to incorporate new and more relevant information.
Prompting the GPT to Search for New Information
Exponential Industry not only publishes a weekly digest, it archives thousands of high-quality articles, videos, and podcasts across the leading organizations, emerging topics, and vertical specific innovations. We can use these publicly searchable pages to inject new information into the GPT by specifying the website (currently https://www.doclrogers.com/) to crawl.
Prompt: Review Exponential Industry (https://www.doclrogers.com/) latest posts for additional trends and innovations. Are there any newly emerging technologies?
I did a quick search for more information and here's what I found.
ChatGPT fetches the Exponential Industry website from Bing and crawls it before generating its next response.
Based on the latest posts from Exponential Industry, several newly emerging technologies and trends in manufacturing technology are noteworthy:
1. AI and 3D Vision in Robotics: Advancements in AI and 3D vision are making robots more accessible and capable, especially in small-scale production and mass personalization [“].
2. 3D Planning and Metaverse: Integrating 3D planning data with control and sensor signals in the industrial metaverse is becoming a trend for monitoring and managing operations [“].
3. DevOps and IT/OT Convergence: The adoption of DevOps practices and integration of IT and OT are enhancing operational excellence in industrial automation [“].
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11. AI in Petrochemical Plants: AI is being used to operate petrochemical plants and predict quality tests in real-time [“].
12. Room Temperature Superconductivity: The discovery of room temperature superconducting material LK-99 is driving new advancements in manufacturing [“].
These trends demonstrate a significant shift towards more intelligent, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing practices, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI, digital twins, and advanced robotics.
Response Comments: The response does a great job of finding the latest posts feed and pulling and capturing the headlines and post excerpts to provide more detailed examples. It even cites its sources! However, it clearly does not have much ‘knowledge’ to distill the headlines into meaningful trends and discard headlines that aren’t related to manufacturing technology at all (looking at you LK-99).
Search for New Concepts
Often times a new technology buzzword pops up and you want to be able to determine what’s really happening with the technology. Is it being deployed anywhere? Is it providing real economic benefit or is it just a toy? You can try your favorite search engine and get bombarded with advertisements paid for by the highest bidder or you can ask the GPT to search Exponential Industry for you.
Prompt: Are there any mention of Connected Worker or Digital Work Instructions technologies on Exponential Industry (https://www.doclrogers.com/)?
Yes, Exponential Industry does mention Connected Worker and Digital Work Instructions technologies. Here are some examples:
1. Cobots and Augmented Reality for Electronics Assembly: LightGuide’s industrial augmented reality (AR) work instruction platform integrates with various digital manufacturing technologies and factory tools, including collaborative robots (cobots). This integration aims to streamline the assembly process of electrical components by combining the benefits of industrial automation and digital work instructions [“].
2. Remote Demonstrations in the Metaverse: Hitachi developed a metaverse-based system allowing skilled workers to conduct remote demonstrations using real-world factory equipment. This innovation targets industries where expertise is concentrated among aging workers, providing a virtual reality interface for instruction and demonstration [“].
3. AR and VR in Manufacturing: GridRaster’s XR equipment is used in manufacturing airplane wings, spacecraft parts, and automobile components. AR and VR technologies provide instructions and workflows overlaid on the assets being fixed, significantly reducing human errors and saving time [“].
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5. Smart Glasses for Remote Guidance: Crown Holdings equipped their employees with smart glasses to guide engineers remotely through implementing new technologies. This solution proved especially useful during the pandemic, facilitating real-time sharing of diagrams and instructions [“].
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7. AR in Robot Configuration: Imperial College London researchers developed a system using AR to assist users in configuring a flexible robotic arm. By wearing mixed reality smart glasses, users can see templates and designs superimposed onto their real-world environment for easier robot configuration [“].
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10. Virtual Plant Visits and Control Rooms: Companies like Akzo Nobel and Royal Dutch Shell are using AR for virtual plant visits and creating online control rooms with interactive 3D simulations. This approach allows for remote access and management of manufacturing operations [“].
These examples show how Connected Worker and Digital Work Instructions technologies are being integrated into various aspects of manufacturing, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and the ability to adapt to remote working environments.
Response Comments: Surprisingly the GPT did not find my dedicated topic pages on Connected Worker nor Digital Work Instructions but it did cite the related and more robust topic page on Augmented Reality. Many of the examples surfaced were relevant if I was indeed looking for a solution to augment my manufacturing workforce. The GPT does a decent job of capturing the benefit from using the technology in its response.
Diving Deeper on an Technology Area of Interest
Prompt: Tell me more about "DevOps and IT/OT Convergence". What specific technologies should I consider to drive software technologies into operational settings?
The convergence of IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) in the context of DevOps involves integrating software development, IT operations, and industrial operational processes. This approach aims to enhance automation, improve efficiency, and streamline workflows in manufacturing and industrial environments. To drive this convergence effectively, consider the following technologies:
1. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Devices: These devices collect and transmit data from the manufacturing floor, enabling real-time monitoring and control.
2. Edge Computing: It processes data closer to the source, reducing latency and improving response times in operational settings.
3. Cloud Platforms: Cloud solutions offer scalable storage and computing power, enabling advanced data analytics and integration of various IT and OT systems.
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By incorporating these technologies, organizations can effectively bridge the gap between IT and OT, leading to more agile, efficient, and data-driven operational environments.
Response Comments: Without telling it search Exponential Industry, the GPT responds with a generic and unhelpful listicle.
Asking for Vendors to Solicit
Exponential Industry aggregates a canvas of organizations leading manufacturing technology creation and adoption.
Let’s see if the GPT can assess it and relate the vendors back to the IT/OT Convergence trend.
Prompt: Are there leading vendors for these technologies suggested by the Exponential Industry Index (https://www.doclrogers.com/canvas)?
The Exponential Industry Index highlights several leading vendors in technologies related to DevOps and IT/OT convergence. These organizations include:
1. Amazon Web Services (AWS): A prominent cloud services provider, offering a wide range of cloud computing and storage solutions that can be crucial for IT/OT integration.
2. Autodesk: Known for its software for design, engineering, and construction, Autodesk's tools can be vital in bridging the gap between IT and OT.
3. Augury: Specializes in machine health solutions, which are integral to predictive maintenance in an IT/OT converged environment.
4. Google: Offers cloud computing services and machine learning tools that can enhance IT/OT convergence efforts.
5. Microsoft: Provides a range of cloud services, AI, and IoT solutions that are essential for integrating IT and OT systems.
6. NVIDIA: Known for its AI and deep learning technologies, which are pivotal in advanced manufacturing and IT/OT integration.
7. Siemens: A key player in automation and digitalization for industrial applications.
8. Sight Machine: Specializes in digital manufacturing solutions, offering analytics and insights for factory data.
9. Universal Robots: A leading manufacturer of collaborative robots (cobots) that are increasingly used in IT/OT convergence scenarios.
10. Walmart: While primarily a retail giant, Walmart's inclusion suggests advancements in their use of technology for operational efficiencies.
These vendors play a significant role in providing the technologies and solutions that drive the integration of software technologies into operational settings [“].
Response Comments: Looks like the GPT just pulled the companies from the side navigation (and skipped Tesla, ha!) and did not analyze the interactive widget. Overall the company descriptions are decent but it does not relate them to the IT/OT Convergence topic in any meaningful way. This can probably be improved with a better prompt, page layout, or document upload to the GPT.
Improving the Exponential Industry GPT
This post kicks off a month long series on making the most of ChatGPT and Exponential Industry. Over the next few weeks we will explore the power and limitations of ChatGPT when it comes to manufacturing and heavy industry. I will be collaborating with experts to assess how to make a GPT useful in your job as an engineer, roboticist, manager, strategist, and venture capitalist within the manufacturing ecosystem. All for free!
Continue the Exponential Industry GPT series…
