The industrial sector is frequently an overlooked area in the expansion of cloud computing. This is often due to the presence of older machinery or specialized systems within these facilities that aren’t easily compatible with cloud environments. Amazon is working to address this gap, and at AWS re:Invent, the company unveiled a range of new services specifically designed to help industrial organizations gain a more comprehensive understanding of their equipment and operational environments.

First, Amazon introduced Amazon Monitron, a system created to track the condition of equipment and alert engineering teams to potential breakdowns. By predicting equipment failures, industrial businesses can schedule repairs proactively, avoiding unexpected downtime and associated disruptions.

According to AWS CEO Andy Jassy, skilled engineers can often anticipate equipment failure based on subtle changes in sound or vibration. However, if the equipment itself could provide advance warning, it would significantly benefit these teams.

“…many companies lack sensors, or the sensors they have aren’t advanced enough, or they struggle with consistent data collection and transmission to the cloud. They also often lack the expertise to develop machine learning models. Our manufacturing clients have asked us to provide a complete solution, so I’m pleased to announce the launch of Amazon Monotron, an end-to-end solution for equipment monitoring,” Jassy explained.

The system functions by establishing a machine learning model that defines normal operating conditions. This model then identifies deviations from the norm and relays information about equipment requiring maintenance to a team via a mobile application, based on the data it analyzes.

Amazon also offers solutions for companies with more contemporary systems that may not require the full scope of Monotron’s capabilities. For organizations already utilizing modern sensors, Amazon can ingest the data and apply its machine learning algorithms to detect anomalies, mirroring the functionality of Monotron.

“Therefore, we’re also announcing today the launch of Amazon Lookout for Equipment, which provides anomaly detection specifically for industrial machinery,” he stated.

Furthermore, the company revealed the Panorama Appliance for businesses employing cameras at the edge who desire more advanced computer vision capabilities, but may not have the latest hardware. “I’m excited to announce the launch of the AWS Panorama Appliance, a new hardware appliance that enables organizations to integrate computer vision into their existing on-premises smart cameras,” Jassy announced at AWS re:Invent.

Additionally, a Panorama SDK was announced to assist hardware manufacturers in developing more intelligent cameras leveraging the Panorama platform.

These services collectively aim to provide industrial companies with access to cutting-edge cloud and machine learning technologies, tailored to their specific needs and level of technological advancement.