Tech Digest Q3 2024

AI and Gen AI on Full Display at Georgia Pacific’s Manufacturing Plants

Key Points:

• Digital Transformation Goals: Georgia Pacific aims to alleviate the effects of an aging workforce and reduce unplanned downtime through digital transformation.

• Technology Partnerships:

  • Sensors: Deployed over 60,000 KCG Technologies sensors across more than 25,000 pieces of equipment.
  • AWS Solutions: Utilizes AWS Kinesis, Simple Storage, and SageMaker for collecting and transmitting equipment data and creating ML models.
  • C3 AI Reliability: Detects signs of equipment/part failure using data such as vibration.
  • SAS Viya Gen AI Assistants: Provide answers based on operational data and assist in identifying required parts for specific tasks.

• Predictive Maintenance: Georgia Pacific focuses on predicting failures 60 to 90 days in advance to prevent issues like paper tearing.

• Operational Efficiency: ML models provide recommendations to optimize machine speed and settings, improving overall efficiency.

• User Transparency: The AI and Gen AI solutions must be transparent and explainable to ensure responsible decision-making, such as scheduling maintenance and managing inventory.

Samsara Addresses Driver Fatigue with AI

Key Points:

• Asset Tag: Prevents loss or theft of high-value assets.
• Connected Workflows: Enhances cross-department coordination using actionable insights like geofence data and vehicle crash detection.
• Video Safety: Introduces AI-based solutions to detect driver drowsiness:
  • Behavior Detection: Uses dual-facing AI dashcams to look for behaviors like closed eyes, yawning, facial contortions, eye rubbing, and blank stares.
  • Alert System: Alerts drivers and safety managers if such behaviors are detected.
• Fleet Industry: Samsara's AI-based video safety feature addresses a critical gap in fleet management and complements future V2X use cases.

Volkswagen Aims to Expand Software Capabilities Through a Joint Venture with Rivian

Key Points:

• Initial Investment: Volkswagen committed an initial $1 billion investment in Rivian, with up to $4 billion more expected.
• Strategic Partnership: The joint venture aims to enhance Volkswagen’s software capabilities and competitiveness in the SDV/EV market.
• Economies of Scale: Volkswagen’s extensive presence in the automotive supply chain will help Rivian achieve economies of scale.
• Component Security: The partnership secures vital components like semiconductors for Rivian.
• Competitive Edge: The collaboration allows Volkswagen to compete more effectively with established SDV automakers, leveraging Rivian’s EV platform and potential zonal architectures.

Thwarting GNSS/GPS Spoofing and Jamming with L5 Band-Only Solutions

Key Points:

• oneNav: The only company globally offering GNSS receiver technology that runs solely on the L5 band.
• L5-Only Solution: oneNav’s L5-direct™ GPS solution demonstrated resilience against jamming and spoofing in Haifa, Israel.
• Superior Security: Running GNSS exclusively on the L5 band provides better security compared to traditional L1-based solutions.
• Compatibility: L5-direct™ is compatible with multiple GNSS constellations (GPS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS).
• Advantages: Other solution providers may require an L1 signal first, making them more vulnerable to jamming and spoofing.

Summary

This quarter saw significant advancements in AI and Gen AI applications across various industries. Georgia Pacific leverages AI for predictive maintenance and operational efficiency, while Samsara enhances fleet management through AI-based safety features. Volkswagen’s joint venture with Rivian aims to bolster software capabilities and competitiveness in the EV market. Lastly, oneNav’s L5-band-only solutions offer superior security against GNSS spoofing and jamming, highlighting the growing importance of advanced technological solutions in maintaining operational integrity.