IoT technologies are one of the latest technological innovations. The rapid development of digital technologies has led to changes in many different industries. The Internet of Things has affected the textile industry, IT industry, retail, personal communication, how we spend time at home, and much more.
However, we haven’t yet seen the full potential of IoT in all industries. Digital solutions have a broad scope of application in many other sectors, and combining IoT with other technologies can help improve results in different processes.
Innovative organizations can make great use of these solutions and create limitless combinations. Technology has always been a driving factor for business growth, and today we’re going to talk about its effects on the use of heavy equipment.
Heavy equipment defined
Before we get to the actual advantages of combining these technologies, let’s define what heavy equipment is. Heavy equipment includes different heavy vehicles, large engineering equipment, and industrial machinery used in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, etc.
Here are some of the desired characteristics of heavy equipment:
- Operational efficiency
- Reliability
- High level of safety
- Large dimensions
These kinds of machines operate in many industries. Some typical examples are cranes, bulldozers, construction air compressors, etc. This machinery improves efficiency, protects employees, prevents errors, and boosts revenue.
Better maintenance and operational performance
Industries rely more than ever on heavy equipment to meet the current market demands. However, this also comes with additional costs and a need for better management. Equipment breaks down and gets damaged due to constant exposure to wear and tear.
IoT sensors and other solutions can be installed on different machines to track essential parameters such as current location, energy consumption, temperature, status, etc. Companies can predict potential damages and prevent them on time with this information.
At the same time, managers can instantly recognize broken machines and repair them to boost performance. For example, it’s possible to recognize the need for new compressor parts and repair services by just looking at a screen cutting down the examination and repair process.
Heavy machinery and connectivity
Wireless technology is a part of IoT that can impact the use of heavy equipment the most. The equipment can be connected similarly to how workers connect using laptops, tablets, and phones to communicate.
Large machinery communicates with similar devices using cloud technology to store and share data. Employees will also access critical information and services to help them with their work.
The construction industry uses telematics solutions to monitor the operations of their machines. In general, this involves using cellular modems that provide online access at all times. However, these new technologies make things even more reliable and cheaper using mobile device tethering.
Asset monitoring using the Internet of Things
Both employees and equipment need to be protected against accidents, damages, injuries, thefts, and unpredicted situations. These things are common challenges in manufacturing, agriculture, and construction.
Internet of Things provides integrated solutions for replacing legacy systems and automating different manual processes. Connected devices can communicate with IoT devices making it easier to detect and deal with these problems.
MAnagers can now understand the status of a machine in real-time, make better decisions, organize workflows, and improve reliability. Computerized machinery allows better analytics, automation, and connectivity leading to increased productivity.
IoT and safety
Many industries like construction, shipping, and manufacturing use warehouses for their operations. All the goods stored in warehouses are moved by heavy machinery. Managing and operating these machines is essential for reducing accidents.
These machines use automation and robotic equipment during operations. Machines need to be safe for their surroundings, including goods and employees. IoT innovations like 360-degree detection can be mounted onto machines to view their surroundings better.
When these machines notice obstacles or people in their way, they can be programmed to stop their movements requiring manual clearance or sound warnings to everyone around them. On the other hand, employees also wear devices that allow robots and other automated machinery to recognize them and avoid accidents.
Conclusion
Automation is the future of all industries. Even though we are already using many independent systems that operate independently, their integration isn’t flawless. We need time to recognize the weaknesses of these technologies and optimize their workflows to boost efficiency and safety.
IoT technologies are a great place to start this journey. They can help with maintenance, safety, and efficiency, but they can give vital information to companies for future growth and development.
