November 27, 2012 at 20:16Industrial Internet can add $ 15 trillion to global GDP
Nowadays, the phrase “Internet of things” is heard - a network of wireless smart devices, so tiny and economical that they can be embedded in almost any object that surrounds us, making them more convenient and useful. The Industrial Internet is the same Internet of things, but not in everyday life, but in production - a network of sensors and intelligent systems that combines machines, aggregates, power plants, locomotives, airplanes - the industrial foundation of our civilization.
General Electric believes that we are on the verge of a new wave of innovation, which will be based on the combination of the achievements of the industrial and information revolutions. Until now, the Internet has primarily affected the consumer market, the financial sector and the service economy. All these smartphones, web services, applications and content entertained and surprised us, but did not have a significant impact on productivity growth (how can you not recall Ray Bradbury’s phrase that humanity has exchanged the ability to plow space for meaningless consumption!)
GE's Industrial Internet: pushing the boundaries of minds and machines report on the prospects for the industrial Internet gives hope that the entertaining, consumer-oriented nature of the Internet is just a childhood illness, and soon the global network will give a tangible boost to global industry. “The industrial revolution lasted more than 150 years, and some of the most important innovations came true closer to its completion. Even if you consider the beginning of the Internet revolution of the 1950s, it is too early to say that it will not be able to give a long-term economic effect, ”the authors of the report write.
According to forecasts by General Electric experts, the industrial Internet can already find application in economic sectors, which in total create 32.3 trillion dollars of world GDP. By 2025, that figure will be 82 trillion. The widespread introduction of the industrial Internet will be able to increase the world GDP by 10-15 trillion dollars in 20 years.
Take aviation, for example. Sensors installed in aircraft engines will transmit real-time data on engine operation, and analytical systems based on artificial intelligence algorithms will select the optimal mode - and such information from all aircraft will flock to a single system for subsequent analysis and improvement of algorithms. The movement of all aircraft, the operation of airports will also be optimized as a whole, and moreover, integration with other transport systems, with maritime, railway and city public transport is possible.
Saving just one percent of aviation fuel through these measures will save us $ 30 billion over 15 years. Similar results can be achieved in rail transportation, energy, manufacturing, and medicine.
General Electric itself expects to receive in those industries in which it operates, the economic effect of up to $ 150 billion from the introduction of the industrial Internet. Some projects are already running. So, the company First Wind, which is engaged in wind power plants, is actively experimenting with an increase in the number of sensors in windmills and the quality of processing the information received from them. Sensors on new turbines collect three to five times more useful information than several years ago. Upgrading 123 wind turbines at two power plants has already allowed an increase in electricity production by 3%.
Mount Sinai Medical Center is implementing a project to optimize the work of a 1100-bed hospital in New York. Patients receive plastic bracelets with location sensors and other sensors, beds and medical equipment are provided with similar devices. All data flows into a hospital computer network and is used to optimize the reception and placement of patients, download diagnostic and medical equipment. The management of the medical center expects that thanks to such an information system, the hospital will be able to serve 10,000 more patients a year.
The basis of these industrial projects are the same technologies and protocols, the same hardware and software that is used on the regular “consumer” Internet. Starting as a research project, the Internet then attracted hacker enthusiasts and, finally, a mass user, turning into a place for games, shopping and sharing photos of cats. Perhaps this is not the end of its evolution, but only a prelude to something more?
Full text of the report ( PDF ).
Source: New York Times .
General Electric believes that we are on the verge of a new wave of innovation, which will be based on the combination of the achievements of the industrial and information revolutions. Until now, the Internet has primarily affected the consumer market, the financial sector and the service economy. All these smartphones, web services, applications and content entertained and surprised us, but did not have a significant impact on productivity growth (how can you not recall Ray Bradbury’s phrase that humanity has exchanged the ability to plow space for meaningless consumption!)
GE's Industrial Internet: pushing the boundaries of minds and machines report on the prospects for the industrial Internet gives hope that the entertaining, consumer-oriented nature of the Internet is just a childhood illness, and soon the global network will give a tangible boost to global industry. “The industrial revolution lasted more than 150 years, and some of the most important innovations came true closer to its completion. Even if you consider the beginning of the Internet revolution of the 1950s, it is too early to say that it will not be able to give a long-term economic effect, ”the authors of the report write.
According to forecasts by General Electric experts, the industrial Internet can already find application in economic sectors, which in total create 32.3 trillion dollars of world GDP. By 2025, that figure will be 82 trillion. The widespread introduction of the industrial Internet will be able to increase the world GDP by 10-15 trillion dollars in 20 years.
Take aviation, for example. Sensors installed in aircraft engines will transmit real-time data on engine operation, and analytical systems based on artificial intelligence algorithms will select the optimal mode - and such information from all aircraft will flock to a single system for subsequent analysis and improvement of algorithms. The movement of all aircraft, the operation of airports will also be optimized as a whole, and moreover, integration with other transport systems, with maritime, railway and city public transport is possible.
Saving just one percent of aviation fuel through these measures will save us $ 30 billion over 15 years. Similar results can be achieved in rail transportation, energy, manufacturing, and medicine.
General Electric itself expects to receive in those industries in which it operates, the economic effect of up to $ 150 billion from the introduction of the industrial Internet. Some projects are already running. So, the company First Wind, which is engaged in wind power plants, is actively experimenting with an increase in the number of sensors in windmills and the quality of processing the information received from them. Sensors on new turbines collect three to five times more useful information than several years ago. Upgrading 123 wind turbines at two power plants has already allowed an increase in electricity production by 3%.
Mount Sinai Medical Center is implementing a project to optimize the work of a 1100-bed hospital in New York. Patients receive plastic bracelets with location sensors and other sensors, beds and medical equipment are provided with similar devices. All data flows into a hospital computer network and is used to optimize the reception and placement of patients, download diagnostic and medical equipment. The management of the medical center expects that thanks to such an information system, the hospital will be able to serve 10,000 more patients a year.
The basis of these industrial projects are the same technologies and protocols, the same hardware and software that is used on the regular “consumer” Internet. Starting as a research project, the Internet then attracted hacker enthusiasts and, finally, a mass user, turning into a place for games, shopping and sharing photos of cats. Perhaps this is not the end of its evolution, but only a prelude to something more?
Full text of the report ( PDF ).
Source: New York Times .