Honeywell & Google Cloud partner to drive AI-powered Industrial automation

Honeywell and Google Cloud have announced a collaboration to drive safer, autonomous operations within the industrial sector by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into critical processes. The partnership, unveiled on 21 October 2024, will combine Google Cloud’s Gemini AI platform with Honeywell Forge, an Internet of Things (IoT) platform, to deliver advanced insights across industrial operations.

This initiative aims to reduce maintenance costs, enhance operational efficiency, and improve workforce skills. The first solutions under this collaboration are expected to be available by 2025.

According to Vimal Kapur, Honeywell’s Chairman and CEO, “Combining Google Cloud’s AI technology with our Honeywell Forge platform will provide customers with actionable insights to accelerate autonomous operations.” He added that this collaboration aligns with Honeywell’s strategic growth goals, which focus on automation and efficiency in industrial operations.

Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, described the partnership as a significant step towards optimising industrial processes using AI. He highlighted how combining Google’s large language models with Honeywell’s industrial expertise can empower workforces and improve operational outcomes.

The collaboration also addresses the challenges faced by the industrial sector, including labour shortages caused by retiring baby boomers. Honeywell’s 2024 Industrial AI Insights report notes that although 82% of industrial companies are early adopters of AI, only 17% have fully launched their AI initiatives. The new AI agents developed through this partnership are expected to facilitate greater AI adoption across the industry.

Key areas of innovation include:

• Industrial AI Agents: Built on Google’s Vertex AI platform, these agents will assist engineers by automating tasks and accelerating project cycles. They will also help technicians resolve maintenance issues more efficiently, leveraging large language models and multimodal capabilities like images, videos, and sensor data.
• Enhanced Cybersecurity: Google’s Mandiant threat intelligence will be integrated into Honeywell’s cybersecurity products to improve threat detection for industrial customers.
• On-the-Edge Device Enhancements: Honeywell plans to explore using Google’s Gemini Nano model to improve the intelligence of its AI-enabled edge devices, helping industrial workers in areas such as maintenance and operational support.

By leveraging Google Cloud’s AI, Honeywell seeks to position itself at the forefront of industrial automation and productivity enhancements.