Yokogawa and Shell Collaborate on AI and Robotics for Plant Maintenance

Yokogawa and Shell have entered a strategic partnership to develop and implement cutting-edge robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) technology for plant maintenance operations. This collaboration aims to automate routine inspection tasks, enhance operational safety, and boost productivity.

Yokogawa and Shell’s Joint Effort

Central to this initiative is Shell’s ORE system—a digital tool that leverages machine vision and AI to enable robots to perform routine inspections. Tasks such as reading gauges, detecting leaks, and identifying equipment issues can now be carried out more efficiently and accurately. The ORE system is the result of a two-year development effort within Shell, combining expertise in remote inspection, corrosion management, and plant integrity.

Integration with OpreX Robot Management Core

Yokogawa will integrate Shell’s ORE system into its own robotics platform, OpreX Robot Management Core. This platform coordinates the operation of various robotic systems for plant tasks traditionally performed by humans. When connected to plant control systems, the software allows robots to receive and execute instructions, paving the way for more autonomous facility operations. The integration of ORE will expand the range of tasks that robots can perform within this system.

Pilot Deployments and Future Plans

Pilot deployments of these technologies are planned at two Shell facilities, where robots and drones will be tested for their ability to support safer and more efficient inspection routines. This project marks a significant step in Yokogawa’s involvement at Shell’s Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam, a collaborative research hub launched in 2022 to develop new energy solutions. Both companies have agreed to work together on further research and development to improve the underlying machine vision technology and expand its applications.

Benefits and Impact

Yokogawa’s leadership emphasizes that these developments aim to help industrial sites address labor challenges and enhance operational safety by automating routine inspections. Shell representatives highlight the long-standing relationship between the two companies and note that this latest agreement pushes their collaboration into new territory, with robotics and AI opening the door to significant gains in productivity and safety.

Yokogawa’s Global Impact

Yokogawa serves multiple industries, including energy, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, with technology solutions for monitoring, control, and optimization. With a global workforce of more than 17,000 and operations in over 60 countries, the company continues to support the shift toward more efficient and sustainable industrial operations.

This partnership between Yokogawa and Shell represents a major step forward in the application of AI and robotics for industrial plant maintenance, setting a new standard for safety and efficiency in the industry.