A glimpse into the future: WILOC experts talk about the technology trends of 2024

In the fast-paced field of technological innovation, 2024 looks set to be a frontier for revolutionary breakthroughs, especially in sectors that rely on cutting-edge solutions. Within this scenario, WILOC, world leader in the implementation of cutting-edge solutions for the digitisation of processes in different industrial sectors, is at the forefront of innovation in areas such as IoT, worker and asset monitoring, workspace security and the management of large amounts of information, paving the way for transformative changes in various sectors.

In order to learn more about WILOC's vision, Javier Benjumea, CEO of WILOC Technologies, outlines the trends that will define both the trajectory of the company and the industry in the coming year.

The growing adoption of IoT devices is a transformative force capable of improving business efficiency and productivity at various operational stages. Data obtained during the installation, deployment, construction, operation and production phases has become an integral part of informed business decision-making. In this sense, WILOC points to the consolidation of hybrid devices, which integrate artificial intelligence (AI) with IoT through Edge Computing (Edge AIoT), as a disruptive element that will enable greater accuracy in the location of personnel and assets, with greater efficiency in their energy consumption and greater capacity for real-time communication.

In addition, the integration of cutting-edge technologies and protocols such as DECT NR+ and My IoT will help to consolidate this approach to providing end-to-end solutions in 2024, especially in low power wide area network (LPWAN) environments.

Hazard identification, risk assessment, accident investigation and emergency preparedness will be the top priorities in the area of worker health and safety. WILOC believes that hybrid devices, combining indoor and outdoor wireless technologies of different ranges, from RFID and UWB to Bluetooth Low Energy, LoRaWAN and GPS, will be crucial in this area.

As in other sectors, the integration of AI with IoT through edge computing will make it more feasible to achieve safety objectives by enabling hybrid devices to provide real-time information and other adaptive functionalities, which will have an impact on better monitoring of workers and therefore their protection in complex environments such as refineries or civil engineering plants.

Moreover, the incorporation of advanced technologies such as DECT NR+ and My IoT will also foster a commitment to improving low power wide area network (LPWAN) environments, ensuring that these solutions remain fully operational regardless of communication networks or working conditions. In this regard, WILOC's vision is focused on delivering not only smaller, lighter and smarter devices, but also a smart and versatile platform tailored to the unique needs of its customers and the diverse scenarios they face, providing them with greater simplicity and speed in deploying solutions through a greatly simplified infrastructure.

The incorporation of smart wearables designed to measure crucial biometric parameters such as heart rate, temperature and heat stress, and which are capable of providing a holistic view of workers' well-being, will become increasingly popular for their effectiveness and utility in everyday life. Complementing this, smart helmets with integrated IoT capabilities redefine personal protective equipment (PPE), incorporating AI-based CCTV capabilities for real-time monitoring, facial recognition, puddle and slippery area detection, as well as barometric readings.

WILOC envisions the technology integrating seamlessly with worker safety, fostering an environment that is not only efficient and productive, but also prioritizes staff wellbeing, thanks to the detection of gasses, unfavorable environmental conditions or the presence of smoke or fire. In addition, the incorporation of AI and ML (Machine Learning) capabilities through self-learning mechanisms in Edge Computing, gives wearables faster communication with the platform and also enables personalized and targeted risk detection according to the specific needs of the employee and the company, and always taking into account the history of each worker and their unique biological characteristics.

The early detection of potential occupational hazards will expand exponentially by 2024. Especially thanks to the use of smart cameras in industrial environments which, thanks to the integration of AI, will make it possible to go beyond routine monitoring, detecting possible failures in the use of protective equipment or possible occurrences of fires or gas leaks. This will have an obvious impact on emergency response times, but also on risk analysis and the assessment of harmful work habits that can be corrected through personalized training.

In the medium term, the use of generative AI will become increasingly important, for example, in the implementation of specialized bot services for each area. Thanks to machine learning and predictive analytics, it will be possible to anticipate industry needs in a variety of ways, from predicting future trends and outcomes based on data already present, to detecting future patterns and scenarios to anticipate problems that do not yet exist and identify emerging opportunities, to predicting potential machine failures. All this, to enable companies to strategically plan their future.

In a context where management platforms will gain complexity and functionalities, it will be extremely important to ensure a satisfactory user experience (UX) that contributes to meeting the needs of these users in the field. The integration of advanced linguistic models (LLM) from AI into these platforms through IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) will be a new step forward, which can lead to 'Prompt Generated Reports' (Prompt Generated Reports) through the use of natural language processing and understanding. This, in turn, will speed up and streamline user queries on management platforms, and will enable the evolution of bots, which will adapt better and faster to unique cases, i.e. to the needs of each user.

Finally, WILOC also points to the evolution of devices, especially in their application in HSE. New two-way modalities with voice capabilities and increased efficiency, especially in terms of energy consumption and battery life, will mark 2024 in this regard.

In a context where industry is in a constant process of innovation, companies must find tools that allow them to remain competitive, offering quality services at the lowest possible cost and as quickly as possible. This is where IIoT technology will become more important. By harnessing the capabilities of smart devices and real-time analytics, IIoT will be able to streamline and automate data processing, enabling informed decisions to be made instantly, which in turn will impact process efficiency, reduce operating costs and increase revenue.

In this regard, WILOC indicates that solutions are moving towards inventory tracking devices and wireless tracking tags, which will make it easier for companies to obtain 100% asset traceability with information accessible in real time. On the other hand, intelligent management, where the incorporation of ML technology will play a key role, will enable the prediction of potential risks and breakdowns, enabling preventive maintenance to save costs and avoid downtime. Finally, the complete connectivity of workplaces is also moving towards real-time and historical tracking of workers, which will facilitate the creation of working hour reports and leave management, ultimately providing a 360º view of the company.