Apex Insights is an IoT/AI platform that enables real-time data processing and analysis. Developed by ERAS and Cumulocity, it combines cloud and edge computing with AI models. The platform provides tailored solutions for businesses from various industries to enable more efficient process control.
The challenge: Real-time data processing for quick decision-making
The fast processing of data in real-time is a crucial requirement for the use of industrial IoT in sectors such as manufacturing, mechanical engineering, energy, or healthcare. In many situations, speed is critical. Real-time data processing allows data to be analyzed and reacted to immediately.
To take advantage of real-time data processing, companies need an IoT platform to which all machines, plants and other devices are connected. It is the central system for real-time data processing. Developing such a platform requires specific expertise, such as that found in motorsport.
The Electric Racing Academy (ERA) by ERA Advanced, a manufacturer of electric racing vehicles from Belgium, is the world’s first all-electric junior formula racing series. The company represents a paradigm shift in motorsport and relies on the IoT networking of electric racing cars. The vehicles are equipped with state-of-the-art sensors. They store and analyze information in the cloud using the Cumulocity IoT platform. This gives all teams a detailed and up-to-date overview of the car’s condition and allows them to react quickly during the race.
The solution: IoT connectivity and cloud data analysis
The platform Apex Insights, developed by ERAS and Cumulocity, offers real-time telemetry analysis combined with powerful language learning models to enable a personalized and optimized learning experience. The multimodal platform allows seamless integration of various AI models, such as LLMs and Speech-to-Text, and the processing of audio and image data.
AI-powered real-time telemetry for motorsports
Thanks to its hybrid architecture of cloud and edge workloads, Apex Insights optimally distributes the computing load, utilizing both the strengths of the cloud and the speed of Intel-based edge computing. With precise event monitoring, Apex Insights can detect critical situations and respond with customized recommendations in natural language.
This feature uses the so-called AI Instructor as a virtual assistant, offering valuable support to the user in complex situations. The platform provides recommendations for optimizing vehicle performance, such as adjusting driving styles or providing advice on preventive maintenance.
A key feature of Apex Insights is the ability to customize the AI Instructor. Users can shape the personality and voice to their preferences to ensure natural and interactive communication. Integration with the ElevenLab Text-to-Speech API provides authentic and engaging audio feedback.
Scenarios for application across different industries
The platform’s capabilities can also be useful in other industries, providing valuable assistance directly to employees at their workplace – even more immediate and understandable via the voice interface than through dashboards and alerts. ERAS and Cumulocity have developed several scenarios for this purpose:
- Energy: The platform can analyze maintenance needs and energy efficiency data for wind and solar plants and recommend optimizations.
- Manufacturing: In manufacturing, the platform analyzes machine data, detects efficiency losses, predicts maintenance needs, and optimizes production processes.
- Finance: The platform analyzes market trends, detects fraud attempts, and supports investment decisions.
- Building management: By monitoring building data, the platform analyzes heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, detecting faults or maintenance needs.
- Healthcare: In the medical field, such a platform helps monitor vital signs of patients in intensive care units.
- Logistics: In the logistics sector, the platform helps optimize routes, supply chains, and transport processes. It can also be used to monitor sensitive goods such as food or medicine.
- Mechanical engineering: In mechanical engineering, real-time data processing enables predictive maintenance to address potential problems early.
The result: Cross-industry benefits
The platform’s biggest advantage is its ability to meet industry-specific requirements while being a universal solution for real-time data analysis. Companies in industries like mechanical engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, or finance can integrate the platform into their systems and benefit from the fast processing of large amounts of data.
ERAS successfully presented Apex Insights at SPS (Smart Production Solutions) 2024. An interactive demo using a cut-open car simulator demonstrated the platform’s capabilities to trade fair visitors, helping ERAS appeal to potential customers from different industries and showcase the benefits of the AI platform.
