Microsoft Bonsai
Autonomous Systems
Harness the power of AI automation and simulation to drive process efficiency
We are a pioneering Azure Bonsai partner, being one of first to become a Microsoft-certified developer in this technology. Microsoft Bonsai is a low-code artificial intelligence development platform that, when combined with our teams of data scientists, business insight and the innovative ways of working in our Global Innovation and Technology Centre, creates a unique approach to transforming the way you work. Using simulations, Project Bonsai is a complete tool chain for enterprises to continuously optimise a wide range of processes and, industrial control systems, augmenting the skills of expert handlers.
An autonomous system optimises your equipment and processes using AI-powered automation that senses changing inputs and quickly responds. These systems accelerate the pace at which expert knowledge is fed into the AI, and practice to perfect the strategy in a simulated environment. Within simulations, the autonomous system prepares for likely and unlikely scenarios and identifies different solutions to achieve optimisation goals.
At its core, the autonomous system functions to either work with an operator or to perform the task independently. By adding a layer of active education and operator oversight, an autonomous system performs beyond automation to become a scalable, intelligent system that learns to optimise even in the most complex scenarios.
Why PA recommends leveraging autonomous AI
Efficient processing of multiple variables
Humans can only consider so many variables. No matter how complex or simple the system, it is impossible for one person to consider every essential factor. Autonomous systems can advise on or execute actions that process large multiplications of variables in a fraction of time and do so in a more efficient and effective manner.
Scarcity of expertise
Expertise takes time. As more factory workers retire, with them goes decades of operational wisdom. Likewise, inexperience leads to high levels of variation in final decision-making process. Expert-trained autonomous systems can help support new employees as they develop the necessary expertise to thrive.
Time-constrained decisions
Many manufacturing optimisation opportunities are short but frequent. These time-sensitive demands are difficult for human operators to observe, manage, and prioritise. Autonomous systems can perceive and execute on these instances in real time, having quick impact on transforming how your end consumers perceive your product.
Industry examples where Microsoft Bonsai thrives
Manufacturing
Autonomous AI presents manufacturers with an opportunity to increase productivity and quality by enhancing and simplifying the decision making of system experts. Managing multiple success parameters on a production line is intensive and leaves a margin for defect products. By teaching a Bonsai brain to assist experts you enable all controls to be dynamically monitored in real time. In output, this reduces defect margin, increases yield, and eases logistical struggle.
A live case study we’ve curated is the construction of a multi-layer biscuit where Bonsai can produce a near perfect results in alignment and structure for superior product quality.
Climate systems
AI to reduce facilities and operations costs helping companies reduce energy and improve profitability. Autonomous systems provide facility managers and engineers with a scalable, always-on solution for reducing energy consumption by optimizing system performance without sacrificing working conditions.
Health & chemical processing
AI can help enable changeover of lab stations and changes in batch production to reduce down-time in either plant performance or factory procedure. This focuses on reducing the need for intense logistical planning by dynamically predicting common future processes and reducing avoidable delay.
An alternate case study for the same application area we’ve worked on is ‘golden batch’ production where in small scale operations can be ramped up with pace unachievable by human curation based off a brain that has been taught production bounds and can adapt per batch to ensure high up-time.
Water processing
Low volume multi-variable optimisation scenarios with a range of input variation is where Autonomous AI shines. Bonsai can be taught to adapt to differing water quality inputs and determine the best changes in operating process to ensure that the resulting water output is consistent and of high quality.
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