A previous ISA article in 2023 considered how the future automation workforce is being shaped by an Industry 4.0 revolution. This revolution has highlighted three distinct new automation-related careers that are responding to technology maturity and market demand:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Engineer: Developing algorithms and models to enable smart automation, such as predictive maintenance and intelligent process automation.
- Autonomous Systems Engineer: Developing self-driving cars, drones and other autonomous technologies that require automation for navigation, decision-making and control.
- Smart Home and IoT Automation Specialist: Designing and integrating smart systems for homes and buildings, involving sensing, decision-making and voice-control.
AI and ML Engineer
Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are two terms often used interchangeably, although ML is in fact a form of AI. A form of ML called supervised ML involves training software using specific data sets. Given sufficient data, the software can then identify new data sets. One application for this approach is to analyze imagery to identify potential defects, such as corrosion.
Insights from corrosion analysis of LiDAR scan data (Source: Abyss)
Developing solutions using AI and ML requires a strong set of technical skills encompassing industrial environments, mathematics, physics and data analytics, very much in line with the skill set of a typical automation professional who must understand physical processes as well as technology and its application.
Autonomous Systems Engineer
Autonomous systems are becoming more feasible with advances in technology, particularly AI. Waymo (previously Google’s Self-Driving Car initiative) now has a robotaxi service in several US cities, most recently adding Los Angeles to the list. Waymo claims it provides more than 150,000 driverless trips weekly.
In the industrial environment, companies are developing other types of autonomous vehicles for specific business needs. For example, Leica offers an autonomous scanning drone that “intelligently incorporates the environment around it into its flight plans. It keeps the correct distance for ideal scanning and formulates optimized flight routes for return to home” as it captures three-dimensional imagery used in other applications (including the AI and ML engineering use case discussed earlier).
Leica autonomous flying laser scanning drone (Source: Leica)
Robots are becoming more and more common and are finding applications in industrial environments. Boston Dynamics’ Spot can support regular and thermal imaging cameras, laser scanners and gas detectors.
Boston Dynamics' Spot quadrupedal robot on bp’s Mad Dog offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico (Source: Offshore)
Autonomous operation is an extremely complex control engineering challenge involving advanced control algorithms and the use of a variety of sensing and actuation options. Beyond the algorithm development, engineers are required to productionize devices, as well as develop, test and maintain the underlying ecosystem.
Smart Home and IoT Automation Specialist
The global smart home automation market is currently valued at 100 billion USD and is growing significantly with estimates up to 633 billion USD by 2032. Furthermore, “[t]he integration of AI with digital assistance allows for a more convenient and user-friendly experience, which greatly influences buyers' preferences.”
Smart home automation (Source: Nitido)
The smart home automation market is driven by demand for smart meters, thermostats, bulbs and other devices that all operate over wireless networks and interact with the physical world, in the same way as conventional instrumentation and control devices that automation professionals are experienced with. Securing these home automation networks is another area that needs specialist skills that automation professionals can offer, given their experience in securing industrial automation and control systems.
Moving Forward
ISA continues to maintain its position as the home of automation. As the principal contributor to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Automation Competency Model (ACM), ISA helps identify the skills and knowledge required for the modern automation professional. ISA’s training portfolio is continuously updated to ensure that high-quality content, defined by subject-matter experts, is available to support the needs of automation professionals and their employers. Members have access to a wealth of knowledge, made even more accessible using MimoSM, ISA’s AI-based search agent.
