ABB, China Telecom unveil industrial IoT lab

  • June 21, 2023
  • William Payne

ABB and China Telecom have unveiled a joint digitalisation and industrial IoT laboratory in Hangzhou, China. The two companies plan to focus on developing end-to-end industrial IoT solutions for industrial companies based in China.

The laboratory is a collaboration between ABB Measurement & Analytics China Technology Centre and E Surfing IoT, China Telecom’s IoT subsidiary. The collaboration will explore extensive integration of process automation solutions and develop digital transformation tools for multiple industries in China.

The companies said the lab will support manufacturing industries with end-to-end industrial IoT solutions to support with real-time, data-driven decisions for safer and smarter operations.

As part of the collaboration, ABB and E Surfing IoT will explore avenues for technology integration and industrial application of new technologies as well as new directions for next-generation industrial IoT solutions. The two teams will focus on comprehensive digital solutions that incorporate ABB sensor technology, China Telecom’s 5G network, industrial IoT and connectivity technology, as well as cloud computing.

Recently, ABB collaborated with E Surfing IoT in the field of smart water networks. As part of the collaboration, Chinese water companies were able to increase the quality of data from their water networks and hence the operational efficiency by an average of more than 20 percent through implementing IoT solutions, achieving energy savings and cost reduction.

“ABB’s vision for the lab is to develop industrial IoT solutions that help Chinese industries with automation and digital technologies, maximising resource efficiency and contributing to a low-carbon future,” said Jacques Mulbert, Division President, ABB Measurement & Analytics. “The digital transformation that China is undergoing and the demand for advanced manufacturing technologies make me very confident about investing in China.”

“IoT technology can improve production efficiency and increase product quality,“ said Zhong Zhaozhong, Assistant President, Industrial Business, China Telecom. “The joint laboratory is important not only from the point of view of technology integration, but also because this is an innovation-sharing platform based on collaboration. This is an effective way to promote technological innovation in industrial settings.”

“It is very important to work alongside customers and partners to better serve the Chinese market,” said Susan Pan, Head of ABB Measurement & Analytics China. “We understand what the market needs, and we will continue to support China on its path to automation and digitalisation. Ultimately, this will help China reach its sustainability goals.”