How Honeywell uses Google AI products

Industrial companies play a crucial role in our daily lives, be it the aircraft we fly, the medical devices we use, or the sensors that control the air conditioning in our offices. But the industrial sector is facing a talent shortage and skills gap that could soon create massive challenges for companies and economies around the world.

With an entire generation of workers retiring and – in many cases – no one behind them, industrial companies are under enormous pressure. They wonder how they can maintain the same level of expertise with their current talent and look for the best tools to get the job done and pass knowledge between generations. This is essential to keeping industrial systems (and the world at large) running every day.

Enter Honeywell. The long-time industry partner and technology leader for the industrial sector is working with Google Cloud to help solve the skills and labor shortage. With Vertex AI, Honeywell helps industrial facilities work harder, people work smarter, and processes run more efficiently. As Suresh Venkatarayalu, CTO of Honeywell and President of Honeywell Connected Enterprise, puts it: “We are moving from automation to autonomy. Our goal is to equip companies with AI agents that support workers in real time – on the factory floor and in the field. By running AI in both the cloud and at the edge, we make systems work smarter and more efficiently.”

Industrial AI agents that act like “coaches” in the workplace

Honeywell has been collecting industry data for years through Honeywell Forge, a digital platform that relies on designs, manuals, and real-world performance of Honeywell's global install base (e.g., how products performed in different environments, where problems occurred, etc.) . how to solve them). Now Honeywell is using Vertex AI and Google's large language models (LLMs) to develop AI agents like workplace “coaches” that make this trove of data more accessible and understandable.

These AI-powered tools will also help automate tasks for engineers, warehouse workers and technicians for Honeywell and its customers. For example, AI agents can troubleshoot devices, suggest design improvements, and provide insights into preventative maintenance, such as: E.g. “How did this device work last night?” or “Why is my system making this noise?”

Edge AI tools to help devices monitor and process data

Honeywell's devices are used in a variety of environments around the world – from data centers to hospitals to refineries and warehouses. Internet access can often be a challenge, especially in remote locations. To solve this problem, Honeywell is studying how to use Gemini Nano to deliver AI services at the edge of the network – directly on devices such as scanners, sensors and controllers – so that they can work autonomously even when they are not connected to the Internet are.

Gemini's multimodal capabilities enable understanding of text, code, images, video and audio, enabling Honeywell devices to process various types of data, from scanning to voice-based guided workflows.

With Google's AI-powered agents, Honeywell is helping close the skills gap and secure the future of the industrial sector. The first solutions built with Google Cloud AI will be available to Honeywell customers in 2025. For more information and future updates, please visit our website.