Rockwell Automation found a majority of manufacturers in the life sciences sector are employing smart production technologies as part of digital transformations, but most struggle to derive meaningful insights from the data collected.

Research involving 104 executives and managers at life sciences businesses found 58% of companies are already using smart manufacturing technologies to some degree in their operations.

Rockwell Automation indicated the potential for growth is high, with 90% recognising the importance of digital transformation.

But it noted businesses are keen to ensure there are tangible outcomes to technology investments. Most believe AI and machine learning will deliver the greatest benefits, with 46% selecting the option.

The research showed a disconnect between the pace of AI adoption and the readiness of the data available.

Rockwell Automation found 32% believe they are generating meaningful insights from more than half the data collected, indicating significant room for improvement at a time when many companies stated they already use AI or plan to do so within the next 12 months.

Digitalisation moves are also being fuelled by a growing number of cyberattacks. Rockwell Automation found 54% of life sciences companies had been targeted in the past year due, in part, to remote access and connected equipment vulnerabilities.

Matt Weaver, VP of global industry, life sciences, said figures showing companies are willing to invest in smart technologies to improve quality, digitise operations and lower risk show the sector has moved on from the days when regulatory compliance was “something they ramped” for.

“The companies connecting their data, securing systems and validating AI deployments today are the ones that will be ready for what comes next from regulators or from the market.”

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Nokia and satellite sector specialist ICEYE inked a deal to develop sovereign low Earth orbit (LEO)-based communications systems for government use cases including defence, border security and disaster response.

The Finnish pair aim to launch the first communications satellites for the project in 2028, noting the planned systems would give nations ownership and control of the satellites, ground infrastructure and terminals.

In a joint statement, they explained they intend to deliver “targeted, high-throughput, low-latency connectivity over priority mission areas” to complement existing military and commercial networks rather than replace them.

Their birds are expected to add reach, resilience and capacity for critical connections.

The pact draws on ICEYE’s expertise in delivering sovereign satellite projects in Europe, and Nokia’s experience in networks and defence.

They plan to “integrate satellites, ground infrastructure and ruggedised end-user terminals” to extend ICEYE’s so-called sovereign intelligence from space business model to satellite communications.

The satellite company has customers in defence, environmental monitoring, insurance and emergency management, among others, operating what it describes as the world’s largest and most advanced synthetic aperture radar satellite constellation.

It provides data services and whole sovereign satellite projects.

Complementary
ICEYE CEO and co-founder Rafal Modrzewski said “nations must be able to fully own and control their communications, without dependency on a foreign commercial operator’s terms of service”.

“We delivered Poland its own radar satellite system in under a year. Partnering with Nokia lets us move at a similar speed for satellite communications, on the timelines nations need.”

Nokia president and CEO Justin Hotard added “sovereign operations depend on the ability to sense, decide and act in real time. Physical AI makes that possible, but only with secure, resilient connectivity across land, sea, air and space”.

He added the joint project would complement terrestrial networks “giving nations the situational awareness, connectivity and control they need to operate with confidence in contested environments across all domains”.

The move is the latest from European companies targeting increasing demand for sovereign technology systems from commercial and public sector organisations.

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Construction and heavy machinery manufacturer Komatsu launched a telematics system for its kit in Saudi Arabia using technology from NTT Docomo Business and STC Group.

In a statement on the project, NTT explained the manufacturer is expanding its Komtrax telematics and remote monitoring system to the country using the equipment and expertise of the two telecoms partners.

The system captures operational data from construction machinery with the aim of providing greater visibility of equipment usage and improving operational efficiency.

It offers the means for remote monitoring, data analytics and predictive maintenance, and is already available in a number of Komatsu’s markets.

Komtrax is promoted by the Japanese-headquartered manufacturer as delivering cost savings to clients while helping achieve peak machine performance.

To support the launch in Saudi Arabia, NTT supplied platform design and delivery, helping “Komatsu address country-specific telecommunications requirements while minimising the need for changes to its connectivity model”.

STC provided network services, and a SIM and connectivity management platform offering “reliable and scalable connectivity for Komatsu’s construction equipment” while meeting local regulations.

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