As the journey towards a fully autonomous world continues, new technologies must begin to understand humans more as they integrate themselves into daily life.

The number of digital-powered and connected technologies that have become a routine part of peoples’ day-to-day life is growing. People are increasingly adopting autonomous systems that predict situations and events, and prescribe measures to manage or prevent them. The autonomous world promises to help solve problems that were previously beyond human capabilities, and in a timeframe that was not perceivable.

Some businesses have already been transformed by mapping their existing or planned physical assets and systems to a digital platform. That platform then produces a virtual simulation of actions before they take place in reality. This creates what some call a “digital mirror”.

Consumers are becoming accustomed to these kinds of automation processes, promising not only more convenience, but prolonged product life cycles, optimized use of resources and waste reduction. Using sensor data and analytics, algorithms predict behaviors or events and make decisions autonomously.

The next step in bringing the autonomous world closer is testing and evaluating different decisions by combining real time data with predictive data. With this kind of prescriptive analytics, the map of tomorrow won’t only be a “digital mirror” of the physical world, but a living digital  twin. New simulation models can be parameterized to produce new insights, sensitive and responsive to stimuli everywhere.

These systems ask their operators and owners for the responsibility to call for solutions that go beyond efficiency and optimization, and begin to truly understand human aspirations.

Using sensor data and analytics, algorithms predict behaviors or events and take decisions autonomously.

For example: routine tasks such as laundry and general maintenance can be handled by machines that can handle multiple tasks without the need for human intervention. Or, when human intervention is necessary, these machines can alrt before an issue becomes a real problem.

Panasonic Sustainable maintainer (Concept)

This intelligent laundry system automatically identifies material type and chooses the optimum washing cycle for the dirt level. Not only does it wash and dry, it can also fold and put clean clothes into embedded storage.

Auto-measuring with Amazon Dash integration

Modern washing machines and dishwashers are utilizing smart technology to make sure they never run out of detergent. Combined with auto-measuring capabilities, companies like Beko, Miele, Bosch and Siemens have Amazon Dash which automatically re-orders detergent when stocks are running low.

Hitachi Predictive Maintenance

In industries like transportation, the impending failure of sensitive and expensive in-service equipment can be detected and maintenance scheduled in advance.