With driverless cars, drones delivering groceries and robots taking over mundane, repetitive and some hazardous tasks even at some of our project sites, there is no denying that the world around us is reimagining itself at the rate of knots. Norms are changing, goal posts are moving, with technology playing a critical role both in our professional and personal lives. We are living in an AI-disrupted world in which technology is not just a buzzword, but an active area of innovation and therefore to stay relevant and competitive, it is imperative for us to be technologically oriented, always ‘thinking’ technology.
From an organizational perspective, we are keen to pivot from a large engineering and construction behemoth to a smarter, nimbler, more agile, tech-led organization, for which a technology-oriented mindset is critical.
The Tech Council to lead the way
Appreciating that technology has the potential to transform the way we do business, enhance human capabilities, and contribute to societal progress in numerous ways, we have taken a decisive first step to form the Tech Council, at the Group level. It has been mandated to identify business cases for the use and implementation of AI & Digital applications, to identify and implement cases for efficiency improvement & innovation, share best practices within businesses and serve as a common platform to initiate necessary action. The Council’s primary focus is to leverage technology for our competitive advantage and operational excellence.
While the Council will create and evolve the blueprint, translating ideas into action for our collective benefit rests with each one of us. Every business, every function, every department presents opportunities to introduce tech solutions to continue delivering at speed and scale. AI is certainly the new growth driver, and currently we have more than 400 AI algorithms under development, with 40+ already deployed internally and externally, covering applications in engineering, operations, and client-facing services, underscoring our ambition to embed AI deeply into our businesses.
Action on ground
The recently conducted L&T Robotics Innovation Day gave context and direction to our quest for AI-driven intelligent Robotic solutions to enhance safety, quality, productivity, agility and efficiency and give our technology transformation a new thrust to position as a global leader in executing technology-led infrastructure projects.
We envisage huge benefits by deploying AI-driven Robotics across our businesses: 25– 40% boost to productivity and long-term OPEX savings, 50% time saving, 50% more precision, 90% increase in worker safety, consistent quality and reduced wastage. It can additionally speed up execution, improve safety & quality and help to deliver our mega projects to timelines, thereby positively impacting our profitability.
It is encouraging that businesses like B&F, M&M and PT&D have taken first steps in adopting AI-driven solutions, but the pace of adoption must increase exponentially. We have a first mover advantage over competition; we need to make it count. The specially constituted Robotics Task Force will lead the drive and have already identified 10+deployment-ready Robotics solutions till date. While opportunities to adopt exist across various tasks include tile-laying, wall plastering, painting & coating, autonomous rebar tying, material movement, exoskeletons, autonomous inspections, and more, it will pay rich dividends for us to focus our efforts on a few select areas, go for the low-hanging fruit, rather than spreading our time, efforts and resources thin over multiple areas. Concentrated efforts will yield us significant benefits.
This issue of ECC Concord based on the theme of Acing speed & scale with technology showcases several capital tech-led initiatives taken and sustained by various projects across our businesses to improve delivery and operational excellence. Kudos to all the IC and site leaders for giving tech adoption its rightful due. However, to enjoy the full impact of such adoptions, it is essential for every Project Leader to place tech adoption at the top of their priority lists. Rest assured, that the senior leadership is totally committed to this transformation.
Time is short, opportunities are many so let’s start running.
We have a lot to achieve.
All the best!
S N Subrahmanyan
Chairman & Managing Director, L&T