In it attempts to speed up its digital transformation; from machine learning to computer vision, deep learning to virtual assistants in lubricants business, Shell was quick to put AI to use says Siva Kasturi, Asia-Pacific Regional OEM Manager for Shell Global Lubricants.

When it comes to heavy equipment used in construction and mining, how do oils and lubricants optimise the life of the machine?
Lubrication management is critical to the construction industry in particular 87 per cent of construction and mining companies have experienced unplanned downtime, with the majority of downtime incidents directly related to lubrication issues. Our expertise lies in working with them to ensure so that they manage lubrication properly and reduce the total cost of equipment ownership. To achieve this Shell’s experts, work with customers in order to assess a construction project’s end to end maintenance costs, and deliver lubrication solutions capable of minimizing them.

Equipment design, operational parameters and surrounding environment can all pose different challenges for lubrication. But understanding how lubricants contribute to Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the first step to realizing potential savings. Selecting the right lubricant or grease is a critical first step in improving productivity and realizing significant TCO savings. Through TCO methodology, Shell has achieved helping customers worldwide to make over $139m in savings.

What are some of the factors in an equipment/machine that needs to be looked at closely to ensure the oils/lubricants offer the best results?
Working conditions in lubrication industry are always severe. The equipment design characteristics, operational parameters, operational parameters and environment must be considered when selecting a lubricant. Factors like temperature, humidity and contamination pose different challenges for lubrication particularly as many companies seek to diversify into their operations.

Unplanned construction equipment downtime can destroy all hopes for meeting deadlines for end users. 87% of firms have experienced breakdowns in the last 3 years. Apart from the construction equipment itself engines, hydraulic pumps, driveline technology are critical to construction equipment. Component life, equipment downtime and oil drain intervals – and therefore TCO – can be significantly impacted by the quality of the lubricant. Hence before selecting a lubricant friction characteristics, high loads and contact pressures, wear protection and long oil life are some key areas which need to be considered and looked at.

What are some of the products you offer for the heavy equipment utilised in the mining and construction industry?
Shell offers wide range of high-performance lubricants both for the global and Indian construction equipment market through a structured research and development alliance with OEMs. We offer superior range of engine oils, transmissions fluids, greases and hydraulic oils used in diversified applications of construction machinery. Our offerings include Shell RIMULA branded Heavy duty diesel engine oils, Shell SPIRAX range of axle and transmission oils, Shell Tellus range of Hydraulic oils and Shell Gadus range of high-performance greases which meet complete portfolio of requirements in construction and mining applications.

Through online assets such as LubeAdvisor, LubeMatch and LubeCoach, Shell provides its partners with the services, knowledge and tools they need to train their staff on lubrication best practices, find exactly the right oil for their vehicle and use case, and maintain that oil — and the machine it protects — in peak condition. Our experts can help you keep up with the pace of change and stay ahead of your competitors.

How is AI and machine learning aiding in analysing and monitoring lubrication oil?
At Shell lubricants, we were quick to adopt artificial intelligence (AI), as it attempts to speed up its digital transformation. From machine learning to computer vision, deep learning to virtual assistants in lubricants business as well. Shell Lubricants has introduced Shell LubeChat, the first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot tool for B2B lubricants customers. Shell LubeChat is an online chat robot that is designed to give users around the world easy, real-time access to product support, technical services and lubricants data. Currently available in the United States, China and India this service will be launched in the United Kingdom in the coming weeks and other markets later in the year.

Shell LubeChat can be used across a wide range of businesses and sectors, including general manufacturing, construction, agriculture, power and fleet. Designed to help optimize efficiency for our customers and distributors, Shell LubeChat, alongside the entire suite of Shell Lubricants Services, can help solve day-to-day challenges like obtaining access to information quickly.

The platform is equipped to help users in a variety of ways, including finding the right product for their equipment, accessing technical and safety data sheets on Shell Lubricants products, learning through case studies how others have benefitted in their operations by using Shell Lubricants, getting the recommended Shell alternatives to other products in the market, and finding authorized distributors for procuring the products.

Shell recently launched an artificial intelligence-driven service for its lubricant customers. Shell Virtual Assistant is an interactive one-stop shop on the Shell website where customers and distributors can ask common lubricant-related questions, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our OEM partners and customers type in their question via an online message window, and can see a reply back with an appropriate answer within seconds. The interaction is similar to a chat conversation, but instead of a live person on the other end, it is all done through artificial intelligence via a technology known as Natural Language Interaction. This technology, which is in use in certain personal assistant applications, allows interaction using normal, everyday language.

Productivity, machine reliability and energy efficiency are some of the most important aspirations for every end user who own a machine either stationary rotating equipment or a vehicle. As we continue to focus on our expertise in lubricants technology and maintain close relationships with equipment manufacturers which have enabled us to develop next generation lubricants for a wide range of industrial sectors and applications, Certainly, AI and digitization will help us meet these challenges in a far more efficient manner.