It is not uncommon for companies to externalise the production abroad, where labour costs and incentives are more attractive, while maintaining certain processes such as R&D shored and in-house. Nothing to say about the in-house R&D, it’s not uncommon as well to have the product manufactured remotely in areas like APAC or LATAM, shipped to headquarters for just quality assurance purposes and then sent back to the very countries that manufactured the product for distribution and consumption. This can significantly increase the emissions and environmental impact per product due to additional transportation and handling. However, by integrating remote quality control using Artificial Intelligence (AI) recognition, Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, companies can save on costs while decarbonising their supply chain at the same time.
New techs in support to sustainability
One of the main ways that companies can save on emissions by integrating remote quality control is through the use of AI recognition technology. AI recognition technology allows companies to automatically identify and monitor the quality of products without the need for manual inspection. This can be done using a variety of techniques such as image recognition, sensor data analysis, and machine learning. By using AI recognition technology, companies can quickly and accurately identify any defects in products and make necessary adjustments, without the need for additional transportation and handling.
Another way that companies can save on emissions by integrating remote quality control is through the use of AR and VR technologies. AR and VR technologies allow to remotely inspect and test products in a virtual environment. This can be done by creating virtual simulations of the production process and testing products in these simulations. For example, companies can use VR to create virtual simulations of assembly lines and test products in these simulations to ensure that they meet quality standards. Similarly, companies can use AR to overlay virtual information onto real-world images of products, allowing them to quickly identify and fix any defects without the need for additional transportation and handling.
By integrating remote quality control using AI recognition, AR, and VR technologies, companies can significantly reduce the need for additional transportation and handling of products. This can lead to significant emissions savings, as the additional transportation and handling required for the quality assurance process is an important source of emissions. Furthermore, using these technologies can also improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the quality control process, leading to cost savings for companies.
Support to SMEs pivotal for the techs implementation
However, implementing these technologies can be challenging, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may lack the resources or technical expertise required to implement them. To overcome this challenge, companies can seek support from technology providers or consult with experts in the field to help them implement these technologies. Additionally, governments can also play a role by providing funding and incentives for companies to invest in these technologies. It is also very important to pursue a supply chain assessment before the implementation of new techs, to be able to evaluate the level of decarbonisation before and after the implementation.
In conclusion, companies are under a significant pressure from policy makers and consumers to decarbonize their products and operations; shipping products back to HQ for just quality assurance before being sent back to the country where the product is manufactured can significantly increase the emissions of CO2 per product. However, by integrating remote quality control using AI recognition, AR, and VR technologies, companies can save on emissions and make their production processes more sustainable and cost efficient. These technologies allow companies to automatically identify and monitor the quality of products without the need for manual inspection and remotely inspect and test products in a virtual environment. It is important for companies to invest in these technologies to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainable production. In addition, governments and international organizations should support and encourage companies to invest in these technologies to reduce emissions and contribute to a sustainable future.