Nokia Unveils MX Workmate: Revolutionizing Worker Interaction with Operational Technology

Espoo, Finland , Feb 15, 2024: Nokia has introduced MX Workmate, a groundbreaking suite of operational technology (OT)-compliant tools designed to simplify interactions between industrial workers and industrial machines.

MX Workmate leverages Generative AI (GenAI) and large language module (LLM) technologies to generate contextual, human-like language content based on real-time OT data. This empowers workers to comprehend complex machines, access real-time status information, and enables industries to achieve greater flexibility, productivity, sustainability, and enhance worker safety.

In the face of a looming skilled labor shortage, exacerbated by a projected deficit of 85 million skilled tech workers globally by 2030, organizations are turning to AI tools to alleviate HR challenges and enhance employee capabilities. However, existing GenAI LLM solutions fail to meet stringent OT requirements, including reliability, availability, security, and data sovereignty.

Nokia’s MX Workmate addresses this gap by adapting GenAI LLM technology to OT environments through integration with the Nokia OT-compliant on-premise edge compute solution MX Industrial Edge (MXIE). This integration includes AI hallucination elimination, parallel LLMs, and APIs for communication with applications providing OT data. Workers can query the assistant using Nokia Team Comms, receiving real-time contextual information in easy-to-understand natural language messages.

Moreover, the solution integrates AI auditing capabilities to ensure adherence to OT standards using real-time insights and automated analytics to streamline workflows and prevent costly errors.

This innovative man-to/from-machine communication employing natural language processing enables workers on factory floors to receive real-time information about production status, volume, quality, and recommendations for improvement. Early warnings based on real-time data evaluation facilitate preventive maintenance, minimizing downtime, while continuous risk evaluation ensures prompt delivery of safety instructions during emergencies.

Reece Hayden, Senior Analyst at ABI Research, remarked on the significance of MX Workmate: “Nokia MX Workmate is the first Gen AI solution designed for production floors that effectively addresses many of these challenges. It provides contextually relevant and real-time information exchange between connected workers and complicated OT systems in a secure and reliable way using natural human language.”

Stephan Litjens, Vice President of Enterprise Solutions at Nokia, emphasized the transformative potential of MX Workmate: “MX Workmate leverages the combined benefits of our One platform for business-critical wireless connectivity with OT-compliant on-prem compute edge for I4.0 applications and worker devices. It is a great opportunity for enterprises eager to advance their digitalization strategy but face challenges due to the gap in workforce expertise.”

Nokia MX Workmate will be showcased for the first time at Nokia’s booth 3A20 at MWC2024, demonstrating its potential to revolutionize worker interaction with operational technology and drive industrial transformation.