Pioneering Progress: At the Forefront of Digital and AI-Led Transformation

Having embarked on a transformative journey in #digitalisation and artificial intelligence (#AI), L&T is today pioneering groundbreaking initiatives that are shaping the future of hi-tech engineering and construction. L&T’s Chief Digital Officer Mahesh A. Chikodi delves into some of these initiatives.

Larsen & Toubro, a name synonymous with engineering excellence for over 80 years, is today also leading some of the most innovative technology use-cases in the industry. Initiatives that harness the depth and scale of our in-house capabilities. Our commitment is three-pronged: transforming our own operations, redefining industry benchmarks, and empowering a future driven by technology.

Industry-Firsts: Charting a New Course in Materials Management

L&T spearheads the development and implementation of several industry-first initiatives. Take, for instance, our holistic material value chain management system. Imagine managing nearly 1.2 billion dollars' worth of materials annually. We track every ton of material used across our projects, from procurement to consumption, with a digital footprint captured at every stage. This in-house system encompassing over 300 automated weighbridges and RFID tags, ensures complete transparency and eliminates pilferage. We've achieved similar success with our fuel value chain and concrete chain management systems, all developed in-house.

Let's take a closer look at the impact of our concrete chain management. Over 6 million tonnes of cement is used annually across our various projects, and managing it requires meticulous planning and real-time data. Our comprehensive system provides constant visibility into concrete production, transportation (geofencing tracks every mixer truck), pilferage, and pouring. Optimised logistics ensure timely deliveries and play a significant role in the successful completion of projects.

Revolutionising Operations: Efficiency and Optimisation

L&T is at the forefront of leveraging digital and AI advancements to optimise processes and maximise efficiency. Our WISA platform, again, developed in-house, exemplifies this. WISA, which stands for Worker Induction and Skill Assessment has onboarded over 2.5 million workers. The platform allows us to assess the skill level of workers, deploy them at various sites, and monitor productivity. We have also leveraged AR/VR technology on the platform to train them on safety, project planning, and quality control.

In addition, we've implemented an IoT platform with sensors and gateways to track nearly 14,000 equipments across our sites. This not only optimises equipment utilisation, but also empowers us to identify potential maintenance needs well in advance, preventing downtime. We're one of the first companies to have such a comprehensive system in place.

Building a Digital-First Enterprise: Optimising AI

We have evolved from descriptive to predictive, to now prescriptive analytics. For example, we can accurately predict when a machine is going to fail well in advance and take prescriptive measures towards it. We have leveraged Computer Vision to help us improve safety by helping us identify gaps in PPE kits, harness detection, and edge barricading. RFID tags are helping improve worker safety and productivity.

L&T's dedication to digital and AI transformation extends far beyond the present. We actively invest in R&D to ensure we remain at the cutting edge. Our L&T CS (Cognitive Services) initiative exemplifies this. It focuses on developing Large Language Models (LLMs) for tasks like contract and legal document review. This pilot project, already live with 50 users, demonstrates our commitment to pioneering solutions and was even featured in the Microsoft AI First Movers Tech Edition recently.

We're also embarking on Industry 4.0 initiatives at our heavy engineering plants. This involves deploying robots for tasks like precast material handling, improving efficiency and worker safety. Additionally, the L&T Geo Data Bank stores 3D scans of project sites and topography, facilitating better planning and execution for future endeavours. We have scanned various geographies using drones, helicopters, LIDAR, sensors mounted on 3 and 4-wheelers. The Company currently has data from over 600 project sites, which has been supplemented by secondary data of 8000 topography sheets. This enables us to plan and mobilise our resources and logistics better. This is something only a company like ours can achieve.

A Collaborative Journey

L&T's digital and AI transformation journey is not a solitary pursuit. We collaborate extensively with leading technology providers, fostering an ecosystem of innovation.

L&T's dedication to digital and AI transformation serves as a beacon of progress for the industry. Through our industry-first initiatives, culture of innovation, focus on operational excellence, and commitment to personalised customer experiences, we're not only shaping our future but also paving the way for a future empowered by technology. As we continue to explore the vast potential of digital and AI advancements, expect even more groundbreaking achievements to emerge from L&T in the years to come.