Yokogawa Electric Corporation has entered into a long-term strategic agreement with Shell Global Solutions International B.V. to integrate and co-develop advanced robotics and AI technologies for plant monitoring and maintenance. As part of this collaboration, Yokogawa will incorporate Shell’s proprietary Operator Round by Exception (ORE) machine vision tool into its OpreX Robot Management Core platform, expanding its capabilities for industrial customers across the energy, chemical, and related sectors.
ORE, developed by Shell, uses machine vision and AI analytics to automate key elements of the operator round process. This includes tasks like gauge reading, leak detection, and machinery diagnostics—traditionally performed by human operators. The technology represents the outcome of a two-year initiative within Shell, which combined its expertise in machine vision, integrity management, and remote site inspection.
Yokogawa’s OpreX Robot Management Core is a cornerstone of its robotics offerings. The platform enables integrated management of diverse robotic systems performing routine maintenance. When linked with plant control and safety systems, it facilitates command-and-response functionality, laying the groundwork for autonomous plant operations. The integration of ORE will significantly expand the use cases supported by OpreX, enhancing both safety and efficiency.
The collaboration will be piloted at two Shell facilities to assess the value that robotics and drones can bring to operational monitoring and maintenance. This initiative also marks Yokogawa’s first major engagement at Shell’s Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam, an innovation hub established in 2022 to unite companies, academic institutions, and government bodies in developing next-generation energy solutions.
In addition to the product integration, Yokogawa and Shell have agreed on a shared R&D roadmap aimed at further advancing machine vision capabilities and driving continuous innovation in this space.
Masaharu Maeda, Yokogawa Electric vice president, executive officer, and head of the company’s Solutions Business Division, stated, “We are very excited to be working with Shell on this key technology field that promises to address the workforce challenges facing plant owners by significantly improving the efficiency of rounds in the field, while also reducing the inherent risk to operators. We look forward to making it available to industrial facility owners globally in the near future and contributing to safer and more efficient workplaces.”
“Shell & Yokogawa have a proud history of developing together to enable advanced automation solutions for our sites. With this agreement, we are taking our relationship to the next level. Robotics solutions combined with AI provide the potential to create a step change in productivity and safety,” said Gerben de Jong, CIO for Shell Integrated Gas, Upstream and Projects & Technology.
