ABB elected to the Industrial Internet Consortium Steering Committee

Eric Harper, a senior principal scientist specialising in software architecture and sustainable technologies at ABB’s Corporate Research Center in the United States, will represent ABB in the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) Steering Committee.

The IIC is an open-membership organisation with about 250 members from 30 countries, formed to accelerate the development, adoption and widespread use of interconnected machines and devices, intelligent analytics and people at work. Founded by AT&T, Cisco, General Electric, IBM and Intel in March 2014, the consortium catalyses and coordinates the priorities and enabling technologies of the Industrial Internet. The consortium is managed by the Object Management Group (OMG).

“We are honoured and privileged that Eric has been chosen by his peers to join the steering committee as an industry representative,” said Bazmi Husain, CTO of ABB. “Interconnected manufacturing, ‘smart’ products and services coupled with talented people are driving a fourth industrial revolution, offering opportunities for cost savings, energy savings, factory efficiencies and increased social value.

“Eric has made significant contributions … including thought leadership around building ecosystems for customers that support collaboration and interoperability,” continued Husain.

The IIC Steering Committee’s tasks include defining the overall priorities of the consortium, setting its direction, providing fiscal oversight, approving all testbeds, defining and managing policies and procedures, and other items as required. It comprises four permanent seats for founding members and its executive director, Dr Richard Soley, five contributing members and four additional representatives, who are chosen every year from large industry members, smaller companies, and academia/non-profits.

“We look forward to having ABB and Eric Harper as part of the IIC Steering Committee for their unique perspective and insight as a leading global technology company,” said Dr Soley. “ABB will help drive growth for the Industrial Internet across utility, industry and transport and infrastructure customers.”