The technological transformation has slowly and steadily paved its way into the Insurance sector and has started to disrupt it gradually. I have mentioned continuously some of the most astonishing technological innovations that involve AI and machine learning and other latest innovations. But, when we talk about InsurTech, then it is one of those sectors which got a bit delayed to see the light of technical advancement. Nevertheless, Insurtech is still witnessing an enormous number of innovations some of which are already in use while some of them are underway. Innovation in insurance is happening, and the next decade will see a transformation in how the entire industry operates.

Here are some of the most significant insurance innovations in InsurTech:

1. Drones

Drones are a quite popular unmanned aerial vehicle in the aviation industry. It is equipped with many technological benefits that caught the eye of Insurance companies about five years ago. InsurTech companies started experimenting with Drones and found its application in claim adjustment, and large-scale surveying because of its small size and effortless manoeuvring.

Reasons why it is helpful for insurance companies:

• Roof damage inspections: Drones are useful for rooftop damage inspection which is touted to be one of the most dangerous and difficult inspections. In cases of fire accident or crazily high rooftops, the difficulty level is even more. Rather than sending an army of men to inspect the notoriously dangerous roofs, an adjuster can use a drone equipped camera and take the pictures of the entire rooftop without actually visiting the location physically.

• Large spaces: Drones can also be used for inspecting extensively large areas like warehouses and farmlands.

• Integration with other technologies: The images that are taken by drones can be integrated with AI-based applications and other technologies to assess the damage and repair costs.

2. Smart Homes

Insurance companies have understood the importance of technological tools that not only safeguard the customers but also reduce the total number of claims. This thought has given rise to several partnerships between insurance companies and smart home technology companies. For example, Insurance firm Allstate and farmers have developed applications for Amazon echo that helps to analyse the insurance coverage.

A well-connected home is a win-win for both the consumer as well as the insurers. Digital sensors around the house provide the resident with real-time alerts. So, damage can be minimised and sometimes eliminated resulting in insurers paying lower costs and customers having lesser premiums. Also, the smart homes allow greater data collection points that can be used to create the consumer profile based on his habits leading to an accurate underwriting and affordable coverage.

3. Quantum Computing

While AI has a significant influence on the Insurance industry it is still restricted by barriers posed by binary computing. Quantum computing is the answer to those challenges, and it is changing the entire dynamics on how insurance companies carry out complex calculations. Insurtech companies are creating, and testing solutions around this approach and its effects will soon be visible.

4. Smart Contracts

A smart contract is an electronic document that is capable of executing itself based on a set of agreed pre-defined conditions and clauses. Non-adherence to any of the requirements results in penalties as in a traditional legal document. It is an intelligent way to create and process policies online with strangers without the involvement of a third party. Japanese insurance company Tokio Marine & Fire Insurance Nichido together with NTT data has already started to test blockchain technology for defining policies for sea-based business exchanges.

5. Telematics Insurance

Telematic insurance car products are similar to black boxes. A telematics device equipped with GPS, SIM, motion sensors and an analytic software is installed in a car to determine the driving patterns of the driver. The telematics box collects and processes all this data and send this to the insurance companies. With the help of this data, the insurance companies create tailored insurance plans for their insurants. This service prevents companies from using the “one size fit all” approach and help to create a more sophisticated and specific insurance plan.

The insurance sector is on its way of digital transformation and customers are also expecting the same from their insurance providers. IoT, wearables are some of the other innovations that are in the nascent stages of development, but soon we can expect them to become a major part of InsurTech innovations.

Smart Machines & Smarter Humans: AI in the Manufacturing Industry

By : Sampada S M

Published on Feb 19, 2025

AI Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing

We have all witnessed Industrial Revolutions reshape manufacturing, not just once, but multiple times throughout history. Yet perhaps “revolution” isn’t quite the right word. These were transitions, careful orchestrations of human adaptation, and technological advancement. From hand production to machine tools, from steam power to assembly lines, each transition proved something remarkable: as machines evolved, human capabilities expanded rather than diminished.

Take the First Industrial Revolution, where the shift from manual production to machinery didn’t replace craftsmen, it transformed them into skilled machine operators. The steam engine didn’t eliminate jobs; it created entirely new categories of work. When chemical manufacturing processes emerged, they didn’t displace workers; they birthed manufacturing job roles. With each advancement, the workforce didn’t shrink—it evolved, adapted, and ultimately thrived.

Today, we’re witnessing another manufacturing transformation on factory floors worldwide. But unlike the mechanical transformations of the past, this one is digital, driven by artificial intelligence(AI) working alongside human expertise. Just as our predecessors didn’t simply survive the mechanical revolution but mastered it, today’s workforce isn’t being replaced by AI in manufacturing, they’re becoming AI conductors, orchestrating a symphony of smart machines, industrial IoT (IIoT), and intelligent automation that amplify human productivity in ways the steam engine’s inventors could never have imagined.

Let’s explore how this new breed of human-AI collaboration is reshaping manufacturing, making work not just smarter, but fundamentally more human.

Tools and Techniques Enhancing Workforce Productivity

1. Augmented Reality: Bringing Instructions to Life

AI-powered augmented reality (AR) is revolutionizing assembly lines, equipment, and maintenance on factory floors. Imagine a technician troubleshooting complex machinery while wearing AR glasses that overlay real-time instructions. Microsoft HoloLens merges physical environments with AI-driven digital overlays, providing immersive step-by-step guidance. Meanwhile, PTC Vuforia’s AR solutions offer comprehensive real-time guidance and expert support by visualizing machine components and manufacturing processes. Ford’s AI-driven AR applications of HoloLens have cut design errors and improved assembly efficiency, making smart manufacturing more precise and faster.

2. Vision-Based Quality Control: Flawless Production Lines

Identifying minute defects on fast-moving production lines is nearly impossible for the human eye, but AI-driven computer vision systems are revolutionizing quality control in manufacturing. Landing AI customizes AI defect detection models to identify irregularities unique to a factory’s production environment, while Cognex’s high-speed image recognition solutions achieve up to 99.9% defect detection accuracy. With these AI-powered quality control tools, manufacturers have reduced inspection time by 70%, improving the overall product quality without halting production lines.

3. Digital Twins: Simulating the Factory in Real Time

Digital twins—virtual replicas of physical assets are transforming real-time monitoring and operational efficiency. Siemens MindSphere provides a cloud-based AI platform that connects factory equipment for real-time data analytics and actionable insights. GE Digital’s Predix enables predictive maintenance by simulating different scenarios to identify potential failures before they happen. By leveraging AI-driven digital twins, industries have reported a 20% reduction in downtime, with the global digital twin market projected to grow at a CAGR of 61.3% by 2028

4. Human-Machine Interfaces: Intuitive Control Panels

Traditional control panels are being replaced by intuitive AI-powered human-machine interfaces (HMIs) which simplify machine operations and predictive maintenance. Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk uses AI analytics to provide real-time performance analytics, allowing operators to anticipate machine malfunctions and optimize operations. Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure incorporates predictive analytics to simplify maintenance schedules and improve decision-making.

5. Generative AI: Crafting Smarter Factory Layouts

Generative AI is transforming factory layout planning by turning it into a data-driven process. Autodesk Fusion 360 Generative Design evaluates thousands of layout configurations to determine the best possible arrangement based on production constraints. This allows manufacturers to visualize and select the most efficient setup, which has led to a 40% improvement in space utilization and a 25% reduction in material waste. By simulating layouts, manufacturers can boost productivity, efficiency and worker safety.

6. Wearable AI Devices: Hands-Free Assistance

Wearable AI devices are becoming essential tools for enhancing worker safety and efficiency on the factory floor. DAQRI smart helmets provide workers with real-time information and alerts, while RealWear HMT-1 offers voice-controlled access to data and maintenance instructions. These AI-integrated wearable devices are transforming the way workers interact with machinery, boosting productivity by 20% and reducing machine downtime by 25%.

7. Conversational AI: Simplifying Operations with Voice Commands

Conversational AI is simplifying factory operations with natural language processing (NLP), allowing workers to request updates, check machine status, and adjust schedules using voice commands. IBM Watson Assistant and AWS AI services make these interactions seamless by providing real-time insights. Factories have seen a reduction in response time for operational queries thanks to these tools, with IBM Watson helping streamline machine monitoring and decision-making processes.

Conclusion: The Future of Manufacturing Is Here

Every industrial revolution has sparked the same fear, machines will take over. But history tells a different story. With every technological leap, humans haven’t been replaced; they’ve adapted, evolved, and found new ways to work smarter. AI is no different. It’s not here to take over; it’s here to assist, making factories faster, safer, and more productive than ever.

From AR-powered guidance to AI-driven quality control, the factory floor is no longer just about machinery, it’s about collaboration between human expertise and intelligent systems. And at Mantra Labs, we’re diving deep into this transformation, helping businesses unlock the true potential of AI in manufacturing.

Want to see how AI-powered Augmented Reality is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry? Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll explore how AI in AR is reshaping assembly, troubleshooting, and worker training—one digital overlay at a time.

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