Yokogawa has teamed up with Shell to develop and implement new robotics and artificial intelligence technology aimed at improving plant maintenance operations. Central to this effort is Shell’s ORE system—a digital tool using machine vision and AI that enables robots to carry out routine inspection tasks, such as reading gauges, detecting leaks, and identifying equipment issues. The system is the result of a two-year development effort within Shell, bringing together expertise in remote inspection, corrosion management, and plant integrity.
Yokogawa will integrate ORE into its own robotics platform, OpreX Robot Management Core, which coordinates the operation of different robotic systems for plant tasks traditionally done by people. When connected to plant control systems, this software allows robots to receive and act on instructions, laying the groundwork for more autonomous facility operations. The addition of ORE will expand the range of tasks robots can perform within this system.
Pilot deployments of these technologies are planned at two Shell facilities, testing how robots and drones can support safer and more efficient inspection routines. This project marks a major step in Yokogawa’s involvement at Shell’s Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam, a collaborative research hub launched in 2022 to develop new energy solutions. Both companies have agreed to work together on further research and development to improve the underlying machine vision technology and expand its use.
Yokogawa’s leadership noted that these developments aim to help industrial sites deal with labor challenges and improve operational safety by automating routine inspections. Shell representatives highlighted the long-standing relationship between the two companies and said this latest agreement pushes their collaboration into new territory, with robotics and AI opening the door to significant gains in productivity and safety.
Yokogawa serves multiple industries—including energy, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals—with technology solutions for monitoring, control, and optimization. With a global workforce of more than 17,000 and operations in over 60 countries, the company continues to support the shift toward more efficient and sustainable industrial operations.
