Mom keeps an eye on your machines

Published: 02 February, 2008

A Californian systems integrator has launched a Web-based technology that allows machines to be monitored remotely and provides videos and photos of the machine, as well as data. The MomDevice (machine observation monitor) package, from Santa Clara-based Big Bear Automation, can be linked to any machine and logs data (including JPEGs and video clips) onto a secure Web server which authorised users can log onto to access machine status data, signals and other recorded information.

No programming, engineering, software or component assembly are needed to use the service. Process data and webcam images are stored for a year and accessed by up to 50 people. In the event of an alarm, the system can send an alarm and contact Web-enabled mobile devices such as smartphones.

As well as providing real-time information about machines and showing who is working on them, the system can also be used to access historical data, for example, producing information on rejected parts, including photographs, from two months ago.

Prices start at $3,600.