Smart Shift

As artificial intelligence (AI) and technology sectors continue to evolve, West Virginia companies are poised to take advantage of these advancements and make a place for themselves in the modern industry.

Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences has locations across the country, one being based in Bridgeport, WV. Scott Jones, senior manufacturing manager of operations, says the company has experienced major growth including a recent expansion adding 50,000 square feet to the Bridgeport facility.

Jones says at Aurora, human-machine collaboration helps increase safety and success of complex missions.

“Aurora uses cutting-edge technology, including automation and robotics, to meet the exacting standards of our customers,” he says. “For example, our robotic composite manufacturing cell uses robots for precise part machining, transport and dimensional inspection of aircraft components. Increasingly, humans are working cooperatively with robots to deliver manufacturing accuracy and repeatability beyond what can be achieved by either alone.”

As AI continues to evolve, Aurora is interested in discovering how it can help meet demand for unmanned aircraft systems and provide more opportunities for the company.

Touchstone Advanced Composites

Triadelphia, WV is home to Touchstone Advanced Composites: creator of the CFOAM carbon foam material, made entirely from West Virginia-mined coal.

“We are proud to say that CFOAM tools have been used to make parts for a number of high-performance aircraft and spacecraft that are in flight today,” says Dan Connell, president of Touchstone Advanced Composites.

The Triadelphia facility recently underwent an expansion to grow manufacturing space as well as added making carbon fiber composite aircraft parts to its services. This means the facility can now house engineering, tooling and part production all in one place. Connell also says that though Touchstone has only just begun exploring AI, it recognizes the impact it will likely have on the composite space.

“We’re definitely paying attention to AI, taking advantage of low-risk opportunities to test and get familiar with it and ultimately thinking about the biggest problems we have to solve and how AI might prove to be a useful tool,” he says.

Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center

As AI and technology rapidly develop, the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) is helping manufacturers and entrepreneurs keep up.

Derek Scarbro, director of the MAMC, says the facility houses more than $24 million of technological equipment that can serve as a test drive for companies wanting to learn about its benefits.

MAMC also hosts the Systems Maintenance, Automation and Robotics Technology (SMART) career skills program to help students learn to navigate and embrace technological advancements.

“We are integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into our industrial training programs and in the delivery of our services to manufacturers,” Scarbro says. “The rapid evolution of these processes can be overwhelming. By staying ahead of the curve, we can help companies understand the technology and how they can leverage the benefits.”

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc.

Toyota West Virginia has played a major role in workplace robotic use in the Mountain State.

David Rosier, president of Toyota West Virginia, says the company utilizes both robots and collaborative robots, or cobots, to eliminate repetitive motion and help on the production line or shop floor. These robots and cobots are used to assist with operations like handling heavy items or working alongside team members to improve efficiency.

Rosier says the company’s team members are often empowered to develop a new way of doing things. Examples of this may include using AI for continuous machine health monitoring or to conduct visual inspections.

“We are one of the state’s largest employers and, because our team has proven to be smart, capable and dynamic, our future is bright as Toyota evolves from an automotive manufacturer to a true mobility company,” Rosier says. “Robots and cobots will certainly be part of that transformation, but our continued success will be led by the people who work here.”

Vandalia Health

Vandalia Health has begun using Clinical AI Agent, an Oracle Health Generative AI solution that records and takes notes on doctor-patient meetings, at its Princeton, WV, primary care facility.

The use of Clinical AI Agent helps physicians spend more one-on-one time with their patients. Rather than spending time during visits taking notes or entering data, they can engage on a more personal level and improve the overall success of the appointment.

Clinical AI Agent works by recording and transcribing the patient visit, incorporating it with the information previously entered by the physician and then making a note listing things like the chief complaint, history of present illness and current medications.

According to Vandalia Health, the use of Clinical AI Agent has already decreased time doctors spend on documentation by 30%.

“Using a robot during a procedure has benefits for the patient and surgeon,” Samuel Deem, DO, MBA, CAMC director of robotic surgery, says. “We continue to grow our robotics program to perform an expanding variety of robot assisted procedures.”