It is with great pleasure that we present an exclusive interview with Rafiq Somani, Area VP, and Country Manager at Ansys Canada. In this enlightening conversation, we delve into the realm of system modeling, simulation, and visualization across diverse technology sectors. Join us as we gain valuable insights from Mr. Somani’s wealth of experience and expertise in this dynamic field of system modeling, simulation and visualization and its application for Cyber Physical Systems.
What role do you see AI-augmented simulation is playing in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in various industries, with specific focus on manufacturing, and healthcare?
Simulations play a pivotal role in advancing the capabilities of both the manufacturing and healthcare sectors, offering unique and substantial benefits in each domain.
In the manufacturing sector, simulations extend beyond the traditional applications like predictive maintenance. They become instrumental in comprehending the intricate influence of variations introduced during the manufacturing process and their subsequent impact on the performance of products. By employing simulations to model and analyze these variations, manufacturers can gain valuable insights into how different factors affect the final output. This, in turn, enables manufacturers to provide performance guarantees with greater confidence and accuracy. Moreover, a deep understanding of variations through simulations allows for the reduction of warranty costs by addressing potential issues before they arise in real-world scenarios. To make simulations in manufacturing more effective, fast- acting models with a low computational footprint are essential. This need is met by leveraging AI-augmented simulations, which bring speed and efficiency to the modeling process. The integration of artificial intelligence enhances the simulation capabilities, making it possible to analyze complex manufacturing scenarios swiftly and with precision.
In the healthcare sector, where variations in the patient’s data is pronounced, simulations play a crucial role in personalized medical interventions. Fields such as orthopedics and cardiology have witnessed significant advancements by incorporating simulations into their practices. The ability to model and simulate various medical scenarios enables healthcare professionals to predict and understand the potential outcomes of different interventions. This is particularly crucial in situations where individual patient characteristics significantly impact treatment effectiveness.
Technologies like SimAI become invaluable tools for healthcare practitioners, allowing them to quickly assess and comprehend the potential impact of proposed interventions on patient outcomes. Given the urgency often associated with critical medical situations, the speed and accuracy afforded by simulation technologies contribute significantly to informed decision-making and improved patient care.
Can you provide insights into the genesis of Ansys’s focus on developing AI-augmented Simulation technology, and what inspired the integration of AI into engineering Simulation?
The Pervasive Insights strategy underscores the integration of AI-augmented simulation technology into the product development process, revolutionizing the way insights are harnessed and applied. This strategic approach acknowledges the indispensability of leveraging advanced technologies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of simulations throughout the design lifecycle.
AI-augmented simulation brings about a paradigm shift by significantly accelerating the generation of insights while ensuring a higher degree of accuracy. One notable application is the utilization of reduced order models for parameterized simulations. This innovation allows for the swift deployment of validated simulation results, captured within AI-augmented models, directly to design engineers. The outcome is a democratization of the design process, empowering designers to utilize these validated workflows and expediting the Request For Quote (RFQ) process from a protracted 3 months to a mere 1 week or less. This represents a tangible manifestation of the transformative power of AI-augmented simulations in streamlining critical aspects of product development.
Furthermore, the imminent release of SimAI technology introduces another dimension to the strategic vision. This technology incorporates deep learning on historical data, extracting implicit insights that may have previously gone unnoticed. Designers can now rapidly comprehend the ramifications of their modifications within seconds to minutes, fostering a more dynamic and responsive engineering process. This capability becomes particularly crucial in industries where both form and function are paramount, ensuring that compromises are minimized or eliminated altogether.
AnsysGPT technology constitutes a third pivotal element in this strategy, leveraging large language models to provide global customers with access to Ansys curated documents in their preferred language. By facilitating seamless access to best practices in simulation, regardless of geographic and linguistic barriers, this technology empowers users to enhance their productivity and innovation. The result is an enriched simulation practice that aligns with industry-leading standards, propelling users towards the creation of superior products.
How do you see the future of simulations evolving in the area of Cyber Physical Systems, and what role do technical innovation hubs like IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation play in the innovation and research to enhance the offerings?
Simulation has long been at the forefront of innovation, driving advancements in human technology. It serves as a powerful tool, providing answers and insights to aid in the design of more efficient, safe, reliable, and high-performing products.
Furthermore, Simulation holds immense potential for enabling innovation in Cyber Physical Systems (CPS).
Cyber Physical Systems leverage connected systems to automate interactions in the physical world they inhabit. These interactions can be incredibly complex, involving scenarios that are difficult to imagine or replicate. For instance, in cyber physical warfare, autonomous unmanned vehicles may play crucial roles both on the ground and in the air, collecting vital intelligence or actively supporting net-centric warfare systems. The scenarios that unfold in such situations can be highly intricate and challenging to visualize. Navigating a warzone, avoiding obstacles, and maintaining safety and communication with minimal human involvement present significant challenges that are difficult to grasp without the aid of simulation.
Simulation technology can create virtual environments, objects, and interaction scenarios, allowing us to assess whether a system meets its key performance indicators (KPIs). By simulating “what-if” scenarios, simulation enables us to explore questions that cannot be practically tested. It provides invaluable insights into the overall system, expanding our understanding of unknown scenarios that could make the difference between mission success and failure.
Numerous examples exist across various domains where CPS systems are instrumental, including autonomous vehicles, factory automation, healthcare monitoring, and disaster management. Simulation offers valuable insights into these missions, contributing to their successful outcomes.
The mission of the IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation is to accelerate the market adoption of new technologies developed in academic laboratories through effective partnerships with industrial and startup partners for commercialization.
Simulation lies at the heart of this technological innovation, and DRISHTI CPS plays a pivotal role in facilitating research in these areas to drive innovation forward.
As a board member and your long time association with DRISHTI CPS Foundation, how do you believe our hub has progressed in realizing its mission of fast tracking the market adoption and commercialization of novel technologies?
Over the years, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable progress made by DRISHTI CPS in realizing its mission of accelerating the market adoption and commercialization of novel technologies. In tandem with the strategic integration of simulations in manufacturing and healthcare, DRISHTI CPS Foundation has implemented transformative policy changes to fortify its team and drive collaborative initiatives. These changes are all aimed at bolstering the foundation’s capabilities and fostering innovation.
Recruitment strategies have been revamped to attract and retain top-tier talent, aligning with the foundation’s mission of accelerating the market adoption of novel technologies. The emphasis on procuring cutting-edge expertise ensures that the team is well-equipped to address the challenges posed by the dynamic landscape of Cyber Physical systems. From its humble beginnings with a small team, DRISHTI CPS has successfully expanded its workforce to include over 30 members, comprising individuals with diverse skill sets in technical, techno-commercial, and administrative roles. The inclusion of technical experts in the hub has ensured a deep understanding and proficiency in the intricacies of Cyber Physical systems, enabling the foundation to engage in cutting-edge research and development activities. The techno-commercial team has additionally brought a strategic perspective, combining technical expertise with business acumen to navigate the complex landscape of market adoption and commercialization.
Furthermore, procurement policies have been meticulously designed to facilitate the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and other required assets. This ensures that the foundation stays at the forefront of technological advancements and supports the researchers with best in class facilities.
The foundation has actively pursued partnerships with industries and fostered international collaborations to broaden its network and enhance its impact. These collaborations bring in diverse perspectives, expertise, and resources, facilitating a more comprehensive approach to addressing challenges in Cyber Physical systems. In parallel, the foundation has successfully secured grants giving precursors of its focus on self sustainability.
As a board member, I have been a witness of the foundation’s progress in realizing its mission. its efforts to bridge the gap between academia and industry. The commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship has not only catalyzed the growth of startups and spin-offs within the ecosystem but has also propelled the commercialization of innovative technologies.
Drawing from your extensive industry experience, what strategies or initiatives would you recommend to facilitate the hub’s transition into a self-sustaining entity?
I would recommend several strategies to enhance DRISHTI CPS’s position within the industry and facilitate its transition into a self-sustaining entity. Continuous research and development efforts should take precedence to ensure that technologies remain innovative and competitive. Strong partnerships with industry leaders and startups are crucial for insights into market needs, trends, and accessing resources for the commercialization process. Embracing emerging technologies and staying abreast of regulatory changes can position DRISHTI CPS as pioneers in the Cyber Physical systems field, anticipating market demands.
Additionally, I would recommend diversifying revenue streams through licensing agreements, consulting services, and commercialization partnerships to reduce dependence on external funding and generate sustainable income.
Investing in marketing and outreach efforts is crucial to raise awareness of capabilities and achievements, enhancing
visibility and credibility within the industry. This attracts potential collaborators and customers, further contributing to sustainability. Finally, prioritizing talent retention and professional development initiatives ensures a high caliber team capable of driving innovation and delivering value to stakeholders. This comprehensive strategy can position DRISHTI CPS for continued success in transitioning into a self-sustaining entity within the industry.