AI Assistant
The AI-powered virtual assistant of the IoT platform is a software agent designed to understand user queries and commands entered in natural language (via text input) and to perform tasks or retrieve relevant information on the user’s behalf.
Architecture and Operating Principles
Key components of the virtual assistant include:
- Text recognition. Enables the application to interpret typed queries.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP). A branch of artificial intelligence focused on computer-based understanding, interpretation, and generation of human languages. NLP allows the virtual assistant to comprehend user requests and provide appropriate responses.
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. The virtual assistant leverages these technologies to continuously learn from interactions with experts and users, understand query context, and expand its knowledge base and user experience.
- User Interface. The application features a functional interface offering text input and textual responses from the assistant, along with result visualization.
- Server infrastructure for storing and processing user queries, handling data, and delivering suitable responses in real time.
Note
The AI-powered virtual assistant is an essential addition to the “Secure IoT Platform for Telemetry Data Collection and Processing.”
The virtual assistant provides 24/7 technical support and delivers information related to IoT systems and gas technologies. Its primary purpose is to assist our clients and partners with issues concerning monitoring, control, and management of gas, water, electricity, and heat metering systems, as well as with selecting and implementing hardware and software solutions produced by our company.
Main Sections
Core functional areas of the AI virtual assistant:
Equipment Consultations
- Technical specifications and descriptions of telemetry units (VADTel).
- Operating principles, purpose, and advantages of each device.
- Assistance in selecting the optimal solution for specific tasks (residential or industrial facilities).
Technical Support
- Installation, configuration, and operation procedures for equipment.
- Troubleshooting assistance and clarification of device-specific operational features.
- Consultations on integrating telemetry units with existing metering systems (correctors, meters, SCADA systems).
IoT Platform Operation Clarifications
- Data collection from all types of devices (gas, water, heat, electricity).
- Digitization of the resource supply chain, accounting for supply hierarchy, consumption, and data access rights.
- Unified reporting and analytics system.
- Predictive analytics and anomaly detection in resource consumption.
- Integration with external systems (OPC DA/UA, REST API, SCADA).
- Clarifications on system architecture, data unification, and security.
Monitoring and Data Analysis
- Guidance on configuring and using the personal dashboard to view data.
- Assistance with data export, report generation, and consumption analysis.
- Consultations on remote equipment monitoring and control.
Certification and Compliance
- Information on equipment and platform certificates and licenses.
- Explanations of applicable standards and regulations.
- Consultations on explosion protection, metrological verification, and equipment compliance with safety requirements.
Economic Efficiency
- Information on payback periods for IoT solution implementation.
- Explanations on how to reduce metering costs (up to 70%) and lower consumption (by 10–40%).
- Assistance in evaluating the economic impact of monitoring system deployment.
Integration and Compatibility
- Consultations on equipment compatibility with various types of meters and correctors.
- Clarifications on connecting new devices to the telemetry data collection and processing platform and configuring data exchange.
- Support with data communication protocols (Modbus, OPC UA, JSON, etc.).
Training and Documentation
- Links to instructions, user manuals, and technical documentation.
- Assistance with server configuration, API usage, and system administration.
- Consultations on staff training and role assignment within the system.
Usage Example
Example of user query processing by the AI assistant:
AI Assistant
User
AI Assistant
User
AI Assistant
To connect the diaphragm-type volumetric gas meter Elster G4T to the data collection system, additional devices are required, as this meter lacks built-in data communication interfaces.
Key steps for connection:
- Install an impulse sensor: To collect data from a gas meter without built-in interfaces, an external impulse sensor can be used. This sensor will register each diaphragm rotation of the meter and transmit this information to the data collection system.
- Use a telemetry block: A telemetry block such as VADTel AIotU5 can be used to collect data from the impulse sensor and transmit it to the data collection server. The telemetry block will be connected to the impulse sensor and configured to send data via cellular network (GSM/GPRS).
- Configure the data collection server: On the data collection server, configure parameters to receive data from the telemetry block. This includes setting up communication schedules, data transmission parameters, and data processing rules.
- Integrate with the monitoring system: After configuring the telemetry block and data collection server, integrate the data collection system with the monitoring and analytics platform. This will enable data visualization and consumption analysis.
Step-by-step overview:
- Install the impulse sensor on the gas meter. The sensor must be configured to detect each diaphragm rotation.
- Connect the impulse sensor to the telemetry block. Configure the telemetry block (e.g., VADTel AIotU5) to collect data from the sensor and transmit it to the data collection server via cellular network (GSM/GPRS).
- Configure the data collection server to receive and process data from the telemetry block, including communication schedules and data handling rules.
- Integrate the data collection system with the monitoring platform to visualize and analyze gas consumption data.
Thus, you will be able to collect and analyze data from the diaphragm-type volumetric gas meter Elster G4T despite its lack of built-in communication interfaces.