Palifer, which is backed by Y Combinator and other angel investors, has developed a deep-learning natural language processing artificial intelligence software that generates data from work orders created in natural language

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Symboticware CEO Ash Agarwal with Palifer co-founders Emerson Hsieh and Morris Hsieh. (Credit: Symboticware Inc.)

Symboticware, a mining intelligence provider, has acquired Palifer, a natural language processing artificial intelligence (AI) company, for an undisclosed price.

Based in California, Palifer has developed a deep-learning natural language processing (NLP) AI software that produces data from work orders created in natural language. The company is backed by Y Combinator and other angel investors.

Its AI technology is expected to help the customers of Symboticware to decrease unscheduled downtime, prevent dangerous incidents resulting from the failure of equipment, as well as streamline maintenance.

Palifer’s patented AI algorithm is designed to derive meaning from unstructured work orders and repair history files produced by technicians, operators, and repair mechanics.

According to Symboticware, work orders usually have inconsistent, wrongly spelt, and unorganised information that is not possible for processing without considerable manual work.

With Palifer’s AI algorithm, managers can concentrate on individual equipment units and components that fail more regularly or at a higher cost, said the mining intelligence provider.

Palifer co-founder Emerson Hsieh said: “Symboticware customers will now be able to leverage the multi-year service records to reduce unscheduled downtime and get data from work orders that historically have been perceived as not very useful.”

The NLP AI software of Palifer is said to have been validated by several industrial customers. Among them are German railway company Deutsche Bahn and a major Canadian mining company.

Symboticware said that the software is integrated fully with its 4-Sight.ai telemetry platform. The software will also be used as the technological core for a standalone AI platform, which is presently under development, said the company.

Symboticware CEO Ash Agarwal said: “Adoption of AI by industrial companies has traditionally been very difficult. This new technology changes the game. Palifer’s AI is plug-n-play, can be online in hours and does not require hardware.

“The product immediately creates value by preventing unscheduled downtime that can cost up to $130,000 per hour. The software is already built, tested at live operations and is ready to be deployed.”