- Honeywell's Experion Cognition predicts process anomalies before alarms occur to improve operational efficiency.
Honeywell has unveiled Experion Cognition, an artificial intelligence-enabled control system platform developed to automate decision-making and process management within industrial control rooms. The solution was demonstrated through a live proof-of-concept deployment at the Ruwais facility operated by Borouge International in United Arab Emirates. The initiative highlights how AI technologies are being integrated into industrial environments to support operators, enhance situational awareness, and improve the consistency of plant operations while maintaining existing infrastructure investments.
Experion Cognition has been engineered to identify abnormal process conditions and take action before those situations develop into larger operational issues. The platform utilizes AI-powered agents capable of monitoring plant conditions and managing anomalies on behalf of control room personnel. By reducing the burden on operators during critical situations, the technology is intended to improve plant efficiency, minimize downtime, and strengthen overall operational safety across industrial facilities.
According to Honeywell, multiple pilot deployments demonstrated that Experion Cognition could provide predictive notifications approximately five to ten minutes before alarm incidents occurred. This early-warning capability enables operators to assess and address emerging issues before they trigger alarms or lead to process disruptions. The platform has been developed as part of Honeywell's Experion PKS distributed control system architecture and can be integrated into existing control room environments without requiring major infrastructure modifications.
Jim Masso, President and CEO of Honeywell Process Automation, stated that the new platform transforms autonomous control room operations from a conceptual vision into a practical reality. He emphasized that AI-driven agents capable of actively handling process abnormalities can assist operators in achieving more reliable and consistent operational outcomes while supporting better decision-making throughout industrial processes.
Dr. Hasan Karam, Chief Operating Officer of Borouge International, described the deployment as an important component of the company's broader AI, digitalization, and technology strategy. He noted that the program is focused on improving operational efficiency, enhancing workforce capabilities, and reinforcing long-term competitiveness. The company plans to continue evaluating the technology's performance and assess opportunities for scaling its deployment across the Ruwais complex and additional facilities worldwide.
One of the broader industry challenges addressed by Experion Cognition is the growing skills gap caused by the retirement of experienced operators. By automating process management and situational response activities, the platform can help less experienced personnel perform at levels more comparable to veteran operators. This capability may support knowledge retention within industrial organizations while reducing dependence on specialized expertise for routine operational decision-making.
Honeywell has confirmed that Experion Cognition is scheduled to become commercially available during the third quarter of 2026. As industrial companies continue investing in AI-powered automation technologies, platforms such as Experion Cognition are expected to play an increasingly important role in improving operational resilience, workforce productivity, and process optimization across a wide range of industrial sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Honeywell Experion Cognition?
Honeywell Experion Cognition is an AI-enabled industrial control room platform designed to automate decision-making and process management. The system uses intelligent software agents to monitor plant operations, detect abnormal conditions, and assist operators before incidents escalate into major disruptions. Built on Honeywell's Experion PKS architecture, it integrates with existing control room environments and aims to improve efficiency, safety, consistency, and operational performance across industrial facilities.
How does Experion Cognition improve industrial operations?
Experion Cognition improves industrial operations by identifying process abnormalities and generating predictive alerts before alarm events occur. During pilot deployments, the platform provided notifications five to ten minutes ahead of alarm incidents, giving operators additional time to respond. This proactive approach helps reduce downtime, improve safety, enhance decision-making, and support more consistent plant performance while minimizing the impact of operational errors.
Where was the technology demonstrated?
The technology was demonstrated at Borouge International's Ruwais facility in the United Arab Emirates through a live proof-of-concept deployment. The demonstration showcased how AI-powered agents can support control room personnel by managing process anomalies and improving operational awareness. Following the successful implementation, Borouge is evaluating the possibility of expanding the technology to other facilities within its global operations network.
What industry challenge does the platform address?
Experion Cognition addresses the growing shortage of experienced industrial operators caused by workforce retirements and skills gaps. By automating process management and operational responses, the platform enables less experienced employees to perform more effectively. This helps organizations maintain operational standards, preserve critical knowledge, and reduce reliance on a shrinking pool of highly experienced personnel while supporting workforce development initiatives.
When will Experion Cognition be commercially available?
Honeywell has announced that Experion Cognition is expected to be commercially available during the third quarter of 2026. The planned launch follows successful pilot programs and proof-of-concept demonstrations. Once released, industrial organizations will be able to adopt the platform to enhance automation capabilities, improve operational efficiency, and leverage AI-powered decision support within their control room environments.
Click above to visit the official source.