A Dizzying Journey through Technologyland with Peter Terwiesch

ABB chief technology officer Peter Terwiesch led us on a Mr. Toad's Wild Ride through the future of technology this morning as he discussed ABB's technical roadmap. Terweisch went through the standard challenges and the drivers for R&D. Then he talked about some coming technology trends: *MEMS: Terweisch talked about the ABB partnership with MIT to develop MEMS relays-- they've gotten to over 100 volts in a highly robust 2 mm width. *FTIR: Fourier Transform Infrared analyzers for online as well as laboratory *Using the noise and the signal for diagnostics and improved measurement-- he discussed impulse line detection, vibration reduction in vortex meters and bubble detection in magmeters as examples *digital communications and wireless-- first penetration will be HART wireless "there are so many instruments out there that are getting smarter, but they are a little introverted," he quipped. *Integrating electrical and instrumentation controls *Software-- new methodologies for testing, prototyping, new architectures and increased emphasis on security *Process engineering tool integration with full bidirectionality *Asset management *Macro optimization of entire plants Terweisch ended with a quick look at discrete manufacturing as well. Walt Boyes BlackBerry service provided by Nextel