Artificial intelligence listens to the sound of healthy machines

Sounds provide important information about how well a machine is running. ETH researchers have now developed a new machine learning method that automatically detects whether a machine is "healthy" or requires maintenance. Whether railway wheels or generators in a power plant, whether pumps or valves--they all make sounds. For trained ears, these noises even have a meaning: devices, machines, equipment or rolling stock sound differently when they are functioning properly compared to when they have a defect or fault. The sounds they make, thus, give professionals useful clues as to whether a machine is in a good--or "healthy"--condition, or whether it will soon require maintenance or urgent repair.