GE Ventures has launched Avitas Systems, a new division that will focus on using robotics, AI-based technologies, and predictive data analytics, to provide advanced inspection services for the oil and gas, transportation, and energy industries. The news was announced the day after long-time CEO Jeff Immelt announced that he would be stepping down, after leading GE through a period that has seen the company refocus on IIoT services – shedding divisions that didn’t suit this vision. Launched at GE’s Minds + Machines conference, Avitas’ goal is to improve the efficiency of the kinds of mandatory operational inspections required in industrial facilities – especially those in remote locations. There are big cost benefits to be had from using something like a…