Industry 4.0: The Next Stage of Automation
Redefining automation with industry 4.0
We are in the middle of a new transition where tech experts and economists say it could be the next great revolution of human technology, Industry 4.0. AI, cloud, and data tech can be used to refine industrial processes with sophisticated applications, says Nick Shah, CEO of Peterson Technologies.
First, there was the Stone Age. Then the Iron Age. And now the Industrial Revolution.
Historians have chosen to define the timeline of human progress by our relationship with our tools and for a very good reason. Technology has always been the most accurate indicator of human progress, and unlike sociocultural or philosophical indicators, it always progresses toward growth. Every few centuries, this progress reaches critical mass, and we experience a revolution that changes not just sectors and industries but society as a whole, what we call industrial revolutions—steam, electricity, and then computerized manufacturing.
We are in the middle of another transition. One so widespread and compelling that tech experts and economists think it could be the next great revolution of human technology.
It’s called Industry 4.0.
What Is Industry 4.0?
The third industrial revolution introduced computers to the industrial process, making them an essential tool for manufacturing, logistics, and service delivery. Under Industry 4.0, computers will achieve greater connectivity, gain greater autonomy, and work to build more independent and efficient industrial systems.
One possible scenario could see technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud architecture, big data, and artificial intelligence integrating to build highly automated “smart factories” which can handle multiple aspects of product/service delivery from creation to consumer. These factories will be run via a computer network that communicates with each other and modulates production based on highly comprehensive data metrics. As a result, our production/service delivery processes will become more efficient and less time, labor, and resource intensive.
Industry 4.0 was first coined in Germany and popularized by economist and founder of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Shwab, in 2015. Since then, it has entered the lexicon of many tech-focused policymakers across the globe. Produktion 2030 in Sweden, Society 5.0 in Japan, and Industria 4.0 in Italy are all examples of industry 4.0 strategy in action. Here in the U.S., the Industrial Internet Consortium is working on accelerating IoT adoption in industries.
How Can We Capitalize on Industry 4.0?
Imagine a factory that can automate every aspect of production. Run by autonomous AI and using data science-based decision-making, the factory can import raw materials, build the product, and prepare it for shipping without human interference. Consider how a “smart factory” could operate in the real world:
- Based on data gleaned from consumer behavior, the factory’s AI determines what products consumers are most likely to buy. Amazon, for example, uses AI on its e-commerce website to help better predict consumer behavior and offer better suggestions for future purchases.
- Based on this consumer information, the factory will determine the amount of raw material required. AI in procurement is a reality, and conglomerates like ExxonMobile are investing heavily in developing this further.
- Production automation is already a reality in many industries, such as the automobile industry. Consumer data can also be used to customize the product.
- Once the product is built to specification, the AI will prepare it for shipping.
- The kicker—almost all of this AI tech can be built and maintained using cloud architecture, significantly reducing physical overheads and making it accessible from anywhere in the world.
- End-to-end manufacturing, from requisition to delivery handled entirely by the “smart factory.”
Naturally, this level of connectivity will come with a greater need for robust cybersecurity. Businesses will have to invest in keeping their cybersecurity up-to-date and capable of handling threats on the network. Necessity drives invention, and the need for greater safety will drive cybersecurity innovation across the board.
As they exist today, AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data science technology can make this a reality. The only thing missing is the ability to link all three fields together in one efficient whole. This is where ongoing Industry 4.0 advancements in IoT and Internet of Systems (IoS) technologies can play a part in building networks for end-to-end connectivity.
See More: How to Get Out of Tech Debt and Become an IT Innovator
Industry 4.0 Is for Everybody
This is one straightforward example of a much more complex idea. AI, cloud, and data tech can be used to refine industrial processes with far more sophisticated applications that go far beyond the manufacturing of consumer goods.
Industrial tech has always made it possible for businesses to identify and correct flaws in the development and delivery process. With advancements in big data and data analytics, we are entering an age where businesses can accurately predict failures, and AI can take steps to prevent them.
Industry 4.0 has also democratized these technologies and made them more broadly applicable. Today, the cost of high-quality AI, cloud servers, and sophisticated data analytics have dramatically declined to the point where companies of virtually any size can launch an Industry 4.0 initiative.
Applying this business intelligence is no longer restricted to optimizing the shop floor or production line. It can be used wherever business systems collect performance data from real-world objects, which can help companies reduce energy costs, tighten security, improve safety, and prevent waste anywhere in the organization.
Leveraging the Future with Industry 4.0
Industry 4.0 empowers business owners to better control and understand every aspect of their operation and allows them to leverage instant data to boost productivity, improve processes, and drive growth.
Scaling up to match the needs of Industry 4.0 technology and leveraging its myriad possibilities will take time. It takes time, significant resources, and major talent- as all dynamic growth does. But if companies take the time to develop a robust strategy and deployment roadmap, companies can begin their Industry 4.0 integrations and chart a steady course forward for the future.
How do you think industry 4.0 will leverage the future of automation? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
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