The Fourth Industrial Revolution is here, with automation changing the way we work, but with some people looking to the future—Industry 5.0—where are we on our journey to a more technological future?
First, let’s look back. I explain the phenomenon of the Industrial Revolution in my book Sustainable in a Circular World. Here is the premise. During the Industrial Revolution, technological changes appeared on the scene slowly. Innovations often met with strong resistance from state officials and other guilds concerned that technologies would replace entire industries of trades people. But by 1700 in England, and by 1750 in France, the resistance to change had weakened, signaling the winds of change and technology adoption was quickly taking flight. By the beginning of the 18th century, machines were used extensively in manufacturing, which revolutionized the way products could be produced.
Most can agree we are now experiencing the greatest metamorphosis in history, possibly since the Industrial Revolution. Perhaps the greatest and most significant impact since the adoption of machines is the Information Revolution. While some might disagree, history will ultimately tell the tale. However, based on the speed and breadth, the Information Revolution will have an even greater influence on the use of machines and how information will be extrapolated and applied to run our companies better than the influence of machines in our past.
Industry 4.0, then, is the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with the ongoing automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices, using technology and the IoT (Internet of Things). We are very much in the messy middle of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with factors like supply chain disruptions, worker shortages, and climate change, just to name a few, impacting this revolution.
The market is still experiencing growth to this day, with an estimated value of $81.7 billion in 2020 and expected growth to reach $298.2 billion by 2027, according to AllTheResearch. This is a growth rate of 20.3%. The analyst firm suggests this growth is due to high demand for AI (artificial intelligence) and ML (machine learning) from the manufacturing industry. In addition, the increasing trend of internet penetration and digitalization driven by the increasing demand for efficiency and cost-effective productivity in various industries is driving the Industry 4.0 Market.
As an example of advancement, recently, Nokia announced the launch of an industrial edge solution, Nokia MX Industrial Edge. It will allow enterprises to accelerate their operational technology digitalization initiatives and advance their journeys to Industry 4.0. The new solution is based on Nokia’s AirFrame Open Edge server, which leverages Intel’s latest innovations and CPUs (central processing units) for high-capacity processing.
By adopting the Nokia MX Industrial Edge, enterprises will be able to take advantage of on-premise cloud-edge architecture that provides them with the low-latency required for reliable operations while keeping data local to maintain data sovereignty within the enterprise environment. This is simply one example.
Universities also recognize the drive to greater automation—specifically in small and medium-sized businesses. The ICAMS (Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems) at Auburn University is the recipient of a $7.2 million award from the DoD’s (Dept. of Defense) Office of Industrial Policy’s IBAS (Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program) to encourage small and medium-sized manufacturers to adopt the advanced technologies associated with Industry 4.0 or smart manufacturing. The award will allow the center to increase efforts to improve the skills of the next generation of engineers and the existing workforce to take full advantage of those technologies in their operations. Pretty impressive.
While many are still focused on making Industry 4.0 work for all—like small and medium-sized manufacturers—others are looking to the future: Industry 5.0. Here businesses will be able to automate the manufacturing process further. Imagine a world where people are working alongside robots and smart machines. But many have a different take on what exactly this will look like.
The European Commission suggests Industry 5.0 provides a vison of industry that aims beyond efficiency and productivity as the sole goal and reinforces the role and the contribution of industry to society. It places the wellbeing of the worker at the center of the production process and uses new technologies to provide prosperity beyond jobs and growth while respecting the production limits of the planet. It complements the existing “Industry 4.0” approach by specifically putting research and innovation at the service of the transition to a sustainable, human-centric, and resilient European industry.
Along the same line, but with a slightly different spin, the Intl. Society of Automation suggests Industry 4.0 offers mass production with little or no human involvement, while Industry 5.0 brings personalization and the human touch back to manufacturing. I only hope all the discussion about Industry 4.0 and 5.0 doesn’t get lost in all the noise of the discussion of yet another “G” as in 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and what’s on the horizon 6G discussion. We need to be focusing on how to rebuild and revamp our manufacturing operations.
While we are still a way from reaching a consensus on what comes next, one thing is for certain, Industry 4.0 is here, and if you aren’t automating your business in some way, you are going to be left behind.
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