INDUSTRY 4.0

“Information is the oil of the 21st century and analytics is the combustion engine” — Peter Sondergaard.

Industry 4.0 refers to the 4th industrial revolution that involves the usage of smart networking of machines and processes comprising the influence of information and communication technology.

The 1st industrial revolution started in the 1760s. It involved the establishment of the first factories(textile), and it was mainly powered by the significant invention, the steam engine.

The 2nd industrial began in the late 1800s. This revolution involved mass production and new industries like steel, oil, and electricity

The 3rd industrial revolution or the digital revolution began in the second half of the 20th century. It saw the invention of semiconductors, computers, and the internet.

Nine technologies are transforming industrial production

Big data: It involves examining large and varied sets of data to uncover useful information.

Autonomous robots: As the name suggest, robots that are capable of tackling complex problems on their own.

Simulation: Computer simulations to be used in determining the best possible design.

Horizontal and vertical system integration: It refers to the networking between machines

IIOT: The industrial internet of things refers to the interconnection between devices using the internet to exchange data.

Cybersecurity: It comprises of technologies designed for the protection of data.

Cloud: It’s a way of storing data over the internet.

Additive manufacturing: Also, more commonly known as 3d printing.

AR: Augmented reality refers to displaying digital objects in the real world.

Practical examples

Semi-Automated Mason or SAM, a robot that is so good at building walls it could take over the construction industry. The brick-laying robot promises to both increase productivity while reducing overall labor costs.

Audi is making its production fit for the future with the smart factory. In this factory of the future, big data- will facilitate highly efficient production. Audi might no longer build its cars on an assembly line, but according to a radically new, including drones for the transport of parts.

It has been implemented in the dairy industry by the usage of technology in the dairy farm for giving the right nutrition to the cows, robotic milking, and optimizing the temperature

Advantages

Optimization: A Smart Factory containing hundreds or even thousands of Smart Devices that can self-optimize production will lead to an almost zero downtime in production.

Pushing Research: The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies will advance research in various fields such as IT security and will have its effect on education in particular.

Customization: Creating a flexible market that is customer-oriented will help meet the population’s needs fast and smoothly.

Challenges

Security: Perhaps the most challenging aspect of implementing Industry 4.0 techniques is the IT security risk. In this case, the problem is not individual; it will cost the producer money and might even hurt their reputation.

Capital: Such a transformation will require a huge investment in a new technology that doesn’t sound cheap. In addition, such transformation will require a huge capital, which can cause trouble to smaller businesses and might cost them their market share in the future.

Employment: It is safe to say that workers will need to acquire differently or an all-new set of skills. This may help employment rates go up, but it will also alienate big sector workers. This is an issue that might take longer to solve and will have serious consequences.

Conclusion

The 4th industrial revolution does have challenges to be tackled. But it truly does provide a great opportunity for us to transform and revolutionize our lives.