Industry 4.0 describes a wave of new technologies which will create a 4th industrial revolution in the coming decades. It will create interconnected, sophisticated, and highly automated factories using the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, robotics, cognitive computing, smart sensors, data analytics, and other technological innovations.
Industry 4.0 will be the first industrial revolution to include close interconnection between manufacturers and other parts of the economy via Smart Cities technologies. Manufacturers will be able to use the Internet of Things to gather data from their customers, allowing them to manage resources and assets much more effectively. There will be an amalgamation of traditional manufacturing techniques with cutting-edge technology, and real-time data analytics to deliver greater efficiency and productivity. It is a radical change that will completely transform the manufacturing industry.
Key Benefits of Industry 4.0.
There are ample benefits associated with Industry 4.0 for manufacturers. They include:
Usage of IoT in Manufacturing:
IoT involves a network of sensors which collect important production data from devices, workers, and environments. Cloud software is used to turn this data into useful insights on the efficiency of manufacturing operations.
Productivity Improvements Through Automation & Optimisation:
Industry 4.0 technologies can help manufacturers automate and optimise their factories more efficiently. There will be countless new ways to boost productivity.
Better Product Quality:
Real-time monitoring and IoT-enabled quality improvement will help manufacturers ensure their products are meeting very specific quality control criteria.
Better Working Conditions:
The combination of location tracking, sensor data, IoT, analytics and other technologies will help manufacturers understand how employees operate in the workplace. It will become easier to find areas of improvement for worker safety and satisfaction. Additionally, the automation of repetitive and dangerous tasks will be beneficial for employees.
Real-Time Data Making a Real-Time Supply Chain:
Additional interconnectivity along the supply chain will help manufacturers understand what to produce and when to produce it. There will also be less guesswork about how consumers are using products, allowing manufacturers to quickly adapt to changing preferences.
Customisation for Consumers:
Industry 4.0 will give businesses much greater control over how their factories operate. They will be able to fine-tune production on the fly, creating one-off designs using a variety of technologies including 3D printing, robotics and smart sensors.