by Brian McKay
Since the introduction of the steam engine, we have seen centuries of progress and innovation birth multiple industrial revolutions. In 2011, we began seeing the latest iteration, initially known as “Industry 4.0.” As we enter its second decade, it maintains such momentum to keep the spark of revolution relevant because of ideals and advancements finally being executed in the commercial realm.
The Fourth Power
Industry 4.0 sees manufacturing technology, cognitive computing, artificial intelligence, and more, as the essential horsemen bring about the new face of industrialization. Everything is becoming more automated, and the integration of technology affects multiple industries in ways unheard of before.
This burgeoning connectivity between machines, equipment, and physical worlds translated into the cyber realm has created what is coined as the “industrial internet of things.” It is happening at a faster rate than ever, with the speed of technological advancements accelerating in recent years and continuing to do so toward the future. According to Moore’s Law, computer processing speed is doubling every year and a half- and the data shows that it may even be exceeding that growth exponentially.
The new industrial revolution takes concepts previously hinted at during 3.0, expanding them and turning them into reality. We see this with network connections integrated into commercial systems and machinery that can communicate with each other and execute functions more efficiently and with more flexibility than before.
I Am Robot
Robotics are among the chief advancements that mark this era’s growth and progress. Big data, response times and reactions, and more capability are shifted with this new generation of machinery, and computer automation is allowing industries to reach unprecedented production numbers.
An advancement seen in this sector is the rise of the collaborative robots, or “cobots,” that are not only able to work with other machines of their likeness but also efficiently function in congruence with humans. They are automated, so they don’t need manual operators. But they can do their own tasks within an environment that has people in it.
This collaborative hardwiring makes these robots core team members in the production line. That makes for more intuitive operations that lessen errors and manufacturing costs while leading to a marked increase in quality for products finished and mobility achieved.
Getting Smart
The creation of the “smart factory” is a product of digitization combined with robotics and existing systems that can be improved. As computer systems and codes are implemented in the core workings of a factory, robots are then integrated to execute the programs that have been created.
That means daily tasks are mapped out, but automation allows for adjustment in the event of unexpected circumstances or minor changes. The integration of programmed machine intelligence will enable them to react properly while getting the job done. That meets the era’s goal of more sustainability, as this allows for more energy efficiency and cost management.
As continuing advancement changes the way our factories and industrialized environments work, it’s exciting to see where this era will take civilization and machinery.
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