The world around us is dominated by the use and application of technology. With the technology progressing each day, it is affecting each and every sector of human life. A large impact of the progressing technology can be seen in the industrial sector.
Industry 4.0, also referred to as the fourth industrial revolution is a combination of traditional manufacturing techniques with the latest smart technologies. Industry 4.0 factories as equipped with machines having wireless connectivity and sensors connected to a system where the visualization of the entire production process can be done. The machines have the ability to make decisions on their own depending on the production process.
This new type of industry is a smart step towards automation and data exchange and involves processes like Cyber-physical-systems (CPS), the Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Cloud Computing, Cognitive Computing, and Artificial Intelligence.
The concept of Industry 4.0 includes:
- Smart manufacturing
- Smart Factory
- Lights Out in manufacturing also known as dark factories
- Industrial Internet of Things for manufacturing
Components of Industry 4.0
There n number of components which together constitute the complex system of Industry 4.0. A few of these are Mobile devices, IoT platforms, 3D printing, location detection technologies, advanced human-machine interfaces, authentication and fraud detection, smart sensors, data visualization, etc.
Advantages of Industry 4.0
- It boosts the productivity of the industry.
- Efficiency is increased in the production process.
- It gives room to collaborative working as it allows various departments to communicate well regardless of the location.
- In smart factories, it is easier to scale production line with own requirements and there is flexible. It also gives room for the introduction of new products.
- In a smart factory, the costs are reduced in production as there is the best utilization of resources and faster production. When unnecessary the machine is automatically turned off.
- With automated tracking and tracing facilities, Industry 4.0 provides the best customer service as people do not have to contact other authorities for information, they can directly have access to their information.
- Industry 4.0 gives a better knowledge of the production line and thus gives manufacturers a chance to innovate with their products.
Industry 4.0 is definitely a revolution in the field of Industries and Technology. It would have a great impact on people’s lives. But it has to be used wisely to get the best out of it.
