For starters: we’re not a fan at all of the term, as it is the source for a lot of confusion and misunderstanding. However, as it is often used, we can’t just ignore it either. As such, for you the message that the fourth industrial revolution is about to hit us by storm is probably already old news.
The term “Industry 4.0” was already coined in 2011, for example at the Hannover Messe, one of the most famous trade shows for the industry. After lots of promises and announced breakthroughs, it seems that today the conditions finally are getting right for the fourth industrial revolution to fully take off. So it’s the perfect time to have a little recap at the history of industry 4.0, what it’s all about, and its future.
History
The very first industrial revolution took place in the 19th century with the invention of the steam engine. Suddenly mankind had access to a massive amount of horsepower and used it to transform transportation, industry, energy provision…
The second industrial revolution occurred in the early 20th century, more specifically in 1913. Henry Ford discovered the mass production model that was used in the Chicago slaughterhouses and showed the world how it could transform the manufacturing industry. Instead of one craftsman producing a car all by himself, every craftsman became responsible for one specific part of the production process and this had an enormous impact on the plant’s productivity.
The third industrial revolution followed soon. In the seventies, production processes were automated to a large extent, thanks to rapid evolution in computing power and communication technologies.
The fourth revolution is all about bringing intelligence in machines and installations. In contrast to the first industrial revolution that was driven by only one technology (the steam machine), the fourth industrial revolution will rely on a combination of multiple embedded technologies.
Current state
When the word Industry 4.0 was first dropped in 2011, its playing field has mainly been the territory of bigger engineering companies like ABB and Siemens. In a later stage a series of startups followed: a real Supplier Push. Since recently also big Tech players like Google and Amazon have entered the arena.
Today we see a change in the Demand side of things. Big multinationals, even those in the most traditional industries like steel and energy production have picked up the trend and realized that they can’t ignore it if they still want to be around in ten years. Also, governments have seen the potential of this fourth industrial revolution and they started drafting ambitious policies around the topic to make sure their economies won’t lag behind on their neighbouring countries.
One of the applications of Industry 4.0 technologies that we’ve personally seen booming in recent years is the field of predictive maintenance. In short, predictive maintenance is all about using sensor data, operational data and even environmental data to spot upcoming mechanical failures before they take place so that preventive actions can be undertaken.
This can lower maintenance costs dramatically and significantly increase the uptime of machines and installations. One of the most obvious indicators that the field is about to explode is that it is being picked up by all kinds of industries at an incredible pace. From classical manufacturing companies to operators of civil infrastructure to steel manufacturers, all are increasingly eager to implement predictive maintenance.
Technologies shaping the Industry 4.0:
- Virtual reality making visions come to live
- Additive manufacturing creating unlimited design flexibility
- Internet of things connecting everything and everyone
- Big data algorithms that help us make sense of all the information out there
- Cloud computing giving us access to unlimited computing power
- Advanced simulation helping us comprehend and structure complex information
- Autonomous robots that can act without human intervention but also think and react
- Universal integration: allowing communication between different systems
- Cyber security: making sure that all this power doesn’t get damaged or falls into the wrong hands
Future
The world where Industry 4.0 is fully implemented will look a lot different from the one we know right now. Production will for example no longer be based on economies of scale and cheap labour, but on flexibility and geographical proximity to demand. Businesses will be working in the context of mass customization or badges of one, meaning that no two products will ever be the same again since customers will be able to tailor products to their specific demands without increasing the lead time or cost of production.
This new industrial revolution will also allow handling and treating massive amounts of data, a process that will allow us to make better predictions and perform corrections in real-time. Moreover, advanced digitalisation will drive decision-making away from the center and towards the different machines, allowing for more flexibility and faster operations. Finally, it will also make the sharing of information a lot easier than it is today, which will significantly improve product tracing, reduce logistical timeframes and improve inventory management.
Literature / inspiration:
- https://www.i-scoop.eu/industry-4-0/
- https://www.desouttertools.com/industry-4-0/news/503/industrial-revolution-from-industry-1-0-to-industry-4-0
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fict.2019.00017/full
- https://www.brusselstimes.com/198037/why-industry-4-0-will-drive-europes-recovery
- https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/80058
- https://aethon.com/mobile-robots-and-industry4-0/