The Industry 4.0 revolution and the smart factory in process industry
Industry 4.0 is a name for the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. It includes Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), the Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud and Edge Computing, and most recently Digital Twin and Cognitive Computing.
Industry 4.0 creates what has been called a “smart factory”. Within the modular structured smart factory, CPSs monitor physical processes, create a virtual copy of the physical world and make decentralized decisions. Manufacturing Processes can be represented by the Internet of Services, as the result of the convergence of IoT and CPS. CPS communicate and cooperate with each other and with humans in real time, and via Cloud Computing, both internal and cross-organizational services are offered and used by all participants.
The Industry 5.0, as described by the European Commission, complements the Industry 4.0 approach aiming to make the European industry sustainable, human-centric and resilient. Industry 5.0 brings benefits for both, workers (i.e., safe and beneficial working environment, respect of human rights, etc.) and industry (long-term competitiveness, capability to attract and retain talents, etc.).
Elements pertinent to Industry 5.0 are already part of major Commission policy initiatives:
adopting a human-centric approach for digital technologies including artificial intelligence
up-skilling and re-skilling European workers, particularly digital skills
modern, resource-efficient and sustainable industries and transition to a circular economy
a globally competitive and world-leading industry, speeding up investment in research and innovation