Keep in mind that Industry 4.0 changes the way we work. Although no one knows what the future of employment will be in a decade, thanks to Industry 4.0 productivity will probably grow by leaps and bounds. So there's every reason to start preparing now for the work of the future.
To understand the changes provided by Industry 4.0, it is very important to know the foundations on which it is based, these are established around a total of four fundamental pillars:
- Cyber-physical systems: Cyber-physical systems have gone from being an abstract and distant concept to something that is already being used daily in people's lives. They are systems whose components are intertwined with software and benefit from advances in mechatronics and cybernetics, among other advances.
- Internet of things: This is one of the most well-known and widespread concepts in today's society since it is making its way into everyday elements and is very recognizable by all kinds of people. It refers to how everything is interconnected within the network. In other words, if before with the Internet we could make a connection between our computer and a sea of information, now not only these devices are connected, but all kinds of tools, appliances, and other machines are also connected. Where all these elements converge is the Internet of Things.
- Maker culture: Sometimes also known as the “maker movement” is a contemporary culture that represents a technology-based extension of Do it Yourself (DIY) culture. This promotes the idea that everyone is capable of performing any task instead of hiring a specialist to do it. The do-it-yourself concept has reached the industry through different routes and possibilities, which has given the maker culture a leading position when it comes to understanding this industrial revolution. Professionals and experts unleash their maximum imagination to carry out projects of all kinds that are related to electronics, engineering, technology, and robotics.
- Factory 4.0: Of course, the factories that adopt these trends and that are interconnected through the ideas of the fourth industrial revolution are the ones that are going to make this technological project take hold in all kinds of sectors. It is necessary for the factories to adopt a revolutionary profile, to connect, access information in real-time, and make the most of the different options provided by this new system to organize new industrial fronts. The objective is clear and everything indicates that the fourth industrial revolution is not only starting strong but is aiming high to mark another point of interest in the history of humanity.
We are currently in the first stage of the new Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. In this new paradigm, cyber-physical systems are the "backbone". And technologies like connected sensors, the cloud, and virtual software offer great potential to transform everything from the factory floor to logistics.
Industry 4.0 will not only improve the way manufacturing works as a whole, but it will also break down barriers between different departments, enable remote working and make all staff more connected.
It also helps and activates the personalization of the orders, managing to reduce the stress of the individual worker and fulfilling the expectations of customers. Most importantly, it allows workers to concentrate on important tasks, leaving the heavy and monotonous work to the machines.
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Given the potential of such technologies, it is easy to see how many factory workers feel threatened by losing their jobs, the fear now is the same as in the first industrial revolution, humans are “expendable”. According to different studies, automation could replace 5 percent of workers worldwide.
The change, however, would be gradual, taking decades to happen, rather than happening overnight. And, it is worth clarifying that, if we people did not become expendable the first time, we will doubtfully become unnecessary this time.
The question should not be what will be lost when we enter Industry 4.0, but how we can improve what we already have, both in the skills of staff and manufacturing processes, to make the most of our newly connected world.