Industry Technologies
by Dave Gardner, Editor/Publisher of The Needle’s Eye
While the benefits of digitalization and Industry 4.0 have been discussed for years, there is a growing interest in Industry 5.0.
Industry 5.0 goes beyond Industry 4.0 in that it shifts the focus from economic value towards the broader concept of societal value (sustainability and reduced energy use) and well-being (worker safety in complex manufacturing environments that include working with automated systems and robotics).
Building on Industry 4.0To put Industry 5.0 into perspective, it is worth summarizing the methodologies and goals of Industry 4.0.
To start, Industry 4.0 seeks to bring a high level of digitalization into play for manufacturing. A typical effort includes and integrates a wide range of technologies, including IoT, digital twins, robotics, automation, data sharing, and sophisticated analytics.
These technologies aim to increase productivity and efficiencies via virtualization (e.g., digital twins for work cells, production lines, and plants) and automation, reducing the need for human intervention in processes. For such an approach to work, there must be a high level of integration and communication between machines and systems. That allows elements within manufacturing operations to make decisions independently without needing a human operator’s intervention.
Industry 5.0 appears to be the key to reconciliation between humans and machines. The main goal is to use the best human creative thinking to solve problems hand in hand with the cognitive perfection of machines to develop processes
Key features of Industry 5.0:Human-centered: Industry 5.0 puts the well-being of workers at the forefront, aiming to create a more fulfilling and productive work environment. This includes using technology to augment human capabilities, not replace them.
Sustainable: Industry 5.0 seeks to minimize the environmental impact of industrial activities, by reducing waste, conserving resources, and adopting circular economy principles.
Resilient:
Industry 5.0 aims to create industrial systems that are adaptable and able to withstand disruptions, such as natural disasters or economic downturns.
Technologies that are enabling Industry 5.0:
- Artificial intelligence (AI): AI is used to automate tasks, make predictions, and optimize processes.
- Internet of Things (IoT): IoT sensors and devices collect data about the physical world, which is then used to improve decision-making.
- Big data: Large datasets are analyzed to identify patterns and trends, which can be used to improve efficiency and innovation.
- Robotics: Robots are used to perform tasks that are dangerous, repetitive, or difficult for humans.
- 3D printing: 3D printing is used to create products on demand, reducing waste and inventory costs.
Benefits of Industry 5.0:
- Increased productivity: Automation and data-driven decision-making can lead to significant increases in productivity.
- Improved product quality: AI and IoT can be used to identify defects and improve product quality.
- Reduced environmental impact: Sustainable practices can reduce waste, conserve resources, and lower emissions.
- Enhanced worker well-being: Human-centered approaches can create a more fulfilling and productive work environment.
- Increased resilience: Industry 5.0 systems are better able to withstand disruptions.
Challenges of Industry 5.0:
- Skills mismatch: The workforce will need to be upskilled and reskilled to adapt to Industry 5.0 technologies.
- Data security and privacy: The increasing collection and use of data raises concerns about security and privacy.
- Ethical considerations: The use of AI and other technologies raises ethical questions, such as bias and transparency.
- Investment costs: Implementing Industry 5.0 technologies can be expensive.
What are the Industrial Revolutions?
The First Industrial Revolution came with the advent of mechanization, steam power, and water power.
This was followed by the Second Industrial Revolution, which revolved around mass production and assembly lines using electricity.
The Third Industrial Revolution came with electronics, I.T. systems, and automation, which led to the Fourth Industrial Revolution which is associated with cyber-physical systems.
Industry 4.0 TechnologiesGenerally speaking, Industry 4.0 describes the growing trend towards automation and data exchange in technology and processes within the manufacturing industry, including:• The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)• Cyber-physical systems (CPS)• Smart manufacturing• Smart factories• Cloud computing• Cognitive computing• Artificial intelligence
Industry 5.0 will mark the reconciliation between humans and machines.
Sustainability aspects of Industry 5.0Additionally, Industry 5.0 takes things to a new level concerning sustainability, emphasizing social and environmental responsibility in manufacturing.
In today’s marketplace, regulatory agencies, shareholders, and customers have sustainability mandates and desires. To accomplish those mandates and desires, a manufacturer must address sustainability in a coordinated, integrated, and formal manner rather than in an uncoordinated ad hoc manner, which is quite common. So, rather than focusing on the sustainability aspects of one element of operations (waste reduction in production), there needs to be end-to-end scenario planning and strategic analysis.
Once the right strategy is set, that’s where smart technologies come in. A smart manufacturer can collect relevant data to measure sustainability-related parameters. The data can be aggregated, analyzed, shared, and reported to all stakeholders.
The critical information provided in this manner helps establish a baseline and can be used to identify areas for improvement. Such an approach is exactly the same game plan auto manufacturers followed in their initial digitalization and Industry 4.0 projects. In both cases (the shift in focus to sustainability and digitalization of operations), a manufacturer starting down the sustainability pathway can use the information to identify published use cases and scenarios that deliver the greatest impact and then prioritize those things.
Societal well-being aspects of Industry 5.0When Industry 5.0 is brought up, much of the focus is on sustainability. But the goals and what can be done with Industry 5.0 go far beyond that. As noted above, one aspect where Industry 5.0 is expected to play a major role is improving workers’ well-being. A prime example is addressing worker safety in complex manufacturing environments, including working with automated systems and robotics.
When looking at robotics from an Industry 4.0 perspective, the focus is on operational efficiency. Digital twins of robotics systems would ensure smooth operations in the context of the entire work cell or production line. Simulations would also help ensure safe operating conditions.
Industry 5.0 extends such work to seek ways for robotic systems to work collaboratively with human workers. So, rather than having a robotic system with limited functionality or fenced off for safety, Industry 5.0 would look for ways for a robotic system and humans to work together. Such cobots, as some call them, would amplify the benefits of a robotic system by imparting the operational knowledge of the human worker into processes.
Industry 5.0 will mark the reconciliation between humans and machines.
Although most businesses are adopting Industry 4.0 concepts and incorporating computer systems, computers, and software into production, many are still integrating their existing workforce. Rather than firing their employees, they're looking for new areas where human assistance is required and reorganizing their duties to create new roles.
Businesses were concerned that the introduction of Industry 4.0 would result in a reduction in the number of human employees working in manufacturing facilities. Industry 5.0, on the other hand, is trying to reintroduce the human factor back into the equation. Increasing the level of automation on the production floor can help reduce job risk by delegating difficult, strenuous, and dangerous tasks to machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Creating a balanced mix of human intelligence and cognitive computing can result in unprecedented gains in production efficiency and process perfection. It's about what manufacturing's future holds, and how the business can plan for it in the coming years. It’s better to get started now, because as we discussed earlier, these revolutions are coming fast and furious.
Brands are extending the benefits of 3D design to provide personalization in point-of-sales. With all of these simple but well-structured digital tools, brands can take the first step toward the bold future of Industry 5.0 but, more than that, they will then be two steps ahead in two critical aspects of the future: customer engagement and no deadstock. All of us as consumers, and especially the environment, are very grateful for that.
Cross-Sector PartnershipsSince neither apparel brands nor most manufacturers are currently well-placed to develop the requisite disruptive technologies, brands will need to start partnering with technology companies and start-ups to develop creative automation and robotic solutions if they are to compete in an increasingly difficult sector.
Companies must carefully choose their approach to achieve this, and cross-sector alliances are crucial in this regard. Brands and retailers with ample financial resources should consider investing in technology companies as soon as possible.
Key industry players will compete in the new environment of fashion industry 5.0, which is an automated, high-value-generating fashion industry that is the result of a joint effort between people and technology linked via bold strategies.