Among the technological trends, integration, Big Data, AI and the growing importance of decarbonization and sustainability stand out.
The so-called Industry 4.0 covers various industries, with the leaders in this transformation being the automotive industry, electronics, food and chemicals. However, in recent years, sectors such as energy, healthcare, construction and logistics have seen a significant increase in the adoption of Industry 4.0, recognizing the importance of digitization and automation for long-term survival and success. from Schneider Electric.
Emerging trends at the intersection of technology and industrial transformation position Industry 4.0 as a beacon that leads to a more efficient, sustainable and connected future. Technology trends include integration, advances in big data, analytics and artificial intelligence, and the growing importance of decarbonisation and sustainability as drivers of competitiveness.
Experts such as Ignacio Tornos de Inza (Founding Partner of KaiLean Consultores) and Juan José Colás (Head of Sales and Marketing of Lantek) highlight the diversity of approaches taken by companies in the implementation of technologies, from robotization and automation to the efficiency of processes and the exploration of new business models such as Capacity Trading or Factory as a Service.
Challenges for Industry 4.0
Despite the opportunities that Industry 4.0 brings, it faces various challenges. Continuous improvement in efficiency and competitiveness is essential, but this requires constant adaptation to a changing environment. Sustainability is emerging as an imperative and the industrial sector is facing the challenge of reducing its CO2 footprint through the use of renewable energy.
Training of the workforce is presented as a major challenge, as the adoption of Industry 4.0 means the acquisition of new skills and competencies by workers. Initial investments, lack of knowledge in some companies and the need for a change in mentality towards Industry 4.0 are also identified obstacles.
In the Spanish technology context, Ignacio Tornos de Inza highlights various key solutions such as Advanced Planning System (APS), Manufacturing Execution System (MES/MOM) and descriptive analytics and Business Intelligence tools as essential elements to achieve visibility and knowledge. and the ability to act in production processes.
Emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), the Cloud, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and developments in wireless communication protocols (such as Wi-Fi 6.0) are changing. rules of the game in the industry. Real-time data analysis stands out as a valuable tool for improving performance, correcting errors and increasing the quality of the final product.
Sustainability and automation
Sustainability and Industry 4.0 are closely linked, as digitization and automation inherently contribute to improving sustainability in industrial production. The incorporation of new technologies, including big data, artificial intelligence and automation, strives not only for efficiency and productivity, but also for sustainability.
Industrial robotics has seen significant progress in areas such as automotive manufacturing, logistics and agriculture. The flexibility of some robots to adapt to different tasks has improved manufacturing flexibility. Tools like OnRobot’s D:PLOY platform simplify the implementation of collaborative applications and make them easy to use even for companies without staff with robotic skills.
Automation of all industrial processes in Industry 4.0 enables real-time information, from data collection with IoT to operator interaction with machinery through virtual and augmented reality solutions.
The simultaneous use of Big Data, automation and AI offers benefits such as optimizing operational efficiency, improving product quality, reducing operating costs and increasing flexibility. These technologies enable a strategy focused on personalization and improving the customer experience, which is the key to a solid business strategy adaptable to market changes.