Industry 4.0 is an unplanned name for a state of change. Years before the pioneer German engineers, policy makers and specialists conceived of Industrie 4.0, no one beginning from the Industry 1.0 era has thought of the series of progress in innovation that followed. It is not to conclude there was lack of vision or imaginativeness. Simply, it shows there is novelty in incubation of ideas. Originality of paradigm needs time to mature, gain acceptance then finds adoption or adaptation.
Industry 4.0 or I4.0 for short is becoming a buzzword in the international business community. Since 2011 when the Germans first conceived it to spur growth in their economy, it caught like bushfire in Europe and US and in varying degrees of adoption for several countries in Asia. In the Philippines, I think adoption of I4.0 is in its infancy so to speak but it is in the manufacturing sector where its application is in the highest level. This article focuses on key concepts about I4.0 and what new themes it could offer and present examples of interfaces or links for enhancing integration and productivity.
Klaus Schwab, founder and Executive Director of the World Economic Forum, describes the 4th Industrial Revolution as a technology revolution that will transform our lives. The transformation involves the way we live, work and relate to one another under circumstances of virtually unlimited possibilities. Profound shift in industries, business models brought about by the confluence of technologies is occurring. Individually, the technologies can influence and allow us to express ourselves with a newly found freedom and individuality.
This 4-tier ladder depicts the 4 industrial revolutions. Championing each revolution is an invention that fuels productivity. From the bottom, the 1st was steam engine, followed by electricity, ICT then cyber-physical system. One can realize the linking of the productive output from the first to the fourth revolutions. Of course, steam and electricity are power sources although the latter is more efficient and stable. But it can be thought that the use of steam has inspired the discovery of electricity and studying its nature and sources. With electric power at hand, mass production systems for creating machines (example cars) have been developed. This has inspired the the development and creation of small machines in circuits (miniaturization) that led to the realization of customized human machine called personal computers. With the instructions or algorithm serving the “brain” of the computer, more functions and capabilities have been imbedded into the machine (computer program) that led to ICT hardwares and softwares. The 4th revolution is aimed at making highly interconnected, more intelligent and learning devices that may no longer be human-assisted but act and react on its own. The latter are cyber-physical systems that can be operated autonomously, impersonally and productively.
I4.0 offers the forging of new relationships, creation of new business models and new ways of expressing ourselves. I call these 3 contexts as new ecology, new economy and new democracy, respectively. Specifically, the criteria for developing these three “new” domains are their integration suitability, connectivity and productivity. Integration means amenability for combing philosophies and tangible aspects, both aimed at and realized. Connectivity refers to physical and virtual connection expressed in bandwidth and circuit board. Productivity is incremental change in output and outcome to benefit the knowledge workers and executives. In the next slide, I will cite tipping points on these three new things resulting from the “deep shift” toward I4.0.
I will select 1-2 examples each from these tipping points to show new ecology, new economy and new democracy not necessarily in this order. A tipping point signals a technological shift that will shape our digital and inter-connected world. It is possible that one tipping point demonstrates more than 1 of these new domains. Data for these come from a survey of 800 executives and experts from the ICT sector. The respondents expect the tipping point will have to occur by 2025.
For example, some people will wear clothes connected to the internet by 2025. One trillion sensors are connected to the internet. Some people will have reading glasses connected to the internet. The first 3D-printed car will be in production. The first implantable mobile phone will be available commercially. The first transplant of a 3D-printed liver will be done, and so on and so forth. These are new goods and services, amazing as well as seemingly incredible, yet many others are possible.
There have been 4 major trends that influenced business and society. These trends incorporate those concerning Industry 4.0 which I call as new economy. Terra trends – regional trends that increased the social interaction and trade between countries; Economic trends – emerging strong economies and flows of financial resources; Technological trends – increased connectivity and development of platform technologies; Meta trends – rising concerns about increasingly scarce resources, environment and safety. These trends call for value chain that require sensors, machines, work pieces, and IT systems which are connected.
These connected systems should interact on Internet-based protocol and analyze data to predict failure, configured themselves and adapt to the changes. I4.0 systems will allow data preparation and analysis to enable faster, more flexible, and more efficient processes to produce high-quality goods for increased manufacturing productivity, better economies and industrial growth.
New democracy can be defined by the movement and interaction of people that is significant and a driver of wealth. It will be manifested through lifestyle, health decisions, cognitive abilities, and competencies or capabilities. These will lead to rise in awareness of events and opportunities in other countries due to improved connectivity. It will also lead people to be more comfortable carrying out multiple identities. What would happen on individual level would also happen in family level. Family identities occur due to historical migrations and low-cost connectivity.
These are basic components of I4.0. They are also referred to as pillars of I4.0 because they are key system of technologies revolutionizing the manufacturing industry. Data warehousing and analytics is a core capability. Digitalization of value chains, business models, customer access, product and service offerings are major processes to achieve I4.0. Many of these are now a reality with the products and solutions which we ourselves could have used and implemented. Smartphones, cloud computing, IoT systems, 3D printing, smart sensors, big data analytics, and augmented reality wearables are examples of products and solutions which we use and enjoy.
In the context of I4.0 key enabling technologies will reshape the industry and a responsive education called Education 4.0. The cyber-physical system that essentially defines I4.0 has these 5 components -ioT, human-robot collaboration, cloud technology, big data analytics and autonomous systems. A responsive education is also considered cyber-physical education that comprises advanced methods for skills and competencies development, e-learning/training with social collaboration and interaction.
Education 4.0, in return, should emphasize on developing complex problem-solving skills, critical thinking, creativity, cognitive flexibility and emotional intelligence, which will be prevalent skills in 2020. In engineering education, this requisite is translated from modern factory knowledge into digital factory knowledge, where the transformation is from basic knowledge to intelligence, teaching aptitude, creativity and social skills.
The Philippine government through the Dept. of Information and Communication Technology has published this year the NICTEF or the National ICT Ecosystem Framework. It outlines the strategies thrusts of the government in ICT that include projects and proposals that are aligned and aimed at addressing Industry 4.0 challenges and mandates. The NICTEF could be viewed to complement other national programs such as the “i3S” or the innovation strategy through the Dept. of Trade and Industry, Dept. of Science and Technology and the Commission on Higher Education; and the Science for Change Program (S4CP) of the DOST.
Hytec Power Inc. is regularly conducting training and immersion on I4.0 and lifelong learning skills. This is in addition to the constant training and hands-on practicum and e-learning seminars on our educational solutions. To participate in these enriching and interactive activities, we can be contacted at our offices.
The Philippine challenge of I4.0 begs the question of readiness, commitment and relevance in this order of descending importance. There is not much to debate on relevance because the recognition by the international community is enough proof of it. Commitment comes with relevance settled. But are we ready logistically and structurally?Major investment is necessary in the form of equipment and material resources plus education and training of a pool of experts and practitioners. This calls for coalescing efforts and resources by academic institutions, government agencies and industry. Like the vision of the pioneers of the Industrial Revolution, the Philippine efforts may be conceived by a core group that could engulf the whole country.
