What exactly is Industry 4.0? — Peter Zieve

Industry 4.0 essentially refers to the fourth iteration of the industrial revolution, in which sees improvements in the mass automation in the 3rd iteration of the industrial revolution. This phase is characterized by new digital innovations such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and machine learning. The main change is the introduction of connectivity between machines, explains innovator and inventor Peter Zieve.

It must be noted that industrialization began with the mechanization of the processing and manufacturing industry following the invention of the steam engine in the 1800s. This was followed by the rise of mass production with the arrival of electricity and the assembly line. The third industrial revolution is, as stated above, a widescale implementation of automation.

By being interconnected, the smart industry being fostered by Industry 4.0 allows for more operational efficiency and less human error. The latter will be ensured, as smart factories will entail having significantly less human involvement in menial tasks, with work done by people elevated to the level of intervention. This is significant in that it likewise lowers instances of accidents and the risking of human lives.

Some countries are now implementing Industry 4.0, including the United States, Japan, Singapore, and China. Many initiatives have already been started, with names such as Industrial Value Chain Initiative, the Smart Nation Program, Made in China 2025, and simply Smart Manufacturing. Even tech giants like Amazon are embracing industry 4.0 with the deployment of robots in warehouses, adds Peter Zieve.

Peter Zieve is an inventor, innovator, and holder of 50 patents. He is also an entrepreneur, engineer, and leader. He is also the CEO of Electroimpact, Inc., a world leader in the design and manufacturing of aerospace tooling and automation. Visit this blog for similar articles about technology.

Originally published at https://sites.google.com.