Industry 4.0 – People As Key Players

The consideration being given to skill development is immense as the people factor is at the core of every industrial revolution.

- Dr. Andreas Wolf

The fourth phase of the industrial revolution or Industry 4.0 is fundamentally changing the way a wide variety of industries are working. From procurement to distribution, through manufacturing and till the finished products, processes are being automated to be more efficient, lean, agile and with higher quality. It is indeed a revolution, since it has come very fast, is changing the entire industry and it is a global activity.

The first industrial revolution was the shift to new manufacturing processes and mechanization. Moving from hand tools to machines, mechanised textile production, and the rise of the factory system. The second industrial revolution, also known as the technological revolution, was a period of rapid industrialization with advancements in manufacturing and production technology. It came in the early 20th century, when Henry Ford mastered the moving assembly line. This ushered in an age of mass production. The third industrial revolution was the advent of the digitalisation and green electricity that resulted in laying out the basis for a sustainable global economy.

The overtaking of people-centric roles by robotics, automation and intelligent sensors leads to faster and better ways of working, limited or no errors in production and highly durable systems that increase production output. This may seem like it leaves no room for individuals to participate in industrial activities anymore. Labour seems questionable in these circumstances. Some sources expect disruptive improvements in terms of quality, productivity and customer orientation; others are concerned with job losses, high costs for investments and data security.

Industry 4.0 – An invitation to be part of the future