In the previous publication we mentioned a mega trend of devices or artifacts connecting to the Internet, such as telephones, televisions, alarms, etc., making up what is now called the Internet of Things (IoT).
We also discussed how the word “smart” has been used to incorporate the benefits of internet connectivity of these devices, which is why everything is now smart, such as smart phones, smart TVs or even “smart traffic lights”.
Now, we will try one more step in the technological evolution and that has to do with the previous mega trend of connectivity (internet of things, “Internet of Things, IoT”), but spread to the industrial field, since the mega trend of connectivity is not only being applied to everyday devices or for home and office use, but that characteristic functionality has been extended to devices for industry, covering sensors and machines that are now connected to the internet.
Amazing how technology is spreading!
Does it become clearer to us how the industry is evolving?
We can clearly observe how industry went from using steam engines, to electric machines with serial processes for mass production, which were then replaced by electronic machines or robots to automate these mass production processes.
Today we can say that a new industrial revolution has been born by integrating the mega trend of connectivity to these electronic machines to automate mass production processes, including all their sensors and controllers (“eyes” and “arms” of the robotized machines).
This industrial revolution has been called “Industry 4.0” or “Fourth Industrial Revolution”, because it is the next step in the evolution of the previously mentioned industrial machines: from the steam engines that gave rise to the first industrial revolution; to electric machines with serial processes, of the second revolution; to electronic machines or robots for automation, third revolution.
Steam, electricity, electronics and now digitalization. Four transformations of industry.
However, the fourth industrial revolution or Industry 4.0 is still in gestation and like human gestation, it has stages during which there may be different risks or challenges that demand different care for the embryo to develop and grow to form a fetus and finally a baby can be born.