Change is upon us. With the rapid advancements of our digital era, it’s impossible to avoid adopting the new technology that is emerging. As we take a moment to consider the advantages and drawbacks of the changes brought in by Industry 4.0, we may have been unaware of the fact that Industry 5.0 is already on the horizon.
Manufacturing has been evolving since the first industrial revolution and the introduction of steam machines. The electric machinery of the second revolution quickly gave way to the computers responsible for the automation that made the third revolution possible. The SMART technology of the fourth and current revolution has only just become widespread, but there’s certainly no stopping here.
What is Industry 5.0?
As we navigate Industry 4.0, we see SMART manufacturing proliferate with the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, cloud technology, and cyber-physical systems. Industry 4.0 aims to chain machines, intelligent devices, and methods to create SMART networks that can control one another.
Contrary to what might be expected, Industry 5.0 will bring the human element back into the manufacturing world. Industry 4.0 placed SMART technology at the forefront of manufacturing, while Industry 5.0 aims to increase the collaboration between humans and machines.
Industry 5.0 refers to humans working alongside robots and other SMART machines. We expect to see more advanced human-machine interfaces as we continue down this path. Irrespective of technological advancements, humans offer unmatched critical thinking skills, combined with automated processes to enhance the manufacturing industry.
To satisfy the demand for customization in the next revolution, humans will occupy more of the manufacturing industry. For those still familiarizing themselves with Industry 4.0, the new changes of Industry 5.0 may appear daunting. But there’s no need to fear: we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about Industry 5.0.
The Best of Both Worlds
Humans and machines bring forward their own unique set of skills and expertise. When humans and machines are combined, they bring out the best in one another.
Typically, robots have been programmed to perform the work which is dangerous or physically demanding to take the strain off of human workers. Simple, repetitive tasks are suitable for automation, while humans are the best at more creative tasks.
Staff can take on more responsibility and supervise processes to ensure they are completed accurately. Historically, robots used in the manufacturing industry have been kept separate from human workers; however, some companies are already deploying robots to work alongside humans. The cooperation between humans and machines brings out the best of both worlds and creates many opportunities to help the manufacturing industry progress.
Humans Will Never Be Outdated
The idea of robots taking over the world and replacing humans is thrilling, but should remain in the realm of science fiction.
Humans offer unmatched cognitive and critical thinking skills that machines cannot accomplish, which is why humans will never be outdated. Rather than replace the human element, Industry 5.0 aims to place greater emphasis on human manufacturers.
Increasing collaboration between humans and machines means improved integration, as well as faster and better automation. The combined effort of humans and machines will improve productivity on the manufacturing floor. There are now even robots that watch their human counterparts to ‘learn’ how to perform complex new tasks quickly.
Increased Efficiency
Efficiency is key to the success and growth of the manufacturing industry, and Industry 5.0 aims to further this goal.
Manufacturers are increasing the human component to help increase efficiency in the production line. In many cases, production efficiency is lowest when manufacturing processes are solely automated or solely completed by humans. The merging of humans and technology is the ideal way to improve production efficiency. This means that neither humans nor machines will be phased out from the production process; instead, they will be merged to enhance the abilities of one another.
Less Waste
Greater awareness of the environmental impacts that we have on our planet has also placed more scrutiny on the effects manufacturing waste has on our planet. Many industries are shifting towards decreased waste production and adopting ways to help remain green.
Industry 5.0’s push towards greater collaboration on the production line will impact the economy, ecology, and the social world. We will begin to see the positive impacts of reduced waste material as manufacturers adopt a zero-waste production policy. This means that waste management costs and the expense of materials will also be reduced.
Ready or Not
Once a new technology with greater efficiency and capabilities is introduced, it’s not logical to revert to older technology forms. Would you return to the older version of your cell phone once you’ve experienced new and improved features?
The same is the case with Industry 5.0. It’s essential to take the time to understand the benefits and potential problems that could arise with the advent of Industry 5.0’s technological advancements. We cannot automate every process and consider it a job well done, as there can be chances of total network collapse. Proper planning and preparation should be conducted to ensure the benefits Industry 5.0 offers are reaped with minimal collateral damage.
Although Industry 4.0 remains the foremost revolution and defines most manufacturing processes’ current state, the future is near. Industry 5.0 is the next stage in the evolution of manufacturing. Production and manufacturing processes must embrace the changes to remain competitive.
In more ways than one, Industry 5.0 is a deviation from the predicted direction following Industry 4.0. With the advancements of Industry 4.0, many production workers feared that automated processes would entirely replace them. However, Industry 5.0 has proven that this will not be the case. Collaboration, rather than complete automation, is the wave of the future and the direction in which we are headed.
Learning from Industry 4.0 and adjusting areas to improve production and manufacturing processes remains the ultimate goal of Industry 5.0. Merging the mechanical and biological worlds will produce the best outcomes for the manufacturing industry, removing the strain of physical labour from humans and adding the human ability to customize and create.
To learn more about innovating for Industry 5.0 and the tools you can use to improve efficiency, call Delta Regis Tools at 1-888-473-6862 or contact us here.
