Industry 4.0

What is Industry 4.0?

Industry 4.0, or the fourth Industrial Revolution, refers to the current trend of integrating digital technologies for automation and digitalization of production processes in the manufacturing industry. This term was introduced globally since 2011 at the Hanover fair in Germany.
It combines physical and digital technologies, interconnected through networks based on Internet protocols that can communicate with each other without human intervention, allowing for more efficient production adapted to the changing needs of markets that demand more flexible and customized production systems.

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Components or pillars

Many authors [,, et. al.], agree that the pillars of Industry 4.0 can be included in the following.
⦁ Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) - Connecting devices and machines to exchange data.
⦁ Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) - Integration of computational processes with physical processes.
⦁ Big Data and Data Analysis — Collection and analysis of large volumes of data to optimize decisions and processes.
⦁ Autonomous Robotics - Autonomous or semi-autonomous robots that can collaborate with humans.
⦁ Simulation/Digital twins - Digital models that simulate products and production processes.
⦁ Cloud Computing — Availability of processing and storage resources over the Internet.
⦁ Augmented Reality - Combination of the real world with superimposed digital information.
⦁ 3D printing - Additive manufacturing for the creation of physical objects from digital models.
⦁ Blockchain - Distributed record technology for the security of transactions and data.
⦁ Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning - Systems that learn and improve tasks on their own.

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Global Trends

⦁ Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) - Devices connected to the network collect and share data to support informed decision-making. These devices range from simple sensors to advanced machinery whose functionality makes it possible to control or monitor high-risk or potentially fatal situations.
⦁ The use of 5G cellular networks to improve connectivity and data transmission speed.
⦁ Distributed computing at the edge of the network or at the border, which brings information processing and storage closer to the location to provide greater processing capacity and better response times.
⦁ Cybersecurity - With the increasing interconnection between devices, information security becomes essential. Companies are investing in protecting not only their systems and data, but their network and communications infrastructure.
⦁ Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Machines can learn from data and improve over time, using mathematical data models that, over time, support the most accurate decision-making processes.
⦁ Simulation and digital twins: Companies can create digital replicas of their physical assets, allowing tests and analyses to be carried out without intervening in reality.

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Opportunities in Mexico

In Mexico, interest in and adoption of the Industry 4.0 concept has been increasing progressively. While there is no exact date when this concept was formally introduced, it can be said that its adoption and recognition has intensified in recent years, especially due to the increasing digitalization of the industry and the need to remain competitive in the global market.
The development opportunities of Industry 4.0, in particular, have triggered the following opportunities for companies:
⦁ Training and training - With the digital transformation, there is a growing need for specialized skills. Companies and schools must invest in the formation of human capital in these new technologies cf.
⦁ Innovation in products and services - Industry 4.0 opens doors to the creation of new products and services adapted to the changing needs of the market cf.
⦁ Sustainable development - Automation and energy efficiency can lead to greener production.
⦁ Inclusion of SMEs - Not only large corporations should benefit from Industry 4.0. Small and medium-sized businesses also have great potential to adapt and grow cf.
⦁ Horizontal and Vertical Integration: Integration along the entire value chain and between different hierarchical levels of the company.
⦁ Custom production - The ability to adapt production to individual customer needs on a large scale cf.
⦁ Predictive maintenance - Predict machine failures and schedule maintenance before a real problem occurs.

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Conclusions

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Industry 4.0 is not just a passing trend, but a natural evolution of industrialization, as a leverage of company strategies and operations. In our country, there are sectors that can benefit from the adoption of one or more pillars of Industry 4.0, which can potentially add value to companies, since it allows them to know what they produce, for whom they produce it and how they can improve what is produced or enter possible new markets.

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About Apollocom

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At Apollocom, we continuously seek excellence, and we adopt the pillars of Industry 4.0 to support Telemetry, Automation/Control and Telecommunications solutions, not only in the Oil and Gas industries, but in new markets such as Aeronautics and Railway Transportation, among others, integrating Connected Technology with Intelligence®.

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