Industry 5.0 goes beyond Industry 4.0 because it shifts the focus from economic value to a broader concept of social value.
Based on Industry 4.0
In order to fully understand Industry 5.0, it is necessary to summarize the approach and objectives of Industry 4.0.
First, Industry 4.0 aims to bring a high level of digitization to the manufacturing industry. Typical jobs include and integrate a wide range of technologies, including iot, digital twins, robotics, automation, data sharing, complex analytics, and the increasing use of AL and ML.
These technologies aim to increase productivity and efficiency through virtualization (such as digital twins of work units, production lines, and factories) and automation, reducing human intervention in processes. For this approach to work, there must be a high level of integration and communication between machines and systems. This allows individual elements in manufacturing operations to make decisions independently, without the intervention of a human operator.
Industry 5.0 upped the ante
Industry 5.0 builds on Industry 4.0 technologies, but emphasizes collaboration between humans and machines. Some say the goal is to create a balance between automation and the use of human insight in operations. In other words, it aims to create the world's best environment for taking everyday tasks off workers through automation. However, using the expertise of workers on the production line, processes and operations can be refined and improved in real time.
For that matter, many examples from manufacturing and other industries show that human insight can be combined to improve outcomes. Take the field of modern meteorology as an example. Similar to how the manufacturing industry uses iot, analytics, modeling, and more, the forecast is based on collecting massive amounts of weather data from around the world. This data is absorbed into complex models that produce predictions.
Many operations involving aviation, transportation, logistics, event planning and other industries are based on these forecasts. But those seeking a competitive edge hire their own meteorologists, who take care of the model output and refine the forecasts. In some cases, meteorologists may fine-tune forecasts based on what they know about a particular area. In other cases, they may know something the model did well or missed, and refine the predictions based on those insights.
Skilled auto manufacturing workers can use their expertise to do similar things to expand the benefits of factory automation.
Sustainable aspects of Industry 5.0
In today's market, regulators, shareholders and customers all have sustainability requirements and aspirations. Automakers adopting smart manufacturing strategies and implementing appropriate technologies can address these issues while improving operations, increasing revenue, cutting costs, and more.
To do so, manufacturers must address sustainability in a coordinated, integrated, and formal way, rather than an uncoordinated AD hoc approach (which is all too common). Therefore, end-to-end scenario planning and strategic analysis are required, rather than focusing on the sustainability aspects of a particular operational element (e.g., waste reduction in production, fuel economy of vehicles, etc.).
Once the right strategy is in place, smart technology comes into play. Smart manufacturers can collect relevant data to measure parameters related to sustainability. Data can be aggregated, analyzed, shared and reported to all stakeholders.
The key information provided in this way helps establish a baseline and can be used to identify areas for improvement. In both cases (i.e., shifting the focus to sustainability and digitizing operations), manufacturers embarking on a sustainability path can use this information to identify use cases and scenarios where they can have the greatest impact, and then prioritize those things.
Social welfare aspects of Industry 5.0
When it comes to Industry 5.0, the main concern is sustainability. But the goals of Industry 5.0 and what can be achieved are much more than that. As mentioned above, one aspect of Industry 5.0 that is expected to play an important role is improving the well-being of workers.
A prime example is addressing worker safety in complex manufacturing environments, including the use of automated systems and robots.
Some robots do dangerous work, while others perform tasks that can wear out human operators.
When looking at robotics from the perspective of Industry 4.0, the focus is on operational efficiency. The digital twin of the robotic system will ensure the smooth operation of the entire work unit or production line. Simulation also helps to ensure safe operating conditions.
Industry 5.0 extends this type of work to find ways for robotic systems to collaborate with human workers. Therefore, Industry 5.0 will not be looking for robotic systems with limited functionality or that are isolated for safety reasons, but rather for ways for robotic systems and humans to work together. Such collaborative robots, as some say, will amplify the benefits of robotic systems by imparting the operational knowledge of human workers to the process.
