How IT will enable industry 5.0 in Manufacturing

No one underestimates the impact of the manufacturing industry on society today. The process relates to manufacturing formulas and core components, such as biotech, pharma, and chemical operations in our automobiles, especially EVs, and new lightweights used to reduce carbon emissions, windmills, and solar panels. Chemicals are everywhere in the material. In addition, pharmaceuticals are saving lives with modern drugs and vaccines.

But in the near future, a new wave of scientific computing applications and infrastructure, collectively called Industry 5.0, will transform chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other sectors of the manufacturing industry, leading to new innovations. These new “smart” applications in Industry 5.0 will be made possible by the innovations in computing systems and the advancements of the Internet of Things (IoT). And no doubt, IoT is a pillar of Industry 4.0 that is affecting manufacturing industry by offering automation and smartness. With the advent of Industry 4.0, the manufacturing industry has been redefined with a wave of intelligent applications, primarily cyber-physical systems, in which smart sensors and software make communication among machines possible.

Collaborative robots will lead

Collaborative robots, or “cobots”, will integrate human communication with modern technological devices. These are far more than independent, industrial robots that are generally insecure or out of range for human counterparts. Cobots work closely with their human counterparts, improving processes and productivity, helping them completes their work.

More importantly, they will increase man-made craftsmanship by increasing speed, accuracy, precision, and output. Hand-made items crafted by humans really catch the interest and cobots will also do it again but this time in large quantities and supplies.

Enhancing increments

It is also important to understand that, unlike previous generations, the 5.0 industry surge is more than an upgrade or revision. The previous generation of digital and automated technologies still exists and is the main drivers of growth. However, in 5.0, they offer more personal experiences and presentations.

The benefits of reintroducing human contact to the industry are considerable. Modern technologies give customers the kind of value-added, man-made products they demand, and the average worker gets more meaningful, valuable jobs as a result.

Enhances the Human Factor

The next stage in the evolution of the manufacturing process is the concept of machine-assisted humans. This will include today’s industrial IoT as well as industrial AI. Today, artificial intelligence has transformed science into laboratories and R&D. Now, these achievements need to make data useful for people so that people and machines work together as teams to create a stronger, more flexible system.

A perfect example of this concept is Boeing’s new air power teaming system. Named the “Loyal Wing Man”, these smart team members are AI-controlled drones that can fly freely or with the help of manned aircraft, thus enhancing the capabilities of military air missions. This expansion of human endeavor with machines is activating a new level of machine-assisted human cooperation that will achieve more than ever before.

Not only industry 5.0 is on the horizon but it is already being practiced, as, in the Boeing example, Industry 5.0 will deliver the recognition and acceptance that is needed to combine the speed and accuracy of technology with people’s creative and intellectual abilities. This will promote a stronger and more competitive environment. Mutual coexistence has opened up many new avenues of exploration, including exciting employment opportunities. For example, people will be further removed from routine and monotonous tasks and will instead be given the option to use their inherited cognitive skills to make the plant floor more important.

Industry 5.0 can also lead to the development of new social contracts on the factory floor. Where there will be communication between humans and their robots, there will also be human-to-human collaboration to share important information that ensures flexibility, accountability, and compliance. For example, human-led operations can provide an immediate response to adverse events or even major disasters. After all, people have a sense of responsibility but the machines haven’t.

Intelligent Plant Process Management

This is where the concept of Plant Process Management (PPM) comes into play. Machine data, compatibility with human perspective, ensures a safe and efficient plant. This requires a well-organized communication process, such as PPM, which can be deployed in an enterprise, regardless of the level of implementation of their local IoT. One of the most important benefits of PPM is that it allows capturing and analyzing information at any point during the manufacturing process.

In the production process, knowledge is acquired from people at intervals such as shift handover or inspection routine. Captured digitally, this information can be instantly transmitted to all components of the production process – from the plant floor to the top of the organization, so there is complete transparency for everyone.

As Industry 5.0 expands the manufacturing environment, we can expect machines in production plants to see a delegation of far more complex tasks as we say, “Alexa, play the music!” At home today. At the same time, people will be responsible for the performance of their manufacturing plants and will be responsible for any and all decisions.

Decentralization of data capture with information and communication models is a key platform for success, to strengthen the abundant opportunities in 5.0 for manufacturers. But, most importantly, change management is best done with all parties involved in the process – participating in their decisions will provide a solid basis for considering it.

Companies that have already implemented industry 4.0 are now investing their resources to avail the fruits of industry 5.0. The few models are already in practice in military and defense sectors but manufacturing industry still has to do a lot to implement it completely. Once implemented, the manufacturing sector will completely get evolved and optimized.