Industry 4.0: Complex, disruptive, but inevitable

Abstract

Low cost manufacturing of quality products remains an essential part of present economy and technological advances made it possible. Advances and amalgamation of information technology bring the production systems at newer level. Industry 4.0, factory for future, smart factory, digital manufacturing, and industrial automation are the new buzz words of industry stalwarts and academicians. These new technological revolutions bound to change not only the complete manufacturing scenarios but many other sectors of the society. In this paper an attempt has been made to capture the essence of Industry 4.0 by redefining it in simple words, further its complex, disruptive nature and inevitability along with technologies backing it has been discussed. Its enabling role in manufacturing philosophies like Lean Manufacturing, and Flexible Manufacturing are also reported. At last the challenges its adoption and future research areas are proposed.