Digital industry around the world

The book, called 4.0 Sight – Digital industry around the world, explains what manufacturers need to know about different global initiatives such as Industry 4.0, Made in China 2025 and L’usine du future and how to apply the ideas to their own business models. Each chapter explores the role of technology in Industry 4.0 and predicts which technologies will shape the future of manufacturing, such as deep learning, modular automation and integrated platforms.

The book also explores how these technologies, which also include artificial intelligence, remote monitoring and additive manufacturing will be crucial as we develop new ways of automating industry and the workforce of the future. Developments in advanced manufacturing technologies are also discussed.

The book features interviews with a range of induatry experts, such as Steve Ward, applications engineering director at GE and Nigel Smith, CEO of TM Robotics. Each shares a perspective on how these global initiatives are changing the manufacturing industry and how businesses can adapt to remain competitive.

“We keep hearing about the next industrial revolution but no one has put this into context to explain exactly what it means for companies around the world,” explained Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director of EU Automation and co-author of 4.0 Sight. “As a result, many manufacturers are scrambling to digitalise their operations often without a true appreciation of where the industry is headed. 

“We wrote 4.0 Sight to eliminate any confusion for manufacturers. It acts as a travel guide to Industry 4.0 across the world,” added Wilkins. “Each country has a different focus in its aim to digitalise. For example, Japan faces an ageing workforce and population, China is planning on becoming the world’s strongest economy and the UK wants to position itself as a leader in AI. Because the speed of development varies by country, we’ve seen the same industrial revolution referred to by different names.”

4.0 sight covers both the role of technology and people in the future of manufacturing. Experts give their perspective on the skills gap, engineers at Renishaw give their perspective on the gender gap and the book explores how automation will change the nature of human jobs in manufacturing.