A quick flashback on Industrial Revolution 4.0
In the last 10 years, we have witnessed the birth of Industrial Revolution 4.0 which has shifted the industrial paradigm and transformed the operational techniques. Firstly coined by Henning Kagermann[1], as part of the German Federal Government High Strategy, the Industrial Revolution 4.0, highlighting the automation process of Smart Factory, which was made feasible because of the interconnected information technology-based system.
The development of Information Technology is a trendsetter, forcing new perspective, even beyond the manufacturing sector, where the name was firstly revived. Nowadays, regardless of their products and services, companies have labelled themselves as “Technology-Based Enterprise” to reflect the intensive incorporation of Information Technology into their DNA and core business. Moving forward, the era of Industrial Revolution 4.0 becomes the period where all parts of the operation system are integrated using advance network system, the heavy reliance on Big Data, Internet of Things, Cloud-Computing, and the application of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence into the production system.
Due to the presence of this technology, the old habit is now obsolete, disrupted by the interconnected and extensive network system, which can be controlled remotely. Take example of banking sector, which needs to survive amidst the presence of financial technology sector. As a result, banking sectors launch “one-click away” solution by mobile banking which allows consumer to conduct banking transaction even without leaving their home.
Other example is the presence of online riding such as Go-Jek and Grab which is very popular in Indonesia, that makes the conservative transportation system feel threatened; or perhaps the presence of AirBnB which becomes strong competitor of hoteliers in almost all over the globe.
Possibly the greatest legacy and purpose of Industrial Revolution 4.0 is that digital technology enables personalization of services and products to meet individual need, in a much faster, leaner, and simpler fashion. This is the era where of people can network “boundaryless”, work anytime and anywhere, as well as sell or purchase their needs using only their smartphone.
However, critics argue that Industrial Revolution 4.0 is not without its risk. The other side of the coin is the vulnerability of Industrial Revolution 4.0 due to its concern of Information Technology security and failure, personal data breach, and the likelihood that machines restructure and replace human jobs.
However, will this risk continue posing its salience?
Arrival at the brink of Industrial Revolution 5.0
Even when the 4.0 is still relatively new, and that many of us are still trying to relate to its benefit, the forecast of what is coming after 4.0 period has become a serious talk of business and IT practitioners.
Next? The Industrial Revolution 5.0.
Whereas the focus of Industrial Revolution 4.0 is the transformation of production and operational system using Internet of Things, Cloud-Computing, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence, the Industrial Revolution 5.0 is predicted to be the era where mankind interacts and collaborates with machines and digital technology.
The progress of Industrial Revolution 5.0 is incremental, and should be considered as the continuous improvement stage of Industrial Revolution 4.0. Why higher stage? The combination between human intelligence and cognitive computing should progress the efficiency, productivity process, and more importantly, make the jobs more meaningful to everyone involved in the process.
Therefore, human and machines, will not form a “substitution” relationship. But, instead, human and machines, develop a “supplementary” form, as the technology should better the quality of product and service.
The central point which we can expect from Industrial Revolution 5.0 is the presence of “sensitivity to human needs” and “human touch and signature” in the product and service as well as the operational process.
One keyword in the discourse of Industrial Revolution 5.0 is “collaborative robots” or “cobot” which is applied to optimize the operational process, yet, make it safer for human beings to work and that humans can focus on more strategic issues, instead of the repetitive tasks.
Amazon is one of the leading examples of enterprise which intensively applies robots into its system. Other example is Lowe which uses LoweBot to respond to simple customer’s questions. As robots will occupy larger opportunities in the workplace, the market research by Myria Research confirmed that the role of Chief Robotics Officer will be more significant, and growing more rapidly. The CRO must ensure the synergy between human beings and robots to assure the quality of both the process and output.
The presence of robotics era will probably lure the start-up to create new type of applications which is based on robotic solutions.
Based on what is happening recently, maybe the Industrial Revolution 5.0, is already here. In the presence of era, the new intelligence, the new mindset is ready.
Now the question is, are we ready?
By Lina.R
The author is a student of Master Degree program enrolled in MM-Tech of President University
[1] Özdemir, Vural and Hekim, Nezih (2018). Birth of Industry 5.0: Making Sense of Big Data with Artificial Intelligence, “The Internet of Things” and Next-Generation Technology Policy. Published in Omics: A Journal Of Integrative Biology · January 2018.