Gearing up for a smarter future 5.0

As the hype around Industry 4.0 begins to transform into actions the next step in industrial revolution will soon be on our doorstep. Arguably, a game-changer for industrial processes, Industry 5.0 brings further cooperation between human beings and machines. It is thought to revolutionize how manufacturers can optimize their processes in real-time, leading to lower costs, improved quality and future-proofed production systems. Regardless what the exact characteristics of the future will be, reliable, accurate and smart measurements remain as a foundation for sustainable and successful industries.

As a part of the latest wave of the Automation Revolution – Industry 4.0 – machines utilize wireless connectivity and smart sensors in a system that automates decisions and provides visualization of the whole process. As a potential downside of systems that are data rich and information poor (DRIP), operators may find it difficult to quickly identify the timely and correct insights that are needed for informed decisions. It is therefore vitally important that such systems are configured correctly. 

Good decisions are based on good data 

All automated systems depend very heavily on reliable sensors. This is where Vaisala’s leading-edge technology steps in with proven levels of accuracy and stability. High-quality decisions are based on high-quality data, which means that sensors must be able to provide accurate, stable readings over long periods, even in challenging and harsh process conditions.

Automation provides opportunities for process optimization, cost reduction, improved product quality, better safety and greater throughput. However, these advantages are more easily achieved when reliable, smart field devices are employed to monitor process conditions.

Any errors or faults in monitoring systems can lead to resource or product wastage and even costly plant shutdown. Users of smart devices should therefore consider the life costs of their equipment: whilst the purchase price is an important issue, the ongoing costs associated with excessive maintenance or calibration and even failure can substantially outweigh the initial cost.

The improved visibility provided by smart systems can benefit stakeholders across an entire facility. However, this real-time data can also be made available to other stakeholders around the world; facilitating benchmarking in production efficiency and opening doors to other operational efficiencies by sharing data with suppliers. Similarly, customers can be kept informed of every step in the production process including the delivery of finished products.

Providing smart measurements for smart industries

The implementation of smart processes can transform the business. It offers companies major opportunities to create competitive advantage in the market, by utilizing the broad range of benefits and opportunities of Industry 4.0, involving the integration of smart, connected, and autonomous digital and physical technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics, along with big data capture and analytics.  

Looking further ahead, the concept behind the Fifth Industrial Revolution, Industry 5.0, is discussed to be the combination of human creativity with the speed, productivity and consistency of robots. Industry 5.0 could enable enhanced cooperation between robotics and human beings by combining their different strengths, in order to create a more inclusive and human-centered future. 

Industry 5.0 is also envisaged to enable mass personalization in manufacture, helping to reduce waste and create a circular society. A worker within a manufacturing cell would become more involved in the design rather than the actual manufacturing process, which would be mostly automated. This facilitates both freedom of design to work with customers and to create products that are more bespoke and personal, and frees human talent for tasks where creativity is needed more.

Typically, smart equipment employs some form of intelligence and is usually connected to other devices or networks, and can operate interactively and even autonomously. Smart devices also offer remote access for configuration, operation, service and analytics, and some devices employ artificial intelligence.

Nobody yet knows exactly what the future will hold in regards to Industry 5.0, but we are curious and always at the forefront in exploring new possibilities and visions. We believe that reliable, high quality data remain at the core of Industry 5.0. Smart factories will not run by themselves, but rely on human involvement. Decisions end up being only as good as the data they are based on, hence accurate measurements are needed for optimized processes. Vaisala excels in these measurements, providing customers with the best insights into their own processes, enabling the best decisions for their needs now, and in the smart future. 

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