24 Sep

Industry 4.0

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Contents

• Background
• Difference between 3rd and 4th Industrial revolution
• Need of Industry 4.0
• Key Initiatives by India

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Background

The First Industrial Revolution used water and steam power to mechanize production.

The Second used electric power to create mass production.

The Third used electronics and information technology to automate production.

Now a Fourth Industrial Revolution is building on the Third. It is characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres.

• It is characterized by integration of advanced technologies such as AI, IOT, Robotics, big data, and more into various industries and aspects of society.
• It combines Machine to Machine Communication, Industrial Big Data Analytics technology, cyber security, and automation. It’s driving new levels of efficiency and productivity.

Three reasons why 4^th IR is not merely a prolongation of the 3^rd IR, but rather the arrival of a Fourth and distinct one: Velocity, Scope and Systems impact.

• The speed of current breakthroughs has no historical precedent. The 4^th Industrial Revolution is evolving at an exponential rather than a linear pace.
• It is disrupting almost every industry in the country.
• The breadth and depth of these changes herald the transformation of entire systems of production, management, and governance.

Need of Industry 4.0:

• Impetus to next surge of growth
• Harness the potential of Big Data, AI etc in every field.
• Improve governance by using new age tech.

Key initiatives by India:

• Centre for the fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) – India, Mumbai to exchange ideas in partnership with NITI Aayog and WEF.
• AICTE and several sector skill councils framed for National Policies on Indutry 4.0.
• Smart Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Transformation Hub (SAMARTH) – Udyog Bharat – an Industry 4.0 initiative by Ministry of Heavy Industry

Way Forward for India

• Framing of Guidelines -> Currently India lacks an official set of guidelines on the use and spread of IoT technology. This is required to help India achieve its full potential in IoT.
• Promote Exploration of IoT by more financial allocation to this sector. The impact of IoT is going to be huge and it’s important that India should be ready for it.
• Strengthening Cyber Security Framework -> with IoT will come increased vulnerability of various sectors. The chances of cyber-terrorism or cyber warfare will increase. And therefore, India needs to strengthen its cyber-security framework to ensure that that IoT’s positives are enhanced, and limitations are reduced.