How can G and IoT support the resilience and adaptability of Industry 4.0 in times of crisis and change?

5G steht für die fünfte Generation der Mobilfunktechnologie, die höhere Geschwindigkeiten, geringe Latenz, höhere Kapazität und Zuverlässigkeit bietet. IoT (Internet der Dinge) bezieht sich auf vernetzte Geräte, die Daten sammeln und austauschen können. 5G und IoT arbeiten zusammen, um eine leistungsfähigere, schnellere und zuverlässigere drahtlose Konnektivität zu bieten, was die Implementierung von IoT in verschiedenen Bereichen, von Smart Cities bis zur industriellen Automatisierung, ermöglicht. Dies ermöglicht fortgeschrittene Anwendungen wie autonome Fahrzeuge, intelligente Städte und Industrie 4.0.

O 5G e a IoT são cruciais para a resiliência e adaptabilidade da Indústria 4.0 em tempos de crise. O 5G fornece alta velocidade e baixa latência, permitindo que dispositivos IoT transmitam dados em tempo real, possibilitando monitoramento contínuo e detecção precoce de falhas. Isso facilita respostas rápidas e manutenção preditiva, reduzindo o tempo de inatividade. A IoT coleta dados valiosos que ajudam na otimização de processos e na tomada de decisões ágeis. Juntas, essas tecnologias viabilizam automação avançada, personalização em massa e gerenciamento remoto, garantindo continuidade operacional mesmo em situações adversas, e permitindo que as indústrias se adaptem rapidamente a mudanças no mercado.

5G will definitelly not succeed in I4.0 because of speed of data transmission. All those expecting it will have a deep disappoinment. Today’s networks are fasr enough already for majority of applications. The massive advantage of 5G is about “slicing” or let’s say “private network”. You will have the change to create your own network being sure in case the neighbour’s network is hacked, yours will not be affected. It will allow a complete isolation of somebody else’s network as today you have with your local wired network what collaterally will increase masively your network resilience and security.

5G und IoT verbessern die Leistung von Industrie 4.0, indem sie Echtzeitüberwachung, Steuerung und Fernwartung ermöglichen. Dies reduziert Verschwendung, minimiert Ausfallzeiten und erleichtert vorausschauende Analysen. Die Kombination ermöglicht auch fortschrittliche Anwendungen wie autonomes Maschinenmanagement, smarte Logistik und eine insgesamt effizientere, flexiblere und vernetztere industrielle Produktion.

Imagine a super-smart factory where machines and robots are like superheroes. 5G is like a lightning-fast network that helps these heroes talk to each other instantly. Now, add IoT, which is like giving them super senses - they can see, hear, and feel what's happening around them. So, when a machine is about to get sick (break down), they know it in advance and fix it before it's a big problem. It's like having superhero teamwork in the factory, making everything work better, faster, and with fewer mistakes. That's how 5G and IoT boost Industry 4.0!

IoT shall bring the device ecosystem needed by various industry verticals like automotive, healthcare, industries and 5G specifically urLLC shall bring the ultra low latency connectivity which shall be required for success industry 4.0 ecosystem to respond, react and take millisecond decisions needed for industry automation and other use cases

5G and IoT significantly enhance Industry 4.0 by providing ultra-fast, low-latency connectivity and seamless device integration, enabling real-time data exchange and advanced automation. Predictive maintenance and enhanced data analytics reduce downtime and optimize operations, while improved flexibility and scalability allow for rapid adaptation to market changes. Real-time supply chain monitoring and enhanced worker safety increase efficiency and productivity. Energy-efficient practices and remote monitoring further contribute to sustainability and operational control. Together, 5G and IoT drive a more intelligent, connected, and responsive industrial ecosystem.

Picture a factory that uses 5G and IoT to revolutionize manufacturing. Machines communicate instantly through 5G, like a team of superheroes. IoT sensors monitor everything, like a factory's heartbeat. When a product is made, it creates a digital twin, an identical virtual version that helps find ways to make it better and faster. Customers can even use augmented reality to see how products will fit into their lives before they're made. This blend of technology fuels innovation, changing how factories operate and create products, making them smarter, more efficient, and customer-focused.

5G und IoT fördern Innovation in Industrie 4.0, indem sie neue Geschäftsmodelle wie Servitization ermöglichen. Sie eröffnen auch Möglichkeiten für fortschrittliche Technologien wie Augmented Reality und digitale Zwillinge, die Kundenerlebnisse verbessern. Darüber hinaus erleichtern 5G und IoT eine breitere Zusammenarbeit und Co-Creation durch Crowdsourcing und Open Innovation. Diese Technologien schaffen ein Umfeld für kreative Ideen und die Entwicklung neuer Produkte und Dienstleistungen.

The integration of 5G and IoT not only streamlines industrial processes but also acts as a enabler for unprecedented innovations. In my experience with the Tech2B platform, we found that these technologies empower SMEs to pivot from traditional business models, making them more agile and responsive to market demands. The concept of digital twins, in particular, has revolutionised predictive maintenance and system optimisation, offering real-time insights that were previously unthinkable.

Industrial IoT enables innovation for machine builders (OEM), improving the desing of the machine, and for the end user that can use machinery data to find insight and information to support decision making on production, maintenance and investment. With a more mature scenario IIoT may enable self-optimizing systems.

5G's ability to support massive device connectivity and IoT's versatility in applications pave the way for innovative solutions in Industry 4.0. This includes the development of smart factories where machines can communicate seamlessly, predictive maintenance using IoT sensors to prevent equipment failures, and the integration of advanced technologies like augmented reality for training and maintenance purposes.

Cutting-edge encryption protocols and network segmentation features, enable the creation of secure and dedicated communication channels customized for individual IoT use cases. To ensure productivity and minimize downtime, operators can manage operations remotely. A strong supply chain is based on accurate, real-time data, which allows SCMs to make informed decisions quicker, improving overall resilience. Increases responsiveness and operational efficiency through reduced latency and ensures real-time decisions are possible without reliance on centralized cloud computing. Data transmission in real-time begins to become feasible, facilitating instant responses to changing conditions on the factory floor.

Im Kontext von Industrie 4.0 haben 5G und das Internet der Dinge (IoT) eine Schlüsselrolle bei der Stärkung der Resilienz eingenommen. Resilienz, als Fähigkeit zur Bewältigung von Schocks und Störungen, ist in dynamischen Umgebungen entscheidend. Während der COVID-19-Pandemie haben sich 5G und IoT als entscheidende Enabler erwiesen. Durch die Ermöglichung flexibler Produktion, die sich an Marktbedingungen anpassen kann, sowie durch die Förderung von Remote-Arbeit, reduzieren sie das Risiko von Unterbrechungen und erhöhen die Sicherheit für Mitarbeiter. Darüber hinaus tragen 5G und IoT durch kontinuierliches Lernen dazu bei, dass Industrie 4.0 agil bleibt und sich den Herausforderungen einer komplexen Welt erfolgreich stellt.

5G & IoT enhance Industry 4.0 resilience by – Real-time Data Analysis - Enabling instant data processing for rapid decision-making. Enhanced Connectivity - Providing robust, uninterrupted connections for critical operations. Remote Monitoring - Allowing for offsite control of machinery, reducing the need for on-site presence. Predictive Maintenance - Using IoT sensors to predict equipment failures before they occur Supply Chain Optimisation - Improving logistics through better tracking & management of resources. Flexible Production - Facilitating quick switches in production lines to adapt to market changes. Disaster Recovery - Ensuring faster system restorations with reliable data backups & network redundancy.

5G’s high-speed, low-latency connectivity and IoT’s data exchange capabilities support Industry 4.0 resilience by enabling real-time decision-making, enhancing performance, and promoting interoperability among devices.

One of the most successful use cases enabled by Tech2B's platform is real-time listing of spare capacity using IoT as enabler. In situations where certain parts of a manufacturing line face disruptions, other businesses can step in, leveraging unused machinery and equipment listed on the platform. This not only ensures continuity but also optimises the utilisation of capex-heavy assets.

the integration of 5G and IoT technologies in a smart manufacturing facility exemplifies adaptability within Industry 4.0. Through real-time data exchange, flexible connectivity, edge computing, scalability, remote management, predictive analytics, and agile supply chains, the facility can swiftly respond to changing market demands and operational requirements, ensuring resilience and competitiveness in today's fast-paced business environment.

5G und das Internet der Dinge (IoT) sind entscheidende Partner für die Anpassungsfähigkeit von Industrie 4.0. Inmitten sich ständig ändernder Umgebungen ermöglichen sie eine evolutionäre Transformation. Durch datengesteuerte Entscheidungsfindung ermöglichen 5G und IoT Industrie 4.0, neue Marktchancen zu erkennen und darauf zu reagieren. Experimente und Prototyping werden erleichtert, was innovative Ideen testbar macht. Zudem ermöglichen 5G und IoT Skalierbarkeit und Modularität, wodurch Industrie 4.0 flexibel auf Veränderungen reagieren kann, indem es seine Fähigkeiten und Ressourcen erweitert und neu konfiguriert.

Connectivity, speed, reliability, and scalability are the essential attributes of 5G and IoT technologies for enabling Industry 4.0. Advanced automation can be implemented, operational efficiency can be improved, and new business models can be developed. Without changing the infrastructure, industries can easily add new IoT devices and expand their network coverage, allowing them to adapt to emerging business needs. Enhances real-time quality control, remote monitoring, and asset tracking, while reducing latency and enabling faster decision-making. Support many devices simultaneously in industrial settings where multiple devices, sensors, and machines constantly communicate.

By leveraging the capabilities of 5G and IoT, Industry 4.0 can achieve greater resilience, real-time insights, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions. This leads to more efficient and responsive industrial processes, ultimately enhancing the overall adaptability of manufacturing and production systems (self-optimizing systems)

IoT and 5G are set to adapt to different situations in the industrial setting. One such adaption is Industrial Safety sensing over 5G, this allows for the IoT Enabled safety devices to communicate via 5G (for a safety system - low latency, high speed and redundancy are key requirements within in interface) and plays an important role.

Even 5G is very much pushed by Telcos in order to have a role into the industrial world, it is not obvious to see the massive benefit versus WiFi on industrial applications. For the vast majority, Wifi is far more than enough and obviously 5G will open new applications for data collection, integration and feedback speed, but at this very moment those kind of applications are not mainstream. Market was not locked or slowed down because networks were not fast enough. So right now, 5G is more a "nice to have" in industrial applications than a real "must".

In herausfordernden Zeiten können 5G und das Internet der Dinge (IoT) die Resilienz und Anpassungsfähigkeit von Industrie 4.0 stärken. Zum Beispiel können Echtzeitdaten durch 5G die Fertigungseffizienz optimieren und schnelle Entscheidungen ermöglichen. IoT-Geräte können in Krisen den Zustand von Anlagen überwachen, frühzeitig Warnungen senden und Ausfälle minimieren. Diese Technologien fördern auch die Flexibilität, da sie die schnelle Anpassung von Produktionsprozessen ermöglichen. Insgesamt tragen sie dazu bei, dass Industrie 4.0 widerstandsfähig und agil bleibt, selbst in turbulenten Zeiten.

Industry 4.0 is far more about people than about technology. The main stopper for Industry 4.0 massive adoption is the resistance of people not used to deal with data as main tool for decission making process (mainly in the floor plant). They try to “protect themselves” keeping their knowledge hidden from digitalization and it is our duty to show them their role “after digitalization”. If there is a way they can see data ass a real helper for their job, they will support and help with proper training, but if there is no role for them afterwards, don’t expect anyone helping you to dig his/her own grave…

It is very important to know that 5G and IoT can contribute to autonomous vehicles which will be adpated for deterministics as well as stochastic road conditions with their adaptive features.

In addition to what some others have rightly exposed in this very article, I do confirm that the vast majority of already possible and meaningful IoT applications for industry 4.0 do not need 5G. My experience is that even NB IoT systems with rather low frequency transmission (one Tx per day) can enlighten huge amounts of industrial fields and applications that today are simply not connected (refrigeration temperature sensing, for instance) and that do not require real-time connectivity to become useful for business related decision making.