Industry 4.0 is old news. We're already witnessing big data and the internet of things (IoT) ripple through U.S. manufacturing facilities. But, as business owners realize the potential for more analysis, insight and automation, another shift is being discussed. It might leave you feeling breathless again when you've only just caught up to how far manufacturing has come in the last five years or so.
We're talking about Industry 5.0 — the transformation that will place people back at the center of your operations. This considers how workers will use and thrive with the advanced technology spreading across manufacturing sites, from assembly lines and production plants to your offices and training rooms.
So, what is Industry 5.0 in a nutshell? And how can you crack it earlier while other transformations occur?
Prioritizing the human element once more
Cloud technology, AI, wearable devices and other innovations typify Industry 4.0, the shorthand for utilizing mass data collection and automated tools. These revolutions seek to offload more tasks from workers and give them extra information for the work they do perform, basing more decisions on real-time insights.
However, the next global industrial shift will consider how employees can fit alongside the technology they're adopting and continue providing value of their own. Keith Tilley, CEO of Intoware, recently summarized what's ahead in Manufacturing Today:
"Industry 5.0 needs to be about putting people back at the heart of industrial production, empowering employees to work in collaboration with technology that has been designed around the way they think and work."
This means ensuring no-one's left behind on the automation/IoT trail. Rather, it's worth helping workers feel comfortable with the new tools at their disposal and letting their technical skills flourish for greater job satisfaction.
What can you do for seamless adjustment?
There are several ways to begin approaching Industry 5.0, each of which concentrate on the roles that data and robotics may play in a worker's day-to-day activity:
- Ensure that everyone has the appropriate training and learning options. For example, VR tests might suit younger workers, while in-person demonstrations can suit older staff who are used to getting their hands dirty with equipment.
- Don't rush modernization; embrace it a step at a time. This will give workers more confidence in new processes and machinery. When they experience the benefits of AI in one area, for instance, they could be more likely to adapt to others, understanding how workflows will change in the years ahead.
- Gather feedback on whether automation is helping or hindering production. As On Device Solutions mentions, quoting Elon Musk, Tesla has admitted to over-automating tasks on the factory floor. People can still step in and remain more adaptive than dozens of robots with their own unique functionality. There's a real danger of making production more complex than it needs to be. Therefore, it's essential to take your workers' views and experiences into consideration as changes kick in.