Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content
Home
    • Contact Panasonic
    EN
    • EN
    • FR
    EN
    • EN
    • FR
    • Home
    • Trends
    • Connected World
    • Where Industry 4.0 is remaking the factory floor
    Back to Resource Center

    Where Industry 4.0 is remaking the factory floor

    • Contact us
      • Twitter
      • Facebook
      • Linkedin
      • Email

    Where Industry 4.0 is remaking the factory floor

    5 minutes

    Outside Austin, not far from the SXSW venues where fans held up smartphones to capture major music and tech acts, highly skilled workers were monitoring sophisticated equipment to make the brains of smartphones.

    In March, as the music and tech festival spurred new ideas, innovation was also happening nearby at semiconductor factories where robots moved silicon wafers from one machine to another while technicians analyzed performance data to figure out ways to make chips faster, smaller and smarter. And that’s just one example of the evolution of Industry 4.0, the wave of automation and digitization that makes up the fourth industrial revolution.

    Promising production gains

    From dark factories to advanced robotics to augmented reality devices on hard hats, technology is remaking every corner of manufacturing. And the productivity gains are promising: Companies expect productivity to grow over the next half-decade at a rate 7x the growth the industry has seen since 1990, according to research firm CBinsights.

    Factory of the future

    • Predictive Machine Analytics
    • Industrial Augmented Reality
    • IoT Sensors for Supply Chain Management
    • Modular Equipment
    • Computer Vision
    • Cobots
    • Blockchain for Enterprise Resource Planning and Supply Chain Management
    • Unmanned Trucks
    • Wearables

    Already robust, Industry 4.0 network technology, like Bluetooth 5.0 and mesh networks, is connecting production lines and entire factories.

     

    Making sense of sensors

    Meanwhile, sophisticated sensors serve as the eyes and ears on production lines and provide other data to plant managers and workers. They can tell operators how fast a piston is going, and the number of cycles it has completed. In other cases, a sensor gauges the rise or fall of pressure so when a robotic arm lowers to pick up an object, the sensor tells the robot and all the equipment relying on that robot that the object has been retrieved.

    If that pressure sensor stops functioning, that robot stops work. A stalled robot can halt a major production line, and lead to millions in additional cost. Sensors can also help increase asset life cycles across the plant floor. Sensor-equipped machines connect to wireless networks, collect data and alert crews to maintenance needs on their smart phone or tablet, or in a remote location.

    Companies expect productivity to grow over the next half-decade at a rate 7x the growth the industry has seen since 1990, according to research firm CBinsights.

    Smart factories need smart tools

    Smart tools, such as Panasonic’s AccuPulse® radio tools and qualifiers, enable wireless connectivity with existing plant systems to gather important tool operation data. Smart tools also allow managers to make key decisions in real time and change tool settings on the fly to optimize efficiency, increase fastening accuracy, and reduce human error on any application. Data analytics helps production teams gain greater visibility into processes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and optimal asset use.

    Continuous improvement and optimal asset use are key reasons that manufacturing companies are embracing Industry 4.0 and other disruptive technologies. Indeed, a recent survey on disruptive technologies commissioned by Panasonic found that technology leaders and other execs say hesitating is far riskier than adopting disruptive technologies now. Companies surveyed have already adopted, on average, four of the 12 key disruptive technologies. And almost all companies intend to increase their investment in disruptive technologies.

    Disruptive technologies currently adopted

    • Cloud 79%
    • Mobile Devices, Apps & Commerce 72%
    • Robotics 64%
    • Internet of Things 49%
    • Renewable Energy 47%
    • Advanced Materials 45%
    • Energy Storage 32%
    • Artificial Intelligence 23%
    • Autonomous Vehicles 11%

    Unfortunately, the survey results point to hurdles in adopting some of the disruptive technologies that underpin Industry 4.0. Lack of skilled workers is one identified impediment to growth. And it keeps manufacturers from adopting the disruptive technologies that allow companies to stay competitive. Many see lack of skilled employees and lack of expertise for effective implementation as major challenges. The other major challenge: short-term thinking among decision makers.

    In a recent interview with Tech Republic, M. Faisal Pandit - Senior Vice President & Chief Digital Officer of Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America, talked about building a data focused IoT organization and challenges companies face. “It's like data, data everywhere, not knowing what to do.” He says sometimes it can be important to narrow the scope.

    Beyond machines: wearables

    One look at the future of connected technologies, considering the augmented reality (AR) capabilities for projection display goggles for instance, indicates that Industry 4.0 doesn’t end with machines connecting to the factory’s network. AR has the ability to speed up processes through displaying a step-by-step guide of best practices for tasks. In some instances, this type of AR technology could prevent a worker from moving to the next step in a process until the current task is completed properly and with precision.

    From machine connectivity to data collection and automation, Panasonic is deeply engaged in these technologies. We believe that connecting them into integrated solutions is essential to creating entirely new experiences.

    Authors
    John Olson - Group Manager, Panasonic Power Tool Group

    Related Posts

    Recent Research

    How the food service and food retail industries have responded to Covid-19

    Learn how shifting customer preferences have changed business' approach to adopting transformative technologies.

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Sustainable energy

    How EverVolt Makes Your Home More Efficient With or Without Solar

    Solar power and battery storage are increasingly being embraced as a way to lower energy bills and create a more resilient home energy system.
    Learn more
    Integrated Supply Chain

    3 Ways to Leverage Mobile Solutions for Warehousing and Fulfillment

    How mobile solutions support supply chain transformation
    Learn more
    Integrated Supply Chain

    6 Core Competencies for Fleet Management Mobile Deployments

    In order for Fleet Managers to meet their goals, their mobile device deployments need to address six core competencies.
    Learn more
    Sustainable energy

    Building healthier homes to breathe easier

    Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of people already spent 90 per cent of their time indoors, so imagine what that number is now!

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Connected World

    Peace of mind on match day: facial recognition solution at the football stadium

    In the summer of 2019, Panasonic introduced a facial recognition system at a football stadium in Denmark to stop known troublemakers from entering,

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Integrated Supply Chain

    Re-imagining QSR technology in a disrupted industry

    Many quick service restaurants (QSR) have set their sights on utilizing technology to help meet businesses sustainability goals, all the while remaining efficient and profitable.

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Connected World

    Meet the women shaping the way we experience flight

    See how a few of our high-flying women are changing the way thousands of passengers experience flight every day.

    3 minutes

    Learn more
    Sustainable energy

    Good health starts at home

    With North Americans today spending more time inside their homes than ever before, many are taking a second look at their home's health and indoor air quality.

    6 minutes

    Learn more
    Integrated Supply Chain

    Food service and the “new normal”

    Discover how food service and food retail businesses are adjusting for customer expectations in a post-coronavirus world.

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Social Impact

    Resources Recycling Initiatives Transform Product Manufacturing

    Panasonic turns end-of-life home appliances into reusable resources.

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Social Impact

    Sustainable Seafood Project Places the Environment Front and Center

    Panasonic's corporate cafeterias help preserve marine resources for future generations with innovative new menus.

    5 minutes

    Learn more
    Back to Trends

    Talk to our sales team to learn more about Panasonic devices and solutions.

     

    General Information

    Customer Information

    Company Information

    Product Information

    Additional Information

           Yes, I agree to receive information about Panasonic's full suite of product and industry solutions, special offers, events product innovations and new products, whitepapers, research and more. I understand I can withdraw my consent at any time. The information you provide us will be used in accordance with the terms of the Panasonic privacy policy and terms of use.

    Proceed to the following URL for consumer product requests:
    http://help.panasonic.ca/pw/customercare/support/consumeremail.aspx?l=en

    Talk to our support team to get assistance for your Panasonic devices and solutions.

     

    General Information

    Customer Information

    Company Information

    Product Information

    Additional Information

           Yes, I agree to receive information about Panasonic's full suite of product and industry solutions, special offers, events product innovations and new products, whitepapers, research and more. I understand I can withdraw my consent at any time. The information you provide us will be used in accordance with the terms of the Panasonic privacy policy and terms of use.

    Proceed to the following URL for consumer product requests:
    http://help.panasonic.ca/pw/customercare/support/consumeremail.aspx?l=en

    • About Us
    • News
    • Careers
    • Investor Relations
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Contact Us

    Connect with us

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Linkedin
    • Instagram Link
    • Youtube

    Select Country/Language

    • Canada - English
    • Canada - Français
    • United States - English
    © 2021 Panasonic Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
    • Accessibility
    • Panasonic Global
    • Consumer
    • Industrial
    Reviewed by Accessible 360