02 Nov 2018 ‘Industry 4.0’ and Industrial Transformation ASIA-Pacific
We are in the middle of an important and vital transformation in the way we manufacture our goods and that is all brought to us by the digitization of production and manufacturing. This great leap and shift in the way we manufacture are so persuasive and powerful that it was regarded as the start of Industry 4.0. Industry 4.0 represents the transformation in manufacturing that is powerful enough to be considered as the fourth revolution.
To recap, during the first industrial revolution, steam power and water were both mechanized to turn up the assembly lines and make it capable of mass production. During the second industrial revolution, electricity was used to better improve mass production. In the third industrial revolution, computers were used to automate processes and assembly lines. The breakthroughs of the third industrial revolution paved the way for the fourth industrial revolution. Now, automation and computers are enhanced and made more powerful with autonomous and smart systems that are backed up by machine learning and voluminous data.
Then again, despite the massive changes and improvement in the manufacturing industry, some people still regard Industry 4.0 as a plain and downright marketing axiom. It is, therefore, the mission of major industry players, stakeholders, and even governmental agencies to move people’s attention into the true and tangible breakthroughs brought by Industry 4.0. With such a powerful movement going on, taking advantage of its results is something most stakeholders should realize.
Industry 3.0 as a precursor to the full-automation under Industry 4.0
At the onset of Industry 3.0, people were revolting against the idea of using computers to fully-automate the manufacturing processes and assembly lines. For them, this entirely new technology is disruptive instead of being helpful. Now, as we bid goodbye to Industry 3.0 and welcome Industry 4.0, computers will be even made more powerful to communicate and connect with a network or system of other computers to make decisions without the aid of human intervention. Cyber-physical systems and the Internet of Things made this possible.
Industrial Transformation ASIA-Pacific
Being moved with the effects and milestones brought about by the fourth of industrial revolution, a group of major industry players, stakeholders, private corporations, and governmental agencies have gathered and have created a venue that allowed all stakeholders to meet, share ideas, transfer technology and learnings. This event was tagged as the “Industrial Transformation ASIA-Pacific.”
Since technological breakthroughs and advancements are changing and improving the global supply chains, distribution systems, design facilities, production centres, and overall manufacturing processes, it was crucial to gather all stakeholders and to recognize the different business models that are obsolete and non-sustainable. By determining these non-working business models, they originally aimed to launch, gauge, and withstand the changes brought about by Industry 4.0.
To date, different countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia have already started their own independent Industry 4.0 roadmaps that will help them scale and map out their own economic endeavours. On another note, Singapore has also launched the Singapore Smart Industry Readiness Index to assist and guide their own companies launch, gauge, and withstand the changes brought about by Industry 4.0. This includes grants for research & development(r&d) for Singapore companies as well.
During the Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC, the participating countries, agencies, and stakeholders convened and built networks and engaged in knowledge transfer to further equip and scale their businesses’ success.
Who participated?
The organizers of the event put all the stakeholders together in one event to trace and streamline the industrial value chain. Since they intend to provide more room and chances for a thorough global knowledge transfer, network-building, and new business making, they have gathered all the key players in the industrial value chain.
The highlight of the Event
With the use of both online and offline strategies and mechanisms, Industrial Transformation ASIA-Pacific brought a wide array of events specifically designed for multi-industry segment. These are a few of the activities that were put up and incorporated in the event:
“Showcase”: This was a demonstration of the technologies and solutions available under Industry 4.0
“Learning Lab”: The organizers set up a demonstration area to show products, solutions, and applications which were centred around Smart Logistics, Digital Factory, Additive Manufacturing, and Industrial Automation.
“Knowledge Exchange”: These segments of knowledge exchanges included practical approaches, panel discussions, case studies, technology applications, technical applications, business insights, leadership stories, research & development (r&d) from Singapore and other countries that helped bridge the knowledge gap regarding Industry 4.0.
“Learning Journeys”: These were curated and personalized experiences which gave deeper and more in-depth lessons and learning to the participants. Here, participants listened to stories and personal journeys of companies and individuals who already opened their doors to the changes and challenges offered by the fourth industrial revolution.
These are just a few activities that were rolled out during the event. More information about other the stakeholders who participated, the activities ran by the organizes, and the resolution arrived at are already available on the dedicated event website.