Industry 4

Industry 4.0 is a name applied to the trend in automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. It includes cyber-physical systems, the Internet of things, cloud computing and cognitive computing. Industry 4.0 creates what has been called a “smart factory”.

Industry4 represents both opportunities and threats, the most pressing concern is the knowledge gap for both manufacturers themselves and general public who may incorrectly believe that industry4 will mean an end to jobs in the sector and thus undo the good work people like Made in the Midlands and Made in Yorkshire have done to transform the perception of industry.

To help steer the conversation Made in the Midlands initially created an Industry4 advisory board with the purpose of debating indusry4 issues and transferring this insight to the Made in manufacturing community.

Members of the advisory board also suggested the Government White Paper and Green Paper on industrial strategy appeared to lack recognition of ‘AI’ as an industry in its own right.

Members explored the possibility of a white paper that simplified the requirements of Industry 4.0 and whether this would be useful to MIM members.
The board agreed to work towards the production of a white paper or roadmap that simplified the frames of reference for Industry 4,0 and outlined how members would need to proceed in order for the successful adoption of the new technology
That the mission statement should be redefined as applicable to the whole membership – with areas such as AI and autonomous vehicles not immediately relevant
To seek an industry expert to talk to members about the successful adoption of Industry 4.0 at a large company.