Mike Lomax, electrification manager at Bosch Rexroth, has identified several developments that are causing an exponential growth in the exploration of Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The backbone of Industry 4.0 is connectivity between the human and machine thanks to real-time data and machine intelligence. As Lomax explains: “Reaching Industry 4.0 has been a technical possibility for some while now, but it is now being brought within reach of a broader range of manufacturers, even those working from longer-established facilities.
“Aspects such as internet availability, software and hardware usability, GPS localisation, computing power and data storage options are all now much greater than ever before. However, what is making the real difference now is the growth in the availability of new and cost-effective technologies aimed specifically at extracting the true value of the IoT for manufacturers.”
Lomax’s comments come despite a recent report by SAP suggesting that only around 20% of UK companies have a strategy for it in place. “While a recent SAP report suggests minimal uptake in this area, our own experience is very different,” Lomax countered. “In fact, it is an area where we are seeing increased engagement from OEMs keen to discover how these specialist technologies can be harnessed to add value on existing machinery models and transform them into full Industry 4.0 compliant options.”
