The tireless race of industries in search of technological development is a pertinent subject.
Increasingly, we are seeing the replacement of manual work with work carried out by machines, and, as a result, some needs arise, such as specialized labor or the improvement of technologies to meet industrial demands.
Although this subject contextualizes that the industry's current resources (manually or automatically operated machines, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, for example) overlap the previous work method (manual work), it is interesting to project this perspective into the future as well.
In other words, given the presence of different operating modes used in the market, what can we expect from automation itself in years to come?
Through this question, the subject of today's text is to estimate the 7 biggest automation challenges for the future.
Therefore, from now on, we will enter into an immersion aimed at automation and its effects on the future.
The technology behind today's industry
Despite the rise of autonomous technology and its promising results, automation continues to be the most used technology across industries.
Maybe because it is a more well-known technology and most companies are more conservative? Well, it's a great guess, given that artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are recent things.
Because, if we project this technological occurrence onto a timeline, we can place industrial automation in the center of that line, so that on the left is manual work and, on the right, autonomous operation.
Although automation has existed since the end of the 18th century, during the Industrial Revolution, this technology is not frozen in time. Quite the contrary, automation is inserted alongside artificial intelligence, for example, in studies and projects already in use.
As an example, we can mention the use of various technologies, including automation, in Industry 4.0, which is an approach to manufacturing that integrates advanced technologies to create a more efficient, intelligent and flexible means of production.
In this context, the Industry 4.0 approach does not require that all of the items below are included in a process. However, we list some technologies that are present in the new era of technology.
Internet of Things: known by its abbreviation “IoT”, these are devices connected to the internet that collect and share data in real-time, for remote monitoring and control of processes and equipment;
Big Data and Analytics: tools to process and analyze large volumes of data generated by IoT devices, to obtain important insights into decisions;
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): algorithms that enable process improvement, automation and prediction;
Augmented Reality (AR): technologies that mix the physical world with virtual elements;
Horizontal and Vertical Integration: integration and combination of different hierarchical levels of production and management;
Simulation: modeling and simulation of production processes to predict performance, before their actual implementation;
Cybersecurity: digital security for data protection;
Additive Manufacturing (3D printing): produces complex components efficiently, flexibly, and with little waste;
Cloud computing: allows high processing power and scalable storage;
Automation: automatic system by which mechanisms check the functioning and parameters of the system, acting automatically to correct these parameters without human influence;
Bonus tip: if you are curious to know about the potential of industry 4.0 in practice, then find out how a 4-axis CNC system works. It is a current manufacturing method that involves complex automation focused on machining.
The 7 biggest automation challenges for the future
Through an analysis of what has been added to the current automation concept, we can predict what the future challenges of this technology will be.
Since several of the items mentioned above are still on the rise in the market and automation allows communication and the simultaneous use of several of these technologies, we can admit that, in the near future, the fluidity of automatic systems will be greater.
Anyway, now look at the 7 biggest automation challenges for the future, which are listed below.
1. Jobs and labor market requirements
The reduction in manual labor and the increase in labor specialized in technology is, perhaps, one of the most predictable future events when it comes to technology, whatever it may be.
Thus, one of the challenges of automation in the future will be the demand for multifunctional (technical) labor, which requires diverse knowledge, such as operation, programming and maintenance of equipment and devices used in automation.
On the other hand, the social challenge will be to requalify and prepare people for this new market concept.
2. Cybersecurity
As a consequence of the increase in automatic processes, there is an increase in data storage.
Therefore, cybersecurity is a challenge aimed at automation, given the need to develop and implement robust security systems to protect automated systems against cyber threats.
3. Technology development
It is no surprise that automatic systems must, in the future, be updated and improved, given the development of autonomous systems.
Of course, this is not a competition between technologies. Quite the opposite: with the development of more complete autonomous systems comes the need to develop technology so that they can be paired.
In other words, automatic and autonomous systems must be present in the same system, in order to complement each other.
4. Development of robotics
As automation and robotics go hand in hand with efficiency, safety, and production diversity, it is only fair to mention them in this text.
Nowadays, we already see articulated robotic arms in assemblies, and welding, among other processes. Furthermore, we see that the mechanical flexibility of a system allows automation to be more complex and, therefore, complete.
In this context, over the years and with the development of automation, robotics will also be pressured to develop in favor of manufacturing evolution in general.
5. Technological infrastructure
Limited technological infrastructure, especially in underdeveloped countries, can be a limiting factor for the implementation of technologies such as automation.
In this way, many companies will be thrown down in market competitiveness, which can affect the country's economy due to production inequality and the inability to meet demands.
6. IoT and Cloud Computing
As these are concepts that emerged through the possibility of executing services through communication, in addition to communication between devices and machines (IoT) and cloud computing, we can estimate that this resource will be more required in the future.
Considering that, since the present day, automation is the bridge that stores processes and manages them, the future challenge will be to implement this type of fluid and efficient communication for the most complex industrial processes.
7. Predictive maintenance
Contrary to what many think, predictive maintenance is not operated in the same way as preventive or corrective maintenance.
The ability to predict equipment failures before they occur can significantly improve operational efficiency.
However, the means of predicting failures vary from equipment to equipment, and we have the possibility of using different tools (sensors and devices, for example), simultaneously, to reach a standard.
Believe me, predictive maintenance is a big challenge even today and, therefore, this becomes a challenge for future automation.
Through this text, it is possible to conclude that the future of industrial automation also depends on the development of several factors, which will complement this technology.
For example, although robotics meets a large part of industrial needs through automation, it is notable that the technology can still be improved through intelligent data management.
Finally, we conclude that the future of automation is as promising as it has been, given that, as the years go by and new tools emerge, industrial automation will become increasingly complete.
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