The utilization of robots in manufacturing is nothing new; manufacturers in many industries have long used them to tackle complex assignments. But, they are evolving for even greater utility; with the recent advancements, robots are becoming more autonomous, flexible and co-operative with the ability to tackle complex as well as common mundane tasks.

In the engineering phase, 3D simulations of products, materials, and production processes are already used. But now, they are starting to be used more extensively in plant operations as well. These will leverage real-time data to mirror the physical world in a virtual model.

Additive manufacturing builds from the ground up in order to build a precision part. Companies have just begun to adopt additive manufacturing; which they use mostly to prototype and produce individual components.

Augmented reality is going to play an important role in Industry 4.0, because it can help us provide visual, real-time information to the right person at the right place and in the right time. These technologies will provide more flexibility, adaptability, improvement and competitiveness of the human factor and continuous improvement.

With IoT, more devices; sometimes including even unfinished products; will be enriched with embedded computing and connected using standard technologies. It incorporates machines learning, big data technology, sensors data, machine to machine communication, and automation technologies. This allows field devices to communicate and interact both with one another and with more centralized controllers, as necessary.

With horizontal and vertical system integration, information and knowledge will be able to travel seamlessly through the entire supply chain and enhance collaboration efforts between R&D and production as well as customers and suppliers.