Page 21 - trends in automation

Photos: DFKI GmbH
Enormous potential also exists in the
area of logistics. Networked robots will
be able to fetch products from the
shelves. And with smart labels, it will be
possible to track the entire life cycle of a
product – from producer through to
logistics company, retailer, and finally
finishing with the end customer – at any
time. The digital product memory will
make the flow of goods faster and more
reliable.
The fourth industrial revolution
Many experts agree that the economy
is on the cusp of a fourth industrial
revolution, also known as Industry 4.0.
This involves a shift from our current
understanding of production to Internet
based manufacturing, in which the raw
materials incorporate the features of the
future product. Products will control
their own production processes and
unfinished parts will send their
production schedule wirelessly to the
plant – thus becoming active control
components. The intelligent production
of the future will thus significantly
increase the speed of industrial
processes. Workflows will become
more flexible, organise themselves and
arrange changes, maintenance work
and continuous optimisation of their
own accord.
Industry 4.0 promises intelligent
production for maximum flexibility. For
science and the automation industry, the
road to real implementation is a long, but
exciting one. Companies from various
sectors, research institutes and
specialists from a wide range of expert
groups are working together to drive
development forward. But where do
humans stand on the road to intelligent
production? How will our role change in
the future? Quo vadis homo faber – man
the creator? trends in automation will
keep you updated with developments.
The swarm network
Together we are not only stronger,
but also more intelligent. Swarm
intelligence is a perfect example of
this principle in action. Its inspiration
comes from nature, as shown by
shoals of fish, flocks of birds and
colonies of ants. While an individual
ant possesses only a limited amount
of intelligence, ants working
together as a community can deal
with complex challenges with a high
degree of intelligence.
AquaJellies from Festo show how
swarm intelligence can already be
replicated by humans. These artificial,
autonomous jellyfish with an electric
drive unit have an intelligent, adaptive
mechanism that emulates swarming
behaviour. When provided with the
capacity to communicate, a swarm
of AquaJellies can act as a highly
developed, self controlled system.
www.festo.com/en/aquajelly
AquaJellies from Festo: Artificial jellyfish
with swarm intelligence.
Vision of the future for city cars: The EO smart connecting car is extremely
agile, changing its shape and adapting to the current traffic situation.
Issue 23 trends in automation
Impulse 18 – 19