Phot
os: DFKI
Gmb
H
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 produc-
tion schedule wirelessly to the plant –
thus becoming active control compo-
nents. 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 con-
tinuous 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 special-
ists 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 com-
plex 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 de-
veloped, 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.
2.2012
trends in automation
Impulse
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