Industry 5.0: human-centric, resilient and sustainable strategy

13Jun

Industry 5.0: human-centric, resilient and sustainable strategy

by Bojana Bajic R&D

Industry 5.0 represents the concept of transition to a human–centric, sustainable, and resilient manufacturing system driven by advanced technologies. However, the greatest potential for innovation in the industry is reflected in the application of advanced digital technologies. The era of advanced digital technologies has been started by the fourth-industrial revolution, better known as Industry 4.0. Many industries expect Industry 4.0 to have a significant impact on their supply chains, manufacturing processes, and business models. Thus, Industry 4.0 is a technological concept offering a promise of enhancement in efficiency through digital connectivity and AI, but reporting a lot of implementation challenges.

This data-driven digital concept has been initiated by advanced technologies, such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Cyber Physical systems (CPS), Industrial Big Data Analytics (IBDA), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud/Fog/Edge computing. However, the technology-centered approach of Industry 4.0 has proved improper since the lack of a human impact in the application of this concept. Therefore, the wave of change has effects that go far beyond technological transformation. Such a transformed industry requires new knowledge and skills of both engineers and workers. Hence, the European Commission adopted an official document presenting Industry 5.0 and emphasizing the main role of the research and innovation sector to support industry in its long-term service to humanity.

But, researchers and practitioners agree that Industry 5.0 should not be understood as a replacement nor an alternative to, but logical continuation, transformation and evolution of the existing Industry 4.0 concept to promote a deep transformation of the economy at the global level emphasizing the digital and green skills Therefore, the concept of Industry 5.0 is not based on technologies, but is centered around values, such as human-centricity, ecological or social benefits. This article presents the shift from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 putting accent on the issue of how to bring humans back to the forefront while maintaining the digital agenda and emphasizing sustainability and resilience with the aim to develop human-centric smart manufacturing systems.

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