The „Internet of Things“ will bring much change – changes to all kinds of industries. Industry 4.0 takes these industries in the digital age. Automation increases productivity, can reduce costs and improve the quality of products.

Affordable and safe products are the result. The manufacturing industry will be turned upside down. Not only will there be new business models, but also some tasks will be covered by industrial robots. Automation drives robots sales. , which lets fear of job loss arise.

Industry 4.0 is a term which describes the connection between industrial production and the modern information and communication technology. This results in the communication between humans and machines and the automation of their cooperation.

The „4.0“ suggest that this trend will introduce a fourth industrial revolution. The first industrial revolution – initiated by the steam engine – resulted in mechanization, followed by mass procution made possible through electricity within the second industrial revolution. The third, digital revolution is subject to electronics and IT whereas robotics and automation are the main drivers of the current forth industrial revolution.

Global sales of industrial robots will rise to 400,000 units sold – doubled in comparison to 2014. In Spain, 3.710 industrial robots were installed in 2015 – 16% more than the previous year. 48.5% of the robots are used in the automotive industry.

Robots will be present in all areas of our life. Recently, an American Burger restaurant, CaliBurger, has announced that within the next two years Flippy – the Burger-robot – will be preparing the burger at least in 50 restaurants. Flippy shows some new technological features: While in the past the typical assembly-line robot had to have the perfectly lined up objects infront of it, Flippy localizes and identifies this himself and also learns from experience. In this context, Flippy can be compared with a self-driven car, which also learns through feedback rounds and will constantly improve. Flippy could also become a chef.

It is undeniable that industrial robots in certain areas will replace some people in the beginning, who will then take over other tasks. Human work is not superfluous. Robots will mainly assist people. They will cooperate and thus accomplish things that neither of them could have done by themselves. It’s possible to create a working environment where traditional concepts of labor and employment will be redefined. Check TradeMachines latest infographic and learn more about Cobots, industrial robots and automation.