In the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, known as Industry 4.0 and marked by smart technologies and manufacturing innovations, the Fifth Industrial Revolution seems to exist at the same time. Introduced by the European Commission in July 2020, Industry 5.0 emphasizes a tech-driven approach that prioritizes societal goals and the well-being of workers.
In a discussion with Stephen Graham, executive vice president of Hexagon Nexus, Machine Design learns that the shift from 4.0, which focuses on automation and efficiency, to 5.0, which seeks to return human workers to the center of industrial processes, is seen as a maturation of the paradigm rather than a complete overhaul.
As the demand for skilled machine design engineers grows, Graham highlights the need for flexibility and collaboration among engineers. The integration of advanced technologies, including AI and robotics, is expected to break down existing silos and foster a more collaborative work environment, Graham says.
He told Machine Design that Hexagon Nexus plays a role in this transition by providing cloud-based platforms that connect various engineering tools for collaboration between disciplines. He says this approach not only boosts productivity but also helps mitigate challenges faced by machine shops in pricing and executing production tasks.
