Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) – The inevitable transformation
- The era of digitalisation and technological transformation has fundamentally changed the way we live and work. Likewise, global manufacturing landscape also witnessed rapid revolution shifts in production and processes through the application of advanced digitalisation, advanced manufacturing technologies and efficient resource utilization.
- The First Industrial Revolution started with the advent of steam and water power, enabling mechanisation of production processes, while the Second Industrial Revolution was driven by electric power and mass manufacturing techniques. Information technology and automation brought in the Third Industrial Revolution.
- The Fourth Industrial Revolution is exploding on the back of a range of technologies that are blurring the distinction among physical, digital and biological spaces.
- Industry 4.0 transforms how products are designed, fabricated, used and operated as well as how they are maintained and serviced. It will also transform the operations, processes, supply chain management and energy footprint of factories.
Malaysia’s National Policy on Industry 4.0
- The Ministry of International Trade and Industry has developed the National Policy on Industry 4.0 aims at transforming the Malaysian manufacturing industry and its related services to be smart, systematic and resilient.
- The goal for the future of manufacturing industry is not only to “make better things” by creating innovative products and services, but also to “make things better” by improving design, engineering, service planning and execution, management and production processes.
- The overarching philosophy behind this Policy is A-C-T - Attract, Create and Transform:
- Attract stakeholders to Industry 4.0 technologies & processes;
- Create the right ecosystem for Industry 4.0 technologies to be adopted and to nurture innovations; and
- Transform capabilities of the manufacturing industry to be Industry 4.0-ready.
