Industry 4.0 group looking to expand influence

Platform Industrie 4.0 is looking to broaden the understanding that Industry 4.0 needs to be understood as a project for society. The group is planning to create close alliances with various associations in the public and private sector, as well as with the general populous, to bring greater awareness of what the digital economy can do for Germany.

By Chris Vavra July 22, 2015

Platform Industrie 4.0 seeks to continue the German government’s strategy to bring associations from the automation, information technology (IT), and community technology sectors as well as the mechanical and plant engineering sectors. Industry 4.0 represents the fourth industrial revolution with the use of cyber-physical systems. The goal of Industry 4.0 is to facilitate the emergence of the intelligent factory, characterized by adaptability, resource efficiency, ergonomics, and integration of customers and business partners in business and value processes. It was adopted in the Action Plan for "High-Tech Strategy 2020" in November 2011 by the German federal government.

In its presentation "Platform Industrie 4.0: Industry Innovation meets Politics," the group explains that it wants to broaden the understanding that Industry 4.0 needs to be understand as a project for society and that it needs to be implemented immediately to expand the digital economy. The organization also seeks to create close alliances with the private sector, trade unions, academia, and politics through the message that Industry 4.0 is beneficial for everyone.

The group aims to serve as a moderator and catalyst for the exchange of information among various groups. In addition, it plans to initiate further alliances and projects that will develop Industry 4.0 further as well as enhanced international cooperation. In addition to expanding the group, Platform Industrie 4.0 is looking to remain consistent in its message to the public and build society’s acceptance of a concept that remains largely unknown to the general public.

Platform Industrie 4.0 outlined five specific goals it hopes to achieve:

  1. Focus on the needs of businesses and of end users
  2. Create a central point of contact (for international partnerships and alliances)

  3. Ensure acceptance through high transparency and participation

  4. Develop a common language, objective, and key messages
  5. Establish clear structures and reliable processes for the day-to-day work of the platform.

Keeping thematic priorities as well as political and public visibility closely integrated is a major priority for the group as Hannover Messe 2016 approaches.

Five working groups are: 1) Reference Architectures, Norms and Standardization with chair Dr. Peter Adolphs, Pepperl+ Fuchs; 2) Research and Innovation, with chair Johannes Diemer, Hewlett Packard; 3) Security of Interconnected Systems, with chair Michael Sandner, Volkswagen AG; 4) Legal Framework, with chair Dr. Hans-Jürgen Schlinkert, ThyssenKrupp; 5) Employment, Apprenticeships and Life-Long Learning with chair Dr. Constanze, KurzIG Metall.

– Chris Vavra is production editor, Control Engineering, CFE Media, cvavra@cfemedia.com.

ONLINE extra

Learn more about Platform Industrie 4.0 at:

https://www.plattform-i40.de/ 

CFE Media is hosting a webcast series on Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Learn more here.

– See additional stories about Industry 4.0 below.


Author Bio: Chris Vavra is web content manager for CFE Media and Technology.