IoT implementation and Industry 4.0 in India

It was then, in 1770, that industry 1.0 started with the innovation of steam and waterpower. We remember this as the rise of the term “Industrial Revolution.” It reminds us of significant transitions in manufacturing and technology from the 17th century to the date. Industrial Revolution denotes a chronology of technological advancements. 

Around the 1970s, a phase of remarkable innovations like automation in manufacturing, computer-driven systems, and the Internet aimed at narrowing human intervention in production lines. This inclining trend toward Information Technology and Digital Technologies acted as the foundation of industry 4.0, a synonym for the Digitalization Era.

The customer-centric approach of Industry 4.0 highlights product visioning, product sales, manufacturing, assembling, and service management. The implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) is critical for Industry 4.0 globally to help manufacturers automate the processes and stay updated with the continually evolving needs of customers. Globally, investments in Industry 4.0 have expanded 10X in the last decade. Significant new investment by countries like the US, UK, China, India, and Brazil is estimated to be $100+ billion by 2025. 

How is IoT Driving Industry 4.0 in India?

Industry 4.0 emphasizes digital technology to a whole new level with the help of interconnectivity between physical and digital space through the Internet of Things (IoT), big data & analytics, cloud, autonomous robots, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and augmented reality, and access to real-time data.

IoT is like the engine oil for driving Industry 4.0 at a tremendous pace in India. Currently, the primary usage of IoT is seen in supply chain management, customer engagement, virtual meetings, etc. Industrial IoT (IIoT) is a subset of IoT, which refers to the technology used in industrial manufacturing. The journey with IoT implementation in Industry 4.0 evolution in India is composed of four significant steps:

1. Connecting to a Common Network: Every industrial asset must be associated with the Internet and cloud systems that would help it to gather and use big data. 
2. Get Insights of Big Data: Remote Monitoring helps access detailed information about an asset's complete lifecycle. 
3. Optimizing Operations and Processes: Expanding core business value by eliminating inefficiencies and reducing costs. 
4. Innovate Next Level: Analyze respective business's competence areas and develop better business models.

The adoption of IoT for industrialization becomes smoother when the Indian domestic market's space, data availability, and affordability are considered. 

According to a case study, more than two-thirds of Indian manufacturers would embrace digital transformation by 2025 to grow India's manufacturing GDP to 25%. 

MSMEs in India form 33% of the manufacturing output and nearly 50% of exports across electrical or equipment, food technology, textile, etc. 

Research shows that the challenges faced by the MSMEs in scaling up Industry 4.0 can be solved by financing digital solutions like SaaS-based and Cloud services to deploy non-core activities. 

Industry 4.0 Adoption in Indian Sectors

FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) with a Cobot: A cobot is a robot that allows for safe human-robot interaction while remaining close to workers. In India, the FMCG industries with limited infrastructure and human resources use cobots to reduce execution time while maximizing energy efficiency.

Telecommunications Industries: For example, Vodafone Business Services offers innovative IoTs communications solutions for various industries, including vehicles, smart cities, health care, and more.

Healthcare Sector: Smart Glucometers are the best illustration of how patients may use the IoT to monitor blood sugar, blood pressure, and other factors to manage their health. 

The Indian industrial sector has begun to pivot to digitalization, thanks to increased investment in fundamental techs such as the cloud and IoT. Despite the fact that certain steps have already been taken, there is still a lot of work to be done. Instead of simply spending more money, the focus should be on expanding the current asset base. Indian industry will benefit from the introduction of smart manufacturing, data analytics, and the Internet of Things.

The article has been written by Amit Singh, CEO and Founder, Teliolabs