Shifting From Industry 4.0 To Industry 5.0

Industry 4.0 Solution, with its core objective of automation and smart technologies, has changed the manufacturing perspective, allowing companies to maximize their processes, increase their productivity, and improve the quality of their products. But while automation has addressed some challenges, it isn’t the be-all and end-all. According to research, approximately 72% of tasks in a factory’s production line are still done by humans, reiterating that people play an integral role in manufacturing processes.

This is where the concept of Industry 5.0 comes in. It builds on the successes of Industry 4.0 Solutions but with an added focus on the relationship between machines and humans. It is about the unison of humans' working skills and machines' ability to operate with speed and reliability in all activities associated with manufacturing industries.

What Is Industry 5.0?

Industry 5.0 is the next stage of advancement in manufacturing. As opposed to creating “Smart Factories” through automation in Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0 emphasizes humans. To meet the growing needs of product variety, reduced lead times, and increased creativity, manufacturers are employing assistive technologies to combine manual effort with mechanized methods. In this case, machines perform the dull and easy work while humans do the problem-solving, decision-making, and creative thinking.

The Role of Augmentation Technology in Automation

Companies wishing to adopt technologies that enable them to enter the Industry 5.0 space must utilize augmentation capabilities technologies. An example of such technology is Augmented Reality (AR), which already affects the manufacturing sectors. AR, which does not eliminate manual tasks, assists workers by enhancing efficiency, ensuring safety, and improving skills through training.

So, here’s how AR is helping to transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0:

Tackling the Skills Shortage Problem

• In the advanced stage of AR implementation, many industry experts and new technologies are leading to a lack of skilled workforce in the manufacturing industry because older experts are retiring. It is necessary to mention at this point that AR/VR-based training solutions are exciting and can be seamlessly integrated into scale as workers upskill within the firm.

• According to the WEF research data, international organizations implementing AR increase the efficiency of the effectiveness of training by as much as 80% which cuts down on spending and improves the evolution of a workforce.

• When it comes to obtaining places of work with the use of augmentative technologies, such as collaborative robots and exoskeletons, physically impaired employees are able to work safely.

• AR has been changing the industry for decades. It offers improved onboarding for employees where inexperienced staff can follow AR instructions.

Enhancing Worker Safety and Well-being

• Manufacturing is an inherently challenging and physically taxing job, resulting in injuries as well as the deterioration of physical health.

• The weight of heavy lifting or even repetitive motions can be greatly alleviated through the use of exoskeletons and robotic aides.

• Augmented reality assists in accomplishing the tasks reducing the number of mistakes and enhancing ergonomics in the workplace.

Tackling The Pervasive Manufacturing Problems Using Industry 5.0

Moving from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 brings solutions to the manufacturing industry problems that have existed for ages:

Addressing The Skill Mismatch

• Challenge: As the manufacturing processes change due to the new technologies, the workforce must quickly acclimatize to changes in ways of working. However, normal training practices are not only time-consuming but also expensive.

• Solution: AR technologies give workers a 3D virtual workspace with contextual instructions helping them complete intricate tasks during the training. This allows the workforce to remain skilled, active and prepared for future advancements.

Sustaining Consistency and Quality – Two Inseparable Twins

• Challenge: Control of consistency and quality in manual processes is always a challenge, especially in industries that are customized to the highest degree.

• Solution: Utilizing AR allows workers to access detailed procedure animations that are linked to the workstation they are operating. With these in place, tasks are likely to be done correctly the first time thus improving product quality.

Enriching Data Capture Towards Better Decision-making

• Problem: Automated systems capture a lot of information; thus, getting actionable insights through the manual processes has been an uphill task.

• Solution: AR-based systems now follow and analyze the cycles such as times, defect logging, and throughput of activities. The data can be quite informative of the operations to facilitate accurate decision-making and process optimisation.

The Role of AR in Industry 5.0

AR is more than just a tool for training and task guidance—it’s a cornerstone technology for Industry 5.0. By combining human and machine capabilities, AR improves efficiency and accuracy on the production line. Enhances collaboration between workers and automated systems. Provides real-time insights to refine processes and address issues proactively.

For example, the AR tool LightGuide captures precise performance data that helps manufacturers pinpoint where they are losing energy and wasteful efficiencies. This kind of visibility helps companies make informed decisions that benefit not just workers, but the company itself.

A Human-Centric Future

Industry 5.0 is all about approaching a human-centric world, where the people and the machines work together to create smarter and more agile factories. This is achieved by paying attention to the wellness of the workforce, skill development, and safety at the workplace.

This new era of manufacturing doesn't just benefit businesses but also enhances employee satisfaction and retention. Workers feel valued as they take on higher-value roles, while assistive technology integration makes jobs safer, more engaging, and less stressful.

At Automatrix Innovation, we believe the future of manufacturing is in the harmonious synchronization of human ingenuity and advanced technology. Industry 5.0 thus marks a revolutionary step ahead with the capability to use the power of automation and augmentation to unlock new dimensions of productivity, innovation, and engagement of the workforce.

By leveraging solutions such as augmented reality and other forms of assistive technologies, companies can break down the barriers between machines and people, ensuring both high operational efficiency and a more inclusive, safe, and future-ready workplace.

Let Automatrix Innovation help you in this leap from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0. Let's revolutionize manufacturing processes together, empower your workforce, and spearhead sustainable growth in this new era of industrial excellence.