Intelligent and Sustainable Engineering Systems for Industry 4.0 and Beyond

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Industry 4.0, aims to significantly improve the flexibility, versatility, usability and efficiency of future smart factories. However, the concept of Industry 4.0 is not only limited to the factory but also encompasses the entire life cycle of the product, that is, from production and suppliers, to end users. Industry 4.0 delivers seamless vertical and horizontal integration down the entire value chain and across all layers of the automation pyramid.

Industry 4.0 has its roots in a project for the high-tech strategy of the German Government back in 2011, which led to the progression of cyber-physical systems into cyber-physical production systems (CPPS). CPPS can make intelligent decisions through real-time communication and cooperation between manufacturing entities. Smart Factory, which is based on CPPS and artificial intelligence (AI), is one of the key associated initiatives of Industry 4.0. This enables flexible production of high-quality personalized products with mass efficiency. Another important aspect of Industry 4.0 is sustainable engineering systems that can help make its processes align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Sustainable and intelligent engineering systems such as 5G, Industrial IoT, robotics and automation, renewable energy, logistics and even intelligent waste management can be the main enablers of Industry 4.0.

This is a multidisciplinary book and is meant for anyone with a basic engineering background interested in acquiring a solid foundation in the fundamental concepts and state-of-the-art research trends in Industry 4.0. It explores the application of AI and machine learning as well as sustainable engineering systems, which can be the main drivers for Industry 4.0 and beyond and have a significant impact on the UN SDGs.