At a time when automation and robotics seem to be emerging as the pillars of industrial transformation, a new era is dawning. Industry 5.0, the fifth industrial revolution, transcends the limits of technology by putting people at the heart of the production process. It marks the beginning of a new era in which innovation, sustainability and resilience are the driving forces of industrial production.  Since the term “Industry 4.0” was introduced in 2011, the industrial landscape has undergone major changes thanks to digitalisation, data analysis and automation.

Beyond technology: human-machine symbiosis

However, Industry 5.0 goes beyond these technological advances by putting collaboration between humans and machines at the forefront. This new stage of the industrial revolution aims to improve workers’ quality of life while optimising production processes through technology.  The European Union is tackling the subject head-on and has redefined the 3 pillars of the industry of the future towards the fifth industrial revolution: a human-centred industry, resilience and environmental sustainability.

Resilience, initially driven by the COVID-19 crisis, has been boosted by the new economic crisis, itself directly linked in cause and effect to the war in Ukraine.  To limit its dependence on energy-producing countries and producers of goods and services, Europe is beginning its reindustrialisation and has started a long process of relocating its manufacturing activities.

Towards more local, green and solidarity-based production

A greener, increasingly decarbonised industry is no longer just an idea, it is now a binding framework, and a must in order to continue operating. Producing closer to home, producing together to produce better, seems to be the EU’s leitmotif, and each of its member states is now on board.

This European primacy has also become necessary in terms of competitiveness against its most serious competitors in North America, or in Asia-Pacific where the rise in power is much faster than elsewhere.

Technology serving people: a new balance

On the technology front, the solutions provided by European manufacturers are heading in the right direction, with cutting-edge, innovative technologies and investment funds ready to massively support the industry of the future.  Humans, who were almost relegated to a secondary role behind robotics, mechanics and so-called smart industry, are regaining their rights and their ability to produce as well, in full symbiosis with technology. Indeed, human emotional and cognitive capacity is essential for the industry of the future to run brilliantly. People are now at the centre of activity.

An interconnected, agile and intelligent industry

Also, support and safety tools within industries have been strengthened to ensure optimal safety and allow people to handle high-value-added tasks with as little hardship as possible. Real-time interconnection of stakeholders (suppliers, manufacturers, partners…) enables instant collaboration and greater responsiveness thanks to technologies such as IoT, AI and blockchain. This optimised synchronisation fosters more agile, sustainable and personalised production, meeting the demands of an industry centred on people and efficiency. Investments and training bodies are under way to make sure the workforce is there in the coming years to meet these profound paradigm shifts.

However, the challenges of the industry of the future are numerous.

Challenges ahead: sustainability and cybersecurity in focus

Challenges linked to environmental sustainability are being taken seriously by Europe and the new legislation will be binding for manufacturers, who will sometimes need to pivot in the way they operate, produce, buy and sell.  Challenges linked to the cybersecurity of production sites and factories, as well as smart technologies, are multiplying as technologies evolve and in the face of the exponential growth of connected objects integrated into production processes.

Laurent Thomas, Deputy CEO, Numeryx France

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People, Resilience and Sustainability: the three pillars of Industry 5.0