The whole buzz around “Industry 4.0” kicked off back in 2011 at the Hannover Trade Exhibition, courtesy of the German government. Picture this: they’re all about fusing together cool new tech like AI, the cloud, cyber-physical systems, and the internet of things to revolutionize how stuff gets made. It’s like they’re trying to create this sweet synergy between humans and machines, and also between different machines themselves. The goal? To ramp up production speed by a solid 30% and make things run smoother, scoring a 25% efficiency boost in the process. They’re really targeting this tech magic solely at the manufacturing game, you know, where everything from making stuff to shipping it out is all wired up through the internet of things. But here’s the thing: every country jumping on this bandwagon is putting its own spin on things. Germany’s leading the pack with its Industry 4.0 strategy, but the USA’s got its “Advanced Manufacturing Partnership,” the UK’s cooking up “UK Industry 2050,” China’s rolling with “Made in China 2025,” France is rocking “New Industrial France,” South Korea’s jazzing it up with “Manufacturing Innovation 3.0,” and Japan’s got this whole “Society 5.0” vibe going on. It’s like a global tech remix, and everyone’s got their own flavor to add to the mix.
Society 5.0 and SGDs?
So, here’s the scoop: they’re not just stopping at revolutionizing manufacturing with Industry 4.0. Nope, they’re taking that whole concept and spreading it across society, dubbing it Society 5.0. The vision? Boosting society’s growth rate and tackling pesky issues like Japan’s aging population head-on, all thanks to tech. But here’s the kicker: there’s not a whole lot of research out there on Society 5.0. Like, seriously, if you check out the Web of Science, you’ll only find a measly 52 studies that even mention the thing. Talk about scarce info! But hey, from what’s been dug up in those few studies, it seems like Society 5.0 is all about aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). So yeah, it’s like they’re using those goals as the building blocks for this whole societal tech revolution.
Some Facts
Alright, check it out: so, how did Germany kick off this whole Industry 4.0 thing? Well, they basically got private companies and universities to team up and work on developing these super cool systems, while the government chipped in with some serious cash for research and development. Fast forward to today, and we’ve got all these slick systems powered by AI, IoT, and cyber-physical tech making waves. Now, here’s the kicker: even countries without top-tier tech can hop on the Industry 4.0 train, as long as they’ve got some cash to splash. Think about it – services like General Electric’s “Industrial Internet,” IBM’s “Industry 4.0,” Cisco’s “Internet of Everything,” and Hitachi’s “Lumada” are up for grabs to bolster infrastructure and companies worldwide. Take Turkey, for example. They’re not sitting back – they teamed up with the World Economic Forum and set up their own fourth Industrial Revolution Center in December 2020, ready to dive headfirst into this tech wave. And they’re not alone – countries everywhere are hustling to plan, budget, and get organized to get their hands on this new production tech alongside Industry 4.0. It’s like a global tech race, and everyone’s eager to get in on the action.
Society 5.0 and Industry 4.0
So, let’s break it down: Industry 4.0 has totally changed the game in business. We’re talking slashed costs, flawless production thanks to AI-driven machines, and getting personalized products to customers right on time. But here’s the thing – if folks aren’t working and bringing in the cash, who’s gonna buy all this cool stuff coming out of these smart factories? That’s where Society 5.0 steps in. Japan’s all about it, prioritizing science, tech, innovation, and those United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to sort out society’s big issues. Society 5.0 is like the superhero version of AI, swooping in to tackle unemployment, poverty, and even air pollution. And get this: it’s not too different from its Industry 4.0 cousin. They’re both rocking similar tech, like AI, cyber-physical systems, big data, IoT, robots, augmented reality, and the cloud. They’re managed by a mix of private biz, universities, and government guidance, but here’s where they diverge: Industry 4.0 is all about industry, while Society 5.0 aims to revamp society as a whole. We’re talking health, poverty, smart agriculture – the works. Now, Industry 4.0’s all about the bottom line, cutting costs and boosting production. But Society 5.0? It’s got its sights set on the bigger picture, tackling everything from sustainable energy to gender equality. And here’s the kicker: while Industry 4.0 has a direct line to some of those UN goals like economic growth and sustainable infrastructure, Society 5.0? It’s got ’em all covered. Talk about a one-stop solution for a better world.
Japan’s 5.0: A Case Study
Here’s the twist: even tech-savvy, high-income countries like Japan are feeling the Society 5.0 vibe. But why? Well, it’s a paradox, really. You see, while countries like the USA, France, China, South Korea, and Italy are jumping on the Industry 4.0 bandwagon, it’s actually putting pressure on Japan. These similar plans from other countries are eating into Japan’s competitive edge on the global stage, making it tougher for Japanese companies to hold their own.
That’s where Society 5.0 comes in clutch – it’s like Japan’s secret weapon for bridging the gap and ensuring economic stability for the long haul. Companies like Panasonic, NEC, Toyota, Fujitsu, and Hitachi are already getting on board, integrating Society 5.0 into their game plans. Now, here’s the kicker: Japan’s got some serious demographic challenges, with a quarter of the population already over 65, and that’s set to hit 40% by 2050. Alongside the aging population, Japan’s facing a slew of other issues, like traffic accidents caused by elderly drivers and the ballooning costs of social insurance.
Enter Society 5.0. It’s not just about tech – it’s about ensuring Japan’s economic balance stays steady, while also delivering sustainable social services. So yeah, when Japan’s looking to the future, Society 5.0 isn’t just an option – it’s a necessity for keeping things running smoothly and setting the stage for a brighter tomorrow.
Written by,
Nameer Urfi
Managing Director - Carbo-X
