Industrial automation has evolved gradually over the past few decades with little change in

market structure. However, the pace of change is accelerating due to technological disruption

as well as major trends such as repositioning, global skilled labour shortages, and environ-

mental, social and governance (ESG).

(Allen Bradley 1746-NO4I Analog Output Module 1746-N041)

Many of today's most advanced manufacturing technologies, such as digital twins, self-learning

robots, and self-programming devices, will become commonplace in the future. These trends

will bring a "software-defined" model to industrial automation.

It is difficult to predict when this new future will arrive. It could come in 15 years, but it could

also come in 5 years, depending on the pace of technological advances and their application in

different industrial sectors. (Siemens 6ES7 331-7KF02-0AB0 Analog Input Card)

Automation users' perspectives. 

94% of users who participated in our survey said that digital solutions are critical to their future

automation efforts. Over the past few years, users' focus has shifted from developing digital

solutions on their own to learning and doing beyond. Currently, 54% of manufacturing com-

panies work with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to develop standardised industrial

IoT platforms. Since 2019, this percentage has increased almost eightfold.

Game-changing technologies. 

Ten key technologies, including soft programmable logic controllers (PLCs),(Allen Bradley

1756-RM2 Redundancy Module 1756RM2) digital twins and unmanned robotics, are shaping

the future of automation. The report describes how these key technologies will fundamentally

change factory operations. It also identifies potential tipping points that could cause these

technologies to take off. For example, advances in connectivity and data exchange protocols

could spur the development of soft PLCs; increasing labour costs will drive the development

of and interest in more robotics that don't require demonstration teaching; and artificial inte-

lligence is a powerful driver behind almost all of the ten key technologies.

There are two possible scenarios. 

There are two scenarios for the future of industrial automation, the main difference being the

speed of technology adoption. The first possibility is that the market develops gradually. But

there could also be a second scenario in which the transition is much faster, and by 2030 both

suppliers and manufacturing plants will have to make significant changes.

Happy New Year 2024,  wishing you a happy and prosperous new year. Vivi (sh_plc@163.com).