Why in News?
- Recently, the World Economic Forum has selected Hyderabad, Telangana to set up its Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR).
- The C4IR Telangana will be an autonomous, non-profit organisation with a thematic focus on life sciences and healthcare.
About Fourth Industrial Revolution-
- It is characterised by the use of technology to blur the boundaries between the digital, physical, and biological worlds, and is driven by data.
- Key technologies involve cloud computing, big data, autonomous robots, cybersecurity, simulation, additive manufacturing, and the internet of things (IoT).
- In 2016, the term 4IR was coined by Klaus Schwab, executive chairperson of the WEF.
- Major Examples of its Application-
- Pacemaker- The pacemaker is a perfect example of the current fourth industrial revolution (4IR).
- The four wireless sensors of the pacemaker monitor vitals like temperature, oxygen levels and the heart’s electrical activity.
- The device then assesses the vitals and decides when to pace the heart and at what rate. Doctors can wirelessly examine the information/data on a tablet or smartphone.
- Xenobots- Xenobots, which are less than a millimetre long (are known to be the first living robot), were formed in 2020 from the stem cells of the African clawed frog and can be programmed using artificial intelligence (AI). It has a reproductive ability showed in October 2021 by a team of US scientists.
- Smart Railway Coaches- In November 2020, the Modern Coach Factory in (Raebareli) Uttar Pradesh, launched smart railway coaches that are fitted with a battery of sensors to give a comfortable experience to passengers.
- The sensors monitor odour levels in toilets, check if the doors are safely closed, escape fire outbreaks and prevent unauthorised travel using CCTV cameras with face recognition capabilities, among other technologies.
Some Challenges Associated with 4IR-
- Job Displacement- As automation and artificial intelligence become prevalent, there is a concern that various jobs will be replaced by machines, leading to a large number of job loss and unemployment.
- Privacy Concern- The increasing connectivity of devices and systems in Industry 4.0 raises the risk of cyber-attacks, which can have considerable consequences for both businesses and individuals.
- Ethical Concerns- As artificial intelligence and automation become more advanced, there are also concerns about ethical issues like accountability, bias, and transparency.
- Lack of Digital Infrastructure- Not all countries have the digital infrastructures for Industry 4.0, give rise to digital divide and uneven economic growth.
Steps need to be taken-
- Coordination- India requires coordinated action. To define a mission for increasing the use of the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the central government can take into consideration a collaborative platform between ministries, state governments, and industry bodies.
- It will need to set up a long-term ecology for professional development.
- Collaboration with like Minded countries- India may collaborate with the US, Germany, and EU.
- Skills and capacity building.
Other Industrial Revolutions-
- First Industrial Revolution (1800s)- It used water and steam power to mechanise production. For instance- Steam engine.
- Second Industrial Revolution (early 1900s)- It used electric power to create mass production. For Example- Electricity.
- Third Industrial Revolution (late 1900s)- It used electronics and information technology to automate production. For Example- Computer and Internet.
SAMARTH Udyog Bharat 4.0-
- (Smart Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Transformation Hub) SAMARTH Udyog Bharat 4.0 project is introduced by Ministry of Heavy Industries.
- Vision- To facilitate and build eco system for propagation of Industry 4.0 set of technologies in every Indian manufacturing by 2025, be it MNC, large, medium or small scale Indian company.