What are advantages of smart factories?

I've recently published the following article in the Korea Times.

And how do you feel about smart factories? Please be as specific as possible when expressing your comments.

What are advantages of smart factories?

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2021/12/137_320701.html

Humanity has come a long way from its earliest traces of civilization. Through industrialization, advancement has been brought to the world like never before. The introduction of human labor and later on machines were heightened to a great emphasis, being the main fuel of the economy. Manufacturing became a core concept in terms of civilization during the height of capitalism; a necessity in providing for the needs of citizens in terms of products, services and jobs among others. It is probably right to say that humanity's current habits revolve around the whims and ways of capitalism. Despite the fact that humanity has highly benefited from different stages of industrialization, it has also revealed how it can be perilous and detrimental to citizens throughout the years in different aspects. One of the dangers that capitalism and intensive labor pose toward workers would be the tendency of burnout from excessive and inhumane workloads. Burnout can also come from repetitive tasks, whereas humans are naturally inclined to look for new things to explore and experience from time to time. More so, labor workers also frequently encounter the risks of unjust labor treatment, particularly in relation to wages, benefits and regulations. Amid the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) technology during the current Industrial Revolution (IR), the same issues regarding the negative sides of labor and capitalism maintain their prevalence. This is where the idea of smart factories enters. In the simplest sense, a smart factory is a manufacturing site wherein the traditional workload is combined with smart machinery powered by huge data and technological systems. Smart factories are factories that are highly improved, innovated, and advanced, branching out as a contribution of IR 4.0. One of the great benefits that smart factories introduce would be the ability to shorten the duration and costs of operations in manufacturing. This is because it is highly flexible in adapting with the usual processes that happen in the factory through the means of storage and analysis of huge data. In doing so, the manufacturing processes became more efficient and effective, lessening the workload that employees are usually tasked with. A smart factory provides for the reduction of manufacturing process times and costs by adapting and optimizing operations as well as storing and analyzing vast amounts of data in real time. This leads to a more flexible, efficient, and autonomous production by encouraging workers to focus on improving processes rather than on mundane jobs, resulting in high value. Smart factories gradually gear up society for IR 5.0, with the goal of creating a people-centered economy rather than a task-centric economy. As smart factories aim to lessen the workloads of human workers, it allows them to have more time for other fundamental things that comprise their lives, other than their jobs and careers. Smart factories give hope for individuals to have more time for recreation and leisure, as well as time spent with family, friends, and meeting new individuals instead of working for eight hours straight. A smart factory strategy does not equate to a total replacement and retrenchment of employees with machines. Rather, it would employ the fusion of the work and effort of both humans and smart technology-powered machines. It adapts a system that is highly-digitalized wherein real-time data is optimized. Smart machines or smart robots can be programmed with repetitive and routine tasks that are usually compiled by the human workforce. Simply put, it brings forth a workplace and lifestyle for individuals that is both sustainable and humane. It is well known that the height of capitalism involves intense competition within and outside of firms and companies. With that being said, the utilization of smart factories and artificial intelligence allows the opportunity for robots to be those involved in the competitions instead of relying on humans. This can be done in the way that smart robots will be mainly responsible for the heavy processes done during production. Thus, they will be liable for the quality of the manufactured goods which are the foundation of a company's competency compared to other companies. In turn, this would relieve the human workforce from the added pressure that is embedded in the production process for the obvious reasons that they are held responsible for the product quality and output. Through smart robots, quality products and their output can be made, which will be the basis for the reputation of the company's name. External influences such as the macroeconomy and the pressure it places on a firm and its employees can play a significant role in fostering a toxic workplace. Smart factories give us a chance to save humanity and society by providing a realistic, attainable and considerate alternative for the people. Such an approach would provide the steps for a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle for humans in terms of realigning their relationship with work. Lastly, it promotes a society that looks out for the well-being of its citizens, instead of looking at them as mere workers. Rushan Ziatdinov ([email protected]) is a professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Keimyung University, Daegu.