Connected machines
Present situation worldwide and in Switzerland
The term “connected machines” covers scientific and industrial endeavours aiming for the continuous and comprehensive digitalisation of industrial firms by unifying data flows across various positions/operations. This form of seamless inter-machine communication creates wholly new possibilities for optimisation in industrial planning, with substantial improvements in overall process transparency. It is therefore likely that this trend will steadily gain ground in coming years. Next to their positive aspects, smart connected machines also give rise to some major challenges: increased process flexibility often goes hand in hand with heightened complexity. Integrating sensors and actuators raises investment costs and maintenance requirements. Adequately trained personnel must be available to service installations. Installations of this kind must therefore bring considerable added value. Consequently, not all processes will prove suitable. This may be one reason the use of connected machines has up to now spread rather haltingly, with the exception of automation and robotisation in manufacturing.
Implications for Switzerland
The example of automobiles, fitted with ever more assistance systems, illustrates the development of digitalisation: today already, a car with no integrated navigation system has become almost unthinkable. Soon, a car’s standard equipment will include autonomous systems. However, the example of the automotive industry also shows just how complex and costly the development of such systems can be. General machine construction will follow the same path, with added value for users as the main driver. New studies published in Germany on implemented industry 4.0 projects show in part only limited increases in productivity. This suggests that what is technically feasible is not always also technically sensible. Assessing the advisable degree of digitalisation must therefore occur on a case-by-case basis. In order to master the new challenges of connected machines, firms with different areas of competence are likely to enter into strategic partnerships. Many of the initial schemes are now being supported in the context of EU projects. Swiss SMEs would therefore do well to take an active part in these emerging networks. In order to achieve the necessary critical mass, industry-wide cooperation is needed to carry out pilot projects involving all components.