Applied Sciences

The Industry 4.0 paradigm has been characterized by greater connectivity between networks of digitalized manufacturing systems. The application of enabling technologies, including automation and cyber-physical systems, has supported smart manufacturing and decentralized decision making. The implications of Industry 4.0 technologies are significant, leading to reduced production time and cost, while improving product quality. The challenges include how to analyze, exchange, and securely manage the vast amounts of data generated between manufacturing systems. These challenges have spurred growth in research areas including additive manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, collaborative robotics, digital manufacturing, Internet of Things, machine learning, Big Data analytics, virtual and augmented reality, as well as many others.