Q1: Who first proposed the Industrial Internet of Things?
General Electric (GE).
As early as the end of 2012, General Electric proposed that industrial equipment should be integrated with IT technology.
In 2013, General Electric officially introduced the concept of the Industrial Internet of Things revolution. This was also the first time the Industrial Internet of Things was formally proposed.
Jeffrey R. Immelt, Chairman and CEO of General Electric, said: ‘An open, global network will connect people, data, and machines.’
In 2014, General Electric (GE), ATu0026amp; T, Cisco, IBM, and Intel, these five giant companies, announced the establishment of the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) in the United States.u0022
Q2: Is the Industrial Internet of Things the same as Industry 4.0?
Essentially, they can be understood as different expressions of the same concept.
Industry 4.0 was proposed by the Germans.
In the early 21st century, the world experienced multiple financial crises, and economies worldwide were severely affected.
Especially, the high-tech industry, which was highly favored by the capital markets, suffered the most significant bubble burst. Conversely, the industrial and manufacturing sectors showed resilience during the crises.
As a result, countries began to pay renewed attention to industrial manufacturing.
In this context, Germany officially launched the Industry 4.0 strategy at the Hanover Industrial Fair in April 2013. Its primary aim was to enhance Germany’s industrial competitiveness, solidify its leading position, and seize the initiative in the new industrial revolution.
It can be seen that the Industrial Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 were proposed almost simultaneously, both aiming for a comprehensive upgrade and transformation of the industry to address future challenges.
Q3: Is the Industrial Internet of Things the same as the Fourth Industrial Revolution?
No, it is not.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution revolves around technological breakthroughs such as graphene, genetics, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, controlled nuclear fusion, clean energy, and biotechnology.
In contrast, the Industrial Internet of Things involves upgrading the structure and model of the existing industrial system. It integrates industrial systems with computing, analysis, sensing, and connectivity technologies, ultimately leading to close connections between raw materials, equipment, workers, production lines, suppliers, channels, and even customers.
The Industrial Internet of Things may incorporate technologies from branches related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as artificial intelligence.
Q4: What is the relationship between the Industrial Internet of Things and the Industrial Internet?
‘Industrial Internet’, The word ‘Industrial’ encompasses both the industrial and industrial sectors.
Currently, there is some controversy within the industry regarding the understanding of the Industrial Internet.
According to experts in the field: the Internet includes the Consumer Internet and the Industrial Internet. In a broad sense, the Industrial Internet (what people commonly refer to) is essentially the Industrial Internet.
However, in a narrower sense, the Industrial Internet is, upon closer examination, just one branch of the Industrial Internet.
At the national and governmental levels, the primary term used is ‘Industrial Internet’ (even the regulatory department is referred to as the ‘Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’). However, in practice, it leans more toward the broader interpretation.
In any case, the Industrial Internet has close ties with various industries and is not limited solely to industrial sectors.
Q5: Is the Industrial Internet just ‘Industry + Internet’?
Not exactly.
On one hand, the Industrial Internet does not exclusively refer to industry. On the other hand, it’s not as simple as just getting industries online.
The Industrial Internet represents the digitalization, informatization, and intelligent transformation of entire industries.
It begins by connecting (communicating) technologies to link all elements and resources throughout the industrial production process. Then, it utilizes computing technologies to store, process, and analyze data, extracting its value. This optimization of production processes, along with addressing weak links, leads to increased efficiency, productivity, cost reduction, and profit growth.
To be precise, the Industrial Internet is the result of the combination of the ‘Industrial Technological Revolution’ and ‘ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Revolution,’ rather than just ‘Industry + Internet’.
Q6: In the context of the Industrial Internet, you often come across the term ‘OT.’ What does OT stand for?
As mentioned earlier, the Industrial Internet is a fusion of industrial technology and information and communication technology.
Information and Communication Technology consists of IT and CT. IT stands for Information Technology, and CT stands for Communication Technology.
Now, OT stands for Operational Technology, and it is often translated as ‘operational technology.’ However, some do not fully endorse the translation as ‘operational technology’ and prefer to translate it as ‘operational technology.’
In essence, OT refers to the industrial environments and equipment found in factory workshops. This includes machinery, sensors, instruments, monitoring systems, control systems, and more.
The Industrial Internet represents the comprehensive integration and upgrade of IT, CT, and OT. It functions as a network, a platform, and a system, achieving ubiquitous connectivity and integration of all elements in the industrial production process.
Q7: What is the relationship between the Industrial Internet and Edge Computing?
In the context of the Industrial Internet, there are two specific network requirements: high reliability and low latency (or deterministic latency).
The evolution of industrial automation technology has led to significantly higher operating speeds and precision of industrial equipment. If the network cannot provide low latency, it cannot meet the requirements of many industrial scenarios.
To reduce latency, the Industrial Internet has adopted Edge Computing.
Edge computing involves bringing a portion of cloud computing, which is typically distant in the cloud, closer to the factory or workshop (closer to the endpoints). By doing so, it reduces the distance between the endpoint and the computing power, thus lowering latency.
Q8: Is 5G necessary for the Industrial Internet?
Not necessarily.
5G is the latest upgrade in communication technology, offering features like ultra-high bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and massive connectivity. However, 5G is not an absolute requirement for the Industrial Internet.
There are hundreds of industries and thousands of scenarios within them.
In some scenarios, there may be minimal mobility requirements, and using technologies like fiber optics or wired connections could suffice. In other cases, scenarios may not demand significant bandwidth or low latency and could make do with technologies like LTE or NB-IoT. Additionally, some customers may prefer not to route data through a carrier network for various reasons, or they may consider cost-effective alternatives such as Wi-Fi or private network technologies like LoRa.
The essence of the Industrial Internet lies not just in connectivity but in computing. The operating systems, platforms, data, and applications of the Industrial Internet are the most critical components.
5G is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it will coexist with numerous communication technologies. The adoption of 5G in industries will be a long and gradual process.
Q9: What is the relationship between the Industrial Internet and Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
Artificial Intelligence serves the same purpose, catering to specific scenarios.
As industries gradually undergo digitization, they generate vast amounts of data, forming data streams. These data streams not only facilitate data mining and analysis but also drive the implementation of AI in various scenarios.
Here’s a simple example: when using high-speed cameras for quality inspection in production, relying solely on human observation is inefficient. Introducing AI and training it with a large dataset of images can replace manual labor, improving inspection efficiency.
On a higher level, if AI is integrated into factory management processes to coordinate supply, production, logistics, sales, and other aspects, it can significantly reduce inventory, optimize production resources, reduce costs, and increase profits.
In other words, factories with AI could become ‘unmanned factories,’ and even factory management could potentially be handled by AI in the future.
As Artificial Intelligence continues to evolve, the Industrial Internet system will achieve self-perception of operating conditions, self-learning of processes, self-execution of equipment, and self-organization of systems.
This is the ultimate goal of smart manufacturing.
Q10: How fast will the Industrial Internet progress?
The advancement of the Industrial Internet is both fast and slow.
It’s considered fast because many industries already have ready-made examples and numerous solutions available for reference if you want to embark on the journey of the Industrial Internet. You can start quickly.
However, it’s also slow because the full implementation of the Industrial Internet is an extremely lengthy process.
It’s not a commodity, not a piece of hardware or software that you can buy and immediately use, claiming to be a ‘successful practitioner’ of the Industrial Internet. It involves a profound transformation of existing enterprises. Your entire production process, management system, organizational structure, and operating model must change. Moreover, it’s not just you who needs to change; your upstream supply chain and downstream distributors also need to adapt. Otherwise, your digitization efforts will be as useless as an early-generation iPhone in today’s era.
The Industrial Internet requires significant investment and the follow-through of a company’s soft power. The quality and capabilities of your employees must support your transformation efforts. If people don’t know how to use it or if your corporate culture doesn’t accept it, then no matter how much money you spend, it will be in vain.
Q11: Who are the key players in the Industrial Internet?
The main players in the Industrial Internet can be categorized as follows:
1. Internet Companies: Companies like Alibaba and Tencent are significant drivers of the Industrial Internet. Leveraging their experience and strength in the consumer internet, they aim to open up new markets and find new profit growth points in various industries. However, the difference in the playing field between industrial and consumer internet may lead to some
2. Traditional Industrial Giants: These giants, such as Sany Heavy Industry, Haier, and Gree, have deep industry knowledge and have been investing in information technology and digitization for some time. However, competition within the same industry can create natural resistance to adopting solutions or technologies from their peers. The profound transformation required by the Industrial Internet might make it challenging for them to collaborate within their own industry.
3. Telecom Operators: Telecom operators, as infrastructure builders, are eager to develop industry-specific solutions and tap into the enterprise market. The intense competition and declining profits in the consumer mobile communication market have driven them to invest more in the B2B market. However, their experience in the B2B market primarily involves selling dedicated lines, and transitioning to selling solutions and enabling applications is a significant challenge.
4. Equipment Suppliers: In this category, Huawei is the most prominent player. Huawei has extensive experience in the B2B market and is rapidly advancing in areas such as chips, operating systems, databases, and ecosystems. This positions Huawei as a formidable force in the Industrial Internet.
The Industrial Internet encompasses a vast market with various industries and numerous players. In this fiercely competitive landscape, it remains uncertain whether an unexpected force will emerge as a dark horse.
For small and medium-sized enterprises, it is advisable not to invest in the Industrial Internet lightly. Short-term returns may not be visible, and there is a risk of failure.
For developers, I recommend focusing on opportunities in specific niches. The Industrial Internet relies on the core of industry, empowered by information and communication technologies. In-depth research into industries, the strategic use of technology, and finding one’s unique value proposition is key to seizing opportunities and thriving in the future.
Related:
- Why Skip Internet Setup on a New Laptop? Explained
- Windows 11 Login Bypass: No Microsoft Account Needed
- How UEFI Transforms Boot Speed for Lightning Fast PCs!
- ShrinkLocker Ransomware Exposed, Misuses BitLocker
- Geek Experiment: Can Water Replace Cables for Internet?
- Inside Story: Windows Blue Screen Origins and Contributions
Disclaimer:
- This channel does not make any representations or warranties regarding the availability, accuracy, timeliness, effectiveness, or completeness of any information posted. It hereby disclaims any liability or consequences arising from the use of the information.
- This channel is non-commercial and non-profit. The re-posted content does not signify endorsement of its views or responsibility for its authenticity. It does not intend to constitute any other guidance. This channel is not liable for any inaccuracies or errors in the re-posted or published information, directly or indirectly.
- Some data, materials, text, images, etc., used in this channel are sourced from the internet, and all reposts are duly credited to their sources. If you discover any work that infringes on your intellectual property rights or personal legal interests, please contact us, and we will promptly modify or remove it.