On November 7, end users, system integrators and suppliers of industrial automation discussed this theme at FHI. It is a simple title, which is not really easy to make unambiguous in a simple definition.
Anyway. This also applies to smart industry, Industry 4.0 and Industrial Internet of Things.
Perhaps you should also look less at a definition, but more ask yourself what do we mean by it and what do we want with this development? The professionals who came together on November 7th did that explicitly.
With Autonomous Operations, the process industry wants to make a transition to processes that run completely autonomously between planned shutdowns. The group was realistic to see that there are still many factories in a second phase, with the fifth phase being considered the ideal. The group of professionals agreed that we can simply get started with existing definitions, structure and technology.
The goals are also clear. The societal challenges require an industry that fits well within our environment, works with fewer technical experts, has better control of the supply chain through collaboration and looks more broadly at the function for society. The autonomous process must have the basis organized in such a way that more holistic advice is provided for the functioning in general.
This will offer the professionals of the future interesting work, ensure a climate-friendly approach and improve the efficiency & effectiveness of the organizations.
This vision of the future can only be realized if the wishes in society are supported with actions. Practical actions, good examples (in or out of the box) and new investments are now needed. There are still too few of them, even though we would like to 'sell each other the message' that it is already there.
I'm open to more good examples from professionals reading this: p.petersen@fhi.nl.
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