Prototyping Industry 4.0: Tracing Infrastructural Resonance in a Smart Factory Demo

Abstract

With the advent of Industry 4.0, Internet-of-things, and data-centric technologies, the concept of the smart factory (automation of the factory) has gained traction to make machines more than mechanical artifacts. It creates an ecosystem of technologies providing infrastructure to embed technological advancements with the emerging needs of the system. However, with the increasing demand for automation, several socio-technical challenges pertain due to the infusion of several infrastructural layers in the smart factory settings. We present “Demo Smart Factory”, which automates a logistic pipeline, including dummy manufacturing, quality assurance, and sorting, and provides control mechanisms on the real-time sensor data based on components and units of the factory to different stakeholders via a digital twin. Through this exemplary use-case of a logistics smart factory demo, we aim to illustrate the resonance between different infrastructural layers and highlight key socio-technical factors that shape the design and implementation of smart factory systems. We also identify key pitfalls that need to be avoided or balanced in realizing large-scale and multi-layered interventions like a smart factory.