More and more companies have realized the importance of automation as a tool to improve efficiency and competitiveness: the industrial automation sector is therefore continuously growing.
According to data from Anie Automazione, in fact, in 2022 the Italian industrial automation market recorded a 23% increase in turnover, reaching almost €7 billion. And as for the years to come, the Markets N Research report states that the smart manufacturing market worldwide will reach a value of $235.1 billion by 2028.
Fundamental to making the company automated is the implementation of automation and industrial robotics technologies, such as IoT and cobots, which LCS Group also employs in the projects it carries out for its clients. In the following paragraphs, we will explain what these technologies and their characteristics are.
Technologies driving the industrial automation market
The growth and future of the industry largely derive from industrial automation technologies, whose continuous innovations will increasingly contribute to optimizing processes and improving productivity.
Artificial Intelligence and Automation
Using advanced algorithms and neural networks, artificial intelligence (AI) enables machines to learn from data and perform complex tasks, increasing efficiency and precision in industrial processes.
With the help of AI, companies can automate numerous tasks, including production, maintenance and logistics. For example, Automated intelligent vehicles (AIVs), used in logistics, with the help of AI move boxes and items in a repetitive and coordinated manner and are able to autonomously change their route in the event of sudden obstacles.
Nel corso degli anni le soluzioni basate sull’ Intelligenza Artificiale sono diventate sempre più sofisticate, consentendo alle macchine di adattarsi autonomamente a situazioni in continua evoluzione.
Over the years, Artificial Intelligence-based solutions have become increasingly sophisticated, enabling machines to autonomously adapt to changing situations.
Collaborative Industrial Robots (Cobots)
Cobots, or collaborative robots, are safe and easily programmable industrial machines, designed to work side by side with humans in manufacturing environments. Thanks to their advanced sensors, they detect human presence and perform various tasks, from manipulating objects to processing materials.
In the years to come, these collaborative robots will become more and more common in production facilities.
Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR)
Augmented reality is a technology that overlays digital information, such as images, videos, text or 3D models, onto the physical environment. In industrial automation it is used, for example, for process monitoring: sensor data and machine status information can be visualized in real time via AR devices.
In contrast, virtual reality is a technology that creates a virtual environment in which users can interact and immerse themselves through devices, such as visors or sensory gloves. VR is used a lot for design and prototyping: engineers can create interactive 3D models of their products or industrial plants before the actual physical realization.
Both technologies help improve industrial automation by increasing safety, productivity and efficiency, and reduce operating costs.
IoT-based Industry 4.0 automation
Among the trends in industrial automation is the loT or Internet of Things: this technology connects physical objects to the Internet, making them communicate each other and with central systems to collect, exchange and analyze data in real time and more accurately. This makes it possible to optimize equipment maintenance, improve resource management and automate operations.
The ever-expanding connection of physical objects to the network will continue to offer a huge amount of data that can be used to further optimize automation processes. Sensors and IoT devices will lead to greater interconnection and communication between machines in Industry 4.0, creating a more intelligent and responsive production environment.
Industrial Cybersecurity
The secure and effective operation of industrial systems and software is crucial for achieving and maintaining business continuity. This is why the cybersecurity of IT systems and networks and the protection of corporate data from possible cyber-attacks are a major concern for companies and one of the most important trends in the implementation of automation and industrial robotics technologies.
This trend is also crucial in the logistics sector, which must protect sensitive data, systems and computer networks from data leaks, hacking and downtime. Every software that LCS Group offers includes defence measures and IT security best practices precisely to safeguard systems against viruses and malware.
Benefits of industrial automation for companies
As we have seen, companies active in various markets are increasingly investing in industrial automation. This is because it offers a number of significant advantages, which we summarize below:
- Increased productivity: using automation, repetitive and physically demanding tasks are performed faster and without risk.
- Improved product quality: automated systems are highly accurate, resulting in greater product uniformity and quality.
- Improved flexibility: automated systems are easily programmable to adapt to different production lines or new products, allowing adequate flexibility.
- Reduced cycle times: production times can be significantly reduced through automation, allowing companies to respond more quickly to market demand.
- Reduced operating costs: for a significant initial investment, automation can reduce energy and material costs through process optimisation.
- Increased safety: the use of robots and automated systems, especially in hazardous working environments, reduces the risk of accidents at work and improves employee safety.
- Market competitiveness: companies that adopt automation become more competitive on the market, as they are able to produce high-quality products more efficiently and at lower costs.
LCS Group: customised industrial automation
For over 30 years, LCS Group has been offering complete solutions for intralogistics and industrial automation. We employ state-of-the-art technologies, including cobots, IoT and cybersecurity systems. Our process automation solutions are engineered in detail and functionally integrate hardware and software components.
In every project, we start from the needs of our customers, their plants and their production, and engage with them on an ongoing basis. We manage the entire process, from initial analysis to technical design and implementation.
Contact us without obligation if you wish to automate your industrial processes in a secure and functional way.
