The advent of Industry 5.0 introduces a continuum of control that enhances the implementation of Industry 4.0 by incorporating a greater emphasis on human insight for key control elements. This shift promotes the concept of sustainability, broadening the perspective from the production-focused goals of Industry 4.0 to consider the ecological impact of factory operations within society. Industry 5.0 ensures the best drivers from Industry 4.0 are strengthened and augmented with the elements of control, reconfiguration, and realignment.
Industry 5.0 marks a shift from the automation-driven Industry 4.0 to a human-centric, sustainable industrial model. While technologies like automation, IoT, AI, and robotics remain important, the focus of Industry 5.0 is on integrating human creativity, ethics, and well-being into production environments. Introduced by the European Commission in 2021, it aims to align technology with social and ecological values. Countries and organisations are piloting solutions that combine collaborative robotics, digital twins, green energy, and mass personalisation for responsible and inclusive production.
Industry 4.0 emphasised automation, standardisation, visibility, agility, and decision-making by machines, resulting in operations that could run continuously without human intervention. It led to concepts like “Dark Factories” or lights-out manufacturing, showcasing the extremes of Industry 4.0 implementation.
The industry has evolved from manual processes in the 1700s (Industry 1.0) to mechanisation (Industry 2.0) in the 1800s, then to computer-assisted manufacturing (Industry 3.0) in the 1970s, and finally to the connected and automated IIoT-driven processes of Industry 4.0 around the 2020s.
Industry 4.0
(Evolution of industry in phases of industrialisation)
Industry 4.0 marks a significant shift in processes, principles, and technologies. It includes key initiatives like process automation, product simulation, and a seamless connection from the shop floor to the top floor. Essential components involve the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), cybersecurity, and digital technologies such as cloud computing, mobility, 3D printing, augmented and virtual reality, and big data analytics.
(Levers of Industry 4.0)
As we advance into Industry 4.0, industries are becoming more standardised, automated, and self-governing, resulting in mass production with minimal manual intervention. Factories will operate continuously, giving the impression of autonomy, though this is limited to their knowledge of business rules and established expert systems.
When taken to the extreme, Industry 4.0 can lead to excessive automation and a higher reliance on robotic systems and conveyors. This could result in self-decision-making processes that overlook the human element, creating operations that run continuously 365 days a year, without any manual intervention. This scenario is often referred to as “dark factories” or “lights-out manufacturing,” highlighting the reckless implementation of Industry 4.0 concepts.
Where 5.0 is already real?
Industry 5.0 is in its early stages globally, with Japan, Germany, and Denmark leading the way. While many regions are still transitioning from Industry 4.0, some are beginning to adopt Industry 5.0 principles. In India, this shift is gaining momentum due to a focus on personalised manufacturing, digital skills, and sustainability, supported by initiatives like Make in India and PLI schemes. Industry-academia partnerships are exploring AI-human collaboration, particularly in the automotive, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods sectors. Wider implementation will depend on policy alignment, digital infrastructure, and collaborative efforts. Some of the leading ones following it are-
1. Japan
Japan has long been a global leader in robotics and precision manufacturing. Japanese companies have seamlessly transitioned toward Industry 5.0 with the introduction of collaborative robots and advanced human-machine collaboration.
Key Companies:
FANUC: Pioneering adaptive robots that work safely alongside humans in assembly lines.
Omron Corporation: Specialises in smart sensors and cobots for health-focused and efficient workplaces.
Notable Projects: Integration of AI and machine learning in modular factories, allowing workers to oversee and adjust systems in real time.
2. Germany
Germany’s Industrie 4.0 Platform has evolved to incorporate elements of Industry 5.0, particularly in energy efficiency, worker participation, and resilience.
Key Companies:
Siemens: Developing human-in-the-loop AI systems and smart factories with predictive maintenance and energy optimisation.
Bosch utilises edge AI and digital twin technology, enabling skilled workers to co-design and interact with production systems.
National Strategy: Germany’s “Made in Europe” campaign and the Fraunhofer Institutes are embedding sustainability and circular economy models into industry AI policy and R&D.
3. Denmark
Denmark is using its strong foundation in green innovation and workplace welfare to drive Industry 5.0 practices.
Policy Leadership: The Danish government supports circular manufacturing and carbon-neutral industry clusters in pursuit of Industry 5.0 goals.
Key Collaborators:
Danish Technological Institute (DTI): Promotes smart materials and robotics, food tech and pharma with human-oriented design principles.
Universal Robots (based in Odense): A leader in cobots, enabling small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to deploy human-safe automation.
4. Canada
Canada has adopted Industry 5.0 through a public-private innovation model, focusing on collaborative tech ecosystems.
Key Organisation:
Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) – Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster.
Active Projects: Funding AI-human collaboration platforms, smart textiles, and biomanufacturing with a focus on personalised healthcare and clean tech.
5. United States
While the U.S. remains largely invested in Industry 4.0, some leading firms are pushing into the frontiers of Industry 5.0.
Key Companies:
Tesla: Incorporating adaptive AI in manufacturing while using cobots and digital twins for custom EV assembly.
General Electric (GE): Developing hybrid human-machine systems in the aerospace and energy sectors.
University Role: Institutions like MIT and Stanford are researching cognitive automation, ethics in AI, and the design of human-friendly robotic systems.
Where does the future stand?
1. 2022 in Australia and New Zealand: Amr Adel, an Egyptian-born academic specialising in Industry 5.0, focuses on human-centric technology and digital innovation, holding faculty positions in Australia and New Zealand. His paper, “Future of Industry 5.0 in Society: Human-Centric Solutions, Challenges, and Prospective Research Areas,” explores the opportunities and limitations of Industry 5.0 while outlining future research prospects.
Industry 5.0 emphasises collaboration between humans and machines, aiming to enhance customer satisfaction through personalised products. It is vital for gaining competitive advantages and driving economic growth in manufacturing.
The paper discusses the definitions and technologies of Industry 5.0, including big data analytics, the Internet of Things, collaborative robots, blockchain, digital twins, and future 6G systems. It also addresses challenges related to the interaction between robots and humans on assembly lines, providing insight into the obstacles organisations face in this evolving landscape.
2. 2019: Turkey: Kadir Alpaslan Demir, Gözde Döven, and Bülent Sezen explore “Industry 5.0 and Human-Robot Co-working” in their paper, which focuses on the interaction between humans and robots. This interaction leverages the mechanisation of robots alongside the intelligence and skills of humans.
Human-robot co-working is an emerging theme in Industry 5.0, driven by advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence. Affordable robots are becoming increasingly common, indicating that close interactions in daily life and the workplace are on the horizon, as seen in the testing of autonomous cars.
While research has primarily focused on low-level task collaboration and robot development, there is a gap regarding the organisational challenges of human-robot co-working. This study discusses potential issues from both organisational and employee perspectives, aiming to set the groundwork for future research in organisational robotics.
3. 2018-19: Turkey: Kadir Alpaslan Demir, Halil Cicibaş, and others, in their paper titled “The Next Industrial Revolution: Industry 5.0 and Discussions on Industry 4.0,” discuss the evolution of Industry 4.0 and the limitations it presents, which are being addressed by Industry 5.0. They critique Industry 4.0 for failing to provide solutions for all foreseeable future needs. While Industry 4.0 primarily focuses on mass production, Industry 5.0 emphasises sustainability. It also highlights that the next industrial revolution, regardless of its version, should be driven by both information and technology, as well as a commitment to environmental sustainability.
4. 2024: Portugal: Joel Alves, Tânia M. Lima, Pedro D. Gaspar, and colleagues explore in their article, “Is Industry 5.0 a Human-Centred Approach? A Systematic Review,” the role of humans as central to transitioning from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0. This approach prioritises worker well-being and aims for sustainable, resilient production systems.
To achieve human centricity, it is vital to empower industrial operators to improve their skills in collaboration with digital technologies. The research assesses whether Industry 5.0 is genuinely human-oriented and how to foster this through its technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Human-Robot Collaboration, while focusing on sustainable, resilient systems for workers.
5. 2022: Poland: Sandra Grabowska, Sebastian Saniuk, Bożena Gajdzik, and colleagues discuss “Industry 5.0: Improving Humanisation and Sustainability of Industry 4.0.” Their article highlights how the rapid digitisation of the fourth industrial revolution has led to dehumanisation in industry, prompting a focus on humanisation, sustainability, and resilience.
The authors aim to identify key areas related to these concepts within Industry 4.0. Using bibliometric analysis through Web of Science, Vosviewer tools, and content analysis, they found a significant rise in publications on Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0. The article highlights the weaknesses of Industry 4.0, particularly about human roles in smart factories, and proposes a framework for Industry 5.0 that emphasises employee skill development.
6. 2019: UK: Saeid Nahavandi et al. Saeid Nahavandi et al. explore in “Industry 5.0—A Human-Centric Solution” the evolution of Industry 5.0, highlighting its significance amid advancements in digital technologies and AI. The need for enhanced productivity without displacing workers poses substantial challenges for the global economy as robots increasingly integrate with human cognitive abilities through brain-machine interfaces.
The article introduces Industry 5.0, where robots and humans collaborate, addressing key concerns for manufacturers and showcasing recent developments in this field. It concludes that Industry 5.0 is likely to create more jobs than it eliminates, positively impacting the manufacturing industry and the economy.
(Figure 5: Results of bibliometric analysis in the new research field: “Industry 5.0” (human factor))
7. 2021: India: Chaudhari, Pramod, et al., in “A Novel Approach: Bioeconomy & Industry 5.0,” highlight how combining multiple technology components makes Industry 4.0 both worthwhile and widespread across various sectors. While it has driven economic growth, it has also exposed issues such as sustainability, ecological imbalance, unemployment, human costs, psychological effects, and inclusiveness.
They introduce two versions of Industry 5.0. The first version (V1) emphasises “human-robot co-working” or “cobots,” focusing on cooperation instead of conflict, with humans in creative roles and robots handling repetitive tasks. The second version (V2) centres on a bioeconomy that effectively uses biological resources in industry to balance ecology, industry, and economy. Bio-economy is defined as economic activities related to the development and use of biomass-based products and processes for renewable energy and materials.
(Figure 6: Equilibrium by Industry 5.0)
Summary
Industry 5.0 introduces a continuity of control that enhances Industry 4.0 implementation by emphasising human intelligence and sustainability. It shifts focus from merely increasing production rates to ensuring the long-term sustainability of factories within their societal ecosystems. Additionally, it fosters resilience in processes and systems, enabling organisations to adapt and thrive in the face of internal and external challenges.
Research underscores the importance of integrating sustainability and recognising the vital role of humans in the future of industry. Industry 5.0 is based on three key principles: being human-centric, sustainable, and resilient.
In summary, Industry 5.0 strengthens the foundations of Industry 4.0 by improving control and adaptability, considering the perspectives of stakeholders, including organisations, society, and humanity as a whole.
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Disclaimer: The views in this article are absolutely “personal, neutral, analytical, non-prescriptive and non-conclusive” based on some facts and references collated. It does not have any lineage, nor is it intended to promote any specific brand or hurt any sentiments or commercial/social/political agenda.
