// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
Industrial Automation
The use of control systems, computers, and robotics to automate industrial processes and machinery, reducing the need for human intervention. It aims to increase productivity, quality, and safety.

TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Industrial automation is the deployment of control systems, instrumentation, and information technologies to operate and control industrial machinery and processes, aiming to maximize production efficiency, consistency, safety, and reliability with minimal human oversight.
BACKGROUND
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as 4IR, Industry 4.0 or the Intelligence Age, is a neologism describing rapid technological advancement in the 21st century. It follows the Third Industrial Revolution. The term was popularized in 2016 by Klaus Schwab, the World Economic Forum founder and former executive chairman, who asserts that these developments represent a significant shift in industrial capitalism.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Factory automation
- Process automation
- Manufacturing automation
USAGE NOTE
Industrial automation is a cornerstone of modern manufacturing, enabling mass production, precision, and the handling of hazardous tasks.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Industrial Automation.
A global technology powerhouse with a strong focus on industrial automation, offering a comprehensive portfolio including PLCs, SCADA systems, industrial software, and robotics for various manufacturing sectors.
A dedicated provider of industrial automation and information solutions, including control systems, motor control, sensing devices, and software for digital transformation in manufacturing.
A leader in industrial automation, robotics, power, and motion technologies, providing solutions that include collaborative robots, process automation systems, and electrical components to enhance factory efficiency.
Specializes in automation solutions for process, hybrid, and discrete industries, offering control systems, measurement instrumentation, and software to optimize production and operational performance.
Focuses on digital automation and energy management, providing integrated solutions for industrial control, software, and services that enable smart manufacturing and operational efficiency.
A global leader in factory automation, manufacturing a wide range of industrial robots, CNC systems, and Robomachines for various applications from assembly to heavy-duty material handling.
A German manufacturer of industrial robots and factory automation systems, known for its innovative robotic solutions used in automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and other industries.
Offers a broad array of factory automation products and solutions, including PLCs, inverters, servo systems, robots, and human-machine interfaces, contributing to advanced and efficient manufacturing.
Provides a comprehensive suite of industrial automation control technologies and software, including distributed control systems (DCS) and safety systems, primarily for process industries.
A major player in industrial automation and control, specializing in process control systems, instrumentation, and information solutions to enhance operational excellence and safety in industrial plants.