// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
Smart Machine
A machine that can learn, adapt, and make decisions based on data, often using artificial intelligence, to perform tasks more effectively.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A Smart Machine is an advanced piece of industrial equipment incorporating AI, machine learning, and sensor technology to perform tasks autonomously, optimize processes, and adapt to changing conditions, often communicating with other systems in a smart factory ecosystem.
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
- Intelligent machine
- AI-powered machine
- Autonomous machine
- Cognitive machine
USAGE NOTE
Capable of self-correction and continuous improvement, reducing human intervention.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Smart Machine.
Develops the MindSphere cloud-based IoT operating system and the Digital Enterprise Suite, which enable machines to be connected, monitored, and optimized through digital twins and advanced analytics.
Provides industrial automation and information solutions under its Allen-Bradley and FactoryTalk software brands. Their 'Connected Enterprise' concept focuses on integrating plant-floor control and information systems to create smarter manufacturing processes.
A leading provider of industrial robotics and automation technology. Their ABB Ability™ platform connects devices and systems, enabling smart machines with services like predictive maintenance and process optimization.
A global leader in factory automation, robotics, and CNC systems. Their FIELD (FANUC Intelligent Edge Link & Drive) system is an open platform that connects various manufacturing machines to enable advanced analytics and process improvement.
A German manufacturer of intelligent industrial robots and solutions for factory automation. Their robots are key components in smart factories, often equipped with vision systems, sensors, and connectivity for M2M communication.
Develops the EcoStruxure platform, an IoT-enabled architecture for industrial environments. It connects and collects data from machines to provide analytics for operational efficiency and predictive maintenance.
Specializes in drive and control technologies. They embed intelligence and connectivity directly into their components (hydraulics, electric drives), enabling machines to self-monitor and communicate their status within an Industry 4.0 framework.
Provides the ThingWorx Industrial IoT platform, a software solution designed to build and deploy applications for smart, connected machines. It enables real-time monitoring, remote service, and operational intelligence.