Advances in Industry 4.0: from Intelligentization to the Industrial Metaverse

One of the characteristic features of the next-generation of Industry 4.0 is human-centricity, which in turn includes two technological advancements: Artificial Intelligence and the Industrial Metaverse. In this work, we assess the impact that AI played on the advancement of three technologies that emerged to be cornerstones in the fourth generation of industry: intelligent industrial robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles, and additive manufacturing. Despite the significant improvement that AI and the industrial metaverse can offer, the incorporation of many AI-enabled and Metaverse-based technologies remains under the expectations. Safety continues to be a strong factor that limits the expansion of intelligent industrial robotics and drones, whilst Cybersecurity is effectively a major limiting factor for the advance of the industrial metaverse and the integration of blockchains. However, most research works agree that the lack of the skilled workforce will no-arguably be the decisive factor that limits the incorporation of these technologies in industry. Therefore, long-term planning and training programs are needed to counter the upcoming shortage in the skilled workforce.