Editor’s Note
This article explores how artificial intelligence is setting new benchmarks in industrial automation, driving the transformation of production, maintenance, and logistics. As AI reshapes Industry 4.0, understanding and adopting these technologies is becoming essential for maintaining competitiveness and navigating future challenges.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a component of modern industry, transforming every aspect of the sector: production, maintenance, or the operation of logistics chains. Competitiveness will be at the service of the Industry 4.0 era led by AI, which is at the origin of new operational modes for companies. These companies must now seize the opportunities offered by AI, understand its processes to better anticipate challenges; it’s a question of leadership.
Automation, originally based on rigid and repetitive processes, is being transformed thanks to AI. It brings more flexibility, more adaptability and intelligence, in addition to managing increasingly complex tasks. This technological revolution allows companies to improve their productivity, reduce their operational costs, and optimize resource utilization.
The automotive industry as a whole, like Audi or BMW, is observing a growing trend in adopting AI to meet the requirements of the ecological transition (cf. autonomous car).
In parallel, collaborative robots (cobots) or intelligent robots are redefining human-machine interactions on production lines. Cobots work alongside humans, sharing complex tasks like assembly or polishing. Nutriset, a company specialized in nutrition, integrated a UR20-PE20 “palletizer” cobot. This technological innovation led to a significant improvement in working conditions with a return on investment in just six months (Source: Universal Robots).
Artificial intelligence improves the precision, speed, and efficiency of logistics operations. With innovative solutions, it revolutionizes supply chain management, from demand forecasting to inventory optimization, and transportation planning.
These programs analyze a large amount of data to adjust stock levels or limit costs related to overproduction – that is, the excessive production of a product relative to “what is necessary.” AI anticipates fluctuations in customer demand by allowing very precise forecasting of demand-related peaks. It becomes a facilitator for strategic decision-making (it already pilots inventory management…). Anaplan Inc., a SaaS company, collaborates with Amazon Forecast to improve forecast accuracy. According to the American giant, one of their clients took 2.5 weeks to record value with efficiency gains throughout the forecasting process.
The Renault Group uses AI to optimize the management of its vehicle flows and to autonomously pilot its warehouses. The company can thus accurately predict transport needs, reduce logistics costs, and improve delivery punctuality. Renault is also testing autonomous vehicles for transporting spare parts between its different sites. An initiative that contributes to reducing CO2 emissions in its operations.