The manufacturing industry is currently undergoing one of the biggest transformations ever. The 4th Industrial revolution is bringing transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, 5D, smart coworking robots, web3, the industrial Internet of Things, and additive manufacturing. Here we look at the ten key future trends in manufacturing.

1. THE 10 BIGGEST FUTURE
TRENDS IN MANUFACTURING

2. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
THE 10 BIGGEST FUTURE TRENDS IN
MANUFACTURING
The manufacturing industry is currently undergoing one of the biggest
transformations ever. The 4th Industrial revolution is bringing transformative
technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, 5D, smart coworking robots,
web3, the industrial Internet of Things, and additive manufacturing. Here we look at
the ten key future trends in manufacturing.

3. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
From cars to computers, coffee machines to children’s toys, almost everything we use on
an everyday basis is produced by manufacturers. It’s no wonder manufacturing is often
described as a key building block of society.
Manufacturing has evolved over the centuries, from human-centered methods to machine-
reliant assembly lines to the highly automated factories we’re beginning to see more of
today. And the industry continues to evolve. Indeed, a number of trends are combining to
transform manufacturing and, together, these trends can be referred to as “Industry 4.0.”
Let’s explore the seven biggest trends that are contributing to Industry 4.0.

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TREND 1: THE INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS (IIOT)
You’ve heard of the Internet of Things; well, now we have the Industrial Internet of Things
(IIoT), where interconnected devices are used in manufacturing and industrial settings to
collect data – data that can then be used to enhance the manufacturing process.
Sensors are a prime example of these interconnected IIoT devices. Data gathered from
sensors on factory machines can help manufacturers understand how machines are
performing, optimize the maintenance process, reduce machine downtime, and even
predict when things will go wrong. Which brings us to the next big trend in
manufacturing…

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TREND 2: 5G AND EDGE COMPUTING
The fifth generation of mobile data network technology (5G) will enable manufacturers
to easily connect their IIoT technology and leverage the data collection and data
processing within devices such as smart machines and sensors (what we refer to as
edge computing). Manufacturers can create a private 5G network on their premises
which will give them superfast data speeds without the need for cables and much-
improved data security.

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TREND 3: PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE
In a manufacturing context, predictive maintenance refers to the use of sensor data and artificial
intelligence (AI) to detect failure patterns in machinery and components. The idea is that by
understanding when a machine or part is likely to fail, manufacturers can take preventative
action and maintain their equipment more effectively.
And this doesn’t just apply to fancy new equipment. Siemens has used such sensors on older
motors and transmissions – and by analyzing the data from these sensors, Siemens says it can
interpret a machine’s condition, detect irregularities and fix machines before they fail. This shows
how predictive maintenance processes can be applied even to legacy machinery.

7. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
TREND 4: DIGITAL TWINS
Digital twins can be used to simulate any physical process or object. For example, in a
manufacturing setting, a digital twin could be used to simulate a new product's dimensions
or create a digital replica of the equipment on the factory floor to see how the machinery
operates under certain conditions. Digital twin technology can even be used to visualize and
simulate an entire supply chain. By 2022, as many as 70 percent of manufacturers may be
using digital twins to conduct simulations and evaluations – which gives you an idea of just
how transformative this trend could be.
Using digital twins, Boeing has been able to achieve a 40 percent improvement rate in first-
time quality of parts. In 2018, the then CEO of Boeing, Dennis Muilenburg, said digital twins
would be the biggest driver of production efficiency improvements over the next decade.

8. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
TREND 5: EXTENDED REALITY AND THE METAVERSE
Extended reality technologies such as augmented and virtual reality will play an
increasingly important part in manufacturing, from enhanced product design, better
production planning, augmenting human abilities on assembly lines, and more immersive
training. As more of the world extends into the metaverse, more opportunities will arise
for manufacturers.

9. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
TREND 6: AUTOMATION AND DARK FACTORIES
Thanks to AI, machines are now capable of carrying out more and more tasks that were
previously reserved for humans. So it makes sense that machines can take on more and
more manufacturing tasks.
Automation can bring many advantages to manufacturers, including higher productivity
(machines don’t get tired), greater accuracy, and lower costs. We may even see more
entirely automated factories or so-called dark factories – fully automated sites where
production happens without direct human intervention on site.

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TREND 7: ROBOTS AND COBOTS
One of the key enablers of automation is the use of robots. But it’s worth noting that not
all robots are there to replace human workers – many are there to enhance the work of
humans. For example, we have robotic exoskeletons that help those on the production
line lift heavier parts without compromising their safety. And we have collaborative,
intelligent robots – or “cobots” – that are specifically designed to work alongside humans.
Robots and cobots can help manufacturers achieve greater efficiencies. This was the case
for Nissan, who deployed Universal Robots’ robotic arms at its motor production facilities
in Japan to help overcome problems around maintaining production times (largely due to
labor shortages). Nissan also deployed cobots to help employees install engine intakes,
among other tasks.

11. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
TREND 8: 3D PRINTING
As 3D printing becomes more cost-effective, efficient, and scalable, manufacturers will
increasingly be able to make products using 3D printing methods – which use fewer
materials and create less waste than traditional manufacturing methods. I believe 3D printing
will also drive a new era of personalization because individually personalized products can be
made without worrying about economies of scale. Plus, 3D printing can help to drive
innovation by allowing rapid prototyping.
Airbus has been using 3D printing technology for more than 15 years, making it something of
a 3D printing pioneer in the manufacturing industry. The company extensively uses 3D
printing for localized on-demand production of toolings, such as jigs and fixtures.

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TREND 9: WEB3 AND BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY
With the emergence of Web3 and distributed computing technology such as blockchains
and NFTs (non-fungible tokens), there will be opportunities for manufacturers to better
monitor their supply chains and even automate many of the transactions along their
supply chains. Many of the products that will be manufactured in the future will be sold
with their NFT digital certificates.

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TREND 10: SMARTER, MORE SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
The emergence of smart connected IoT devices isn’t just changing how products are
manufactured but what types of products are manufactured. These days it seems there are
“smart” versions of everything from vacuum cleaners to toilets, and the trend for smart
products shows no sign of slowing down. Therefore, manufacturers will increasingly have to
explore ways of giving customers the intelligent products they expect.
On top of this, I believe customers will increasingly gravitate towards products that are
sustainable, reusable, and recyclable. The throwaway culture of the past is – hopefully –
coming to an end, and this is another factor that manufacturers will have to take into
account.

14. © 2021 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
To learn more about the business and technology trends that are transforming
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Trends in Practice: The 25+ Trends That are Redefining Organizations’.

15. © 2021 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker,
futurist, and a strategic business & technology advisor to governments and
companies. He helps organisations improve their business performance, use data
more intelligently, and understand the implications of new technologies such as
artificial intelligence, big data, blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is
a frequent contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for
Forbes. Every day Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers
and shares content that reaches millions of readers.

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