Filled with technologies ranging from offices to workshops to products, manufacturing appears to be several steps ahead of other industries in embracing the connected economy.

Vodafone and the London School of Economics released a study earlier this year looking at technology developments across 2,526 businesses around the world, highlighting changes over the past few years and future directions.

The study's authors report that manufacturing leads most other industries surveyed when it comes to using specific technologies. Technologies adopted by manufacturers include deploying IoT (59%), artificial intelligence (47%), robotics (53%), mobile private networks (28%) and mobile access to edge computing (24%). Automation is also a top priority for manufacturers, with 84% currently automating to some degree. About 44% reported that they were automating routine tasks, and 39% reported that they were automating tasks inherent to risk.

"The pandemic has clearly caused many manufacturers to accelerate their digital transformation plans and invest in modern technologies that will allow them to Well-positioned for the future.” “Technologies such as IoT, 5G, and mobile private networks are critical to securely connecting assets in factories, enabling innovation and new use cases such as automated guided vehicles, augmented and virtual reality on the shop floor, and connected robots. important."

The rise of artificial intelligence to support advanced and real-time analytics is driving these initiatives forward. "Deploying AI applications at the forefront of 5G has the potential to generate new revenue streams and position AI as the standard-bearer for 5G," said a MIT Technology Review report. The report's authors note that this brings with it Opportunities including smart manufacturing, enhanced retail logistics and automated warehouses.

The MIT report delves into the use of artificial intelligence, edge and 5G applications at Audi. The automaker is applying "artificial intelligence inference and computer vision" on the factory floor with autonomous robotic welders that can react in real time and solve problems that may arise while welding the car's frame. "In the past, soldering required a lot of manual intervention and inspection to ensure adequate quality," said Nick McKeown, Intel senior vice president and general manager of the Networking and Edge Group. "Now, with cameras checking weld quality, the need for human intervention is greatly reduced."

Like other manufacturers leading the way in edge, 5G and AI implementation, Audi aims to create a smart factory with a scalable and flexible platform.

As discussed in the Vodafone-LSE report, these forward-looking companies share a common trait: they are adaptable and willing to actively explore new technological approaches. They're putting more time and money into digital transformation. But it's important to know that being a [digital leader] doesn't depend on getting up to speed. In fact, every business should take one step at a time and put itself Attitudes towards technology are equally important.”

Research by Vodafone and the London School of Economics shows that leading companies "are more willing to be first to try new technologies, which helps them advance their business and get ahead of the curve and pay off." Notably, 86% of leading companies said they Actions are being taken to tackle an automated world, and 75% across the enterprise. Additionally, 51% of leaders say they are training employees in skills that automation cannot replace. "