The term Industry 4.0 suggests a trend of industrial automation that integrates some new production technologies to improve working conditions, create new business models and increase the productivity and production quality of the plants. The name derives from the European Industry 4.0 initiative, and itself is inspired by a German government project.
When it was implemented at the end of 2013, the project for the future Industry 4.0 included investments in infrastructures, schools, energy systems, research institutes and companies to modernize the German production system and bring German manufacturing back to being a world leader, making it globally competitive.
This was aimed at improving the efficiency of the factory system, reducing costs and maximizing productivity.