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= Industrial Internet of Things - Industry 4.0 =

Definition of IIoT
The technology Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is based on the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT is a technology that allows the integration of the physical world into computer-based systems. Physical devices and items are embedded with electronics, sensors, software, and actuators, where each object represents a node in a virtual network, continuously transmitting a large volume of data of itself and its surroundings. This connectivity allows for data collection, exchange and analysis resulting in improvements in efficiency and economic benefits.

IoT is applied in different areas. Often a distinction is made between industrial IoT (further referred to as IIoT) and consumer IoT. IIoT relates to the use of IoT in various industrial settings such as manufacturing, while consumer IoT applications include smart homes and wearables.

Boyes et al. provide a complete definition of the IIoT:

“IIoT is a system comprising networked smart objects, cyber-physical systems, associated generic information technologies, and optional cloud or edge computing platforms, which enable real-time, intelligent, and autonomous access, collection, analysis, communications, and exchange of process, product and/or service information, within the industrial environment, so as to optimise overall production value. This value may include; improving product or service delivery, boosting productivity, reducing labour costs, reducing energy consumption, and reducing the build-to-order cycle”.

Enablers of IIoT
The following technologies enable IIoT: cyber security, cloud computing, mobile technologies, machine-to-machine, 3D printing, advanced robotics, big data, Internet of Things, RFID technologie, and cognitive computing. The most important ones are described below:


 * Cyber-physical Systems (CPS): the basic technology platform for IoT and IIoT and therefore the main enabler to connect physical machines that were previously disconnected. CPS integrate the dynamics of the physical process with those of software and communication, providing abstractions and modelling, design, and analysis techniques for integrated the whole.
 * Cloud computing: With cloud computing IT services can be delivered in which resources are retrieved from the Internet as opposed to direct connection to a server. Files can be kept on cloud-based storage systems rather than on local storage devices.
 * Big data analytics: Big data analytics is the process of examining large and varied data sets, or big data.
 * Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Artificial intelligence (AI) is a field within of computer science in which intelligent machines are created that work and react like humans. Machine learning is a core part of AI, allows software to become more accurate with predicting outcomes without explicitly being programmed.

Connectivity
Before the introduction of IIoT, physical devices operated as independent entities, solely programmed to fulfill their own specific task. With the IIoT technology, connectivity becomes basic as machines now have the possibility to be connected to each other, enabling machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. Thus, machines can be controlled and monitored from a remote location. In case of an emerging problem with a machine, the device can send a detailed report about it to the responsible person. This enables interoperability between the different systems.

Reprogrammable and smart
In traditional manufacturing, a complex machine or device is specifically designed and built for the purpose of a particular task. On the contrary, with IIoT, an existing machine can be reprogrammed or updated with new software/functionalities to perform different tasks. It can either be done by the supplier or by the machine itself autonomously (machine learning). For instance, the same robot can then be deployed to a different task, just by reprogramming it, making production faster, cheaper and agile.

Digital traces
Digital traces refer to the traceable activities that are saved as data after usage of a digital device. In the case of IIoT, this can be applied to data generated from the use of a connected machine or device. When digital traces from these machines or devices are analyzed, users or companies can gain insight into how exactly the devices are being used. Combining the input data with already existing knowledge and data, unintentional discoveries can occur, such as the uncovering of certain patterns, which can lead to (new) innovations and eventually competitive advantages. This is called wakes of innovation.

For example, the automotive company Tesla is capturing data from all of its connected vehicles on the road, to later analyze the information how the drivers are using their car. This information leads to insights that the producers did not think of when first building the car. By releasing software updates, Tesla is able to innovate the cars later on when analyzing the data. The latest software update released on the 5th of October 2018, has made it possible to now record and store video taken from the front-facing camera, and use it as a dash cam. Where the front-facing camera had been serving different purposes before, new functionality is being added as a result of new customer gathered data.

Next to these positive impacts of digital traces, insecurity may, however, arise with regard to all the data that is being saved in the process. More on this in Security.

Modularity
With the same purpose that reprogrammability is used for software, modularity is applied for hardware. The same machine can be used for different tasks by replacing or expanding one module or part of it, depending on the tasks the machine needs to execute (e.g. a robotic arm maintains constant and just the hand needs to be replaced).

Modularity reduces the system complexity, the modification risks, and improves the system reconfigurability and maintainability. It also allows customer-centricity, flexibility and agility (rapid response to the market), and a dynamic environment: to plan for the unpredictable and capabilities for switch changes.