The four industrial revolutions and their defining technologies: (1) Mechanization, water power and steam power; (2) Mass production, assembly lines and electricity; (3) Computers and automation; (4); Cyber-physical systems. (Image courtesy of Christoph Roser/ AllAboutLean.com .)

Some eras are defined by specific moments in history, like the detonation of the first atomic bomb or the fall of the Berlin Wall. In other cases, revolutionary change can happen so gradually that its impact is only recognized in hindsight—for example, the term ‘industrial revolution’ was coined after the time period it describes.

This is what makes speculation about future revolutions so difficult. The terms ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ and ‘Industry 4.0’ have been floating around for a while now, but the timing of the revolution is still unclear.

Has it already happened?

Don Weisler, president and CEO of HP Inc., believes it’s happening right now. “The Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us,” he said. “No sector of the global economy is undergoing more radical transformation that the US$12 trillion manufacturing market.”





HP and Deloitte Announce New Alliance

HP and Deloitte are aiming to accelerate this digital transformation by collaborating on the implementation of HP’s Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing systems in large-scale manufacturing environments. We’re already seeing HP making serious headway in on-demand manufacturing, but this alliance could accelerate the adoption of MJF even further.

(Image courtesy of HP.)

The alliance will combine HP’s additive solutions, tools and partner ecosystem with Deloitte’s global client reach, digital operations and supply chain experience. “Companies investing in digital reinvention are poised to outpace their peers,” said Weisler. “Building on our disruptive 3D printing technology, together with Deloitte we are focused on helping customers transform and win in this new era.”