António Moniz

Citation:

Moniz, António B. "From Industry 4.0 Onward: Is There a Need for “Industry 6.0”?" In From Industry 4.0 to Industry 6.0, edited by Carolina Machado and Paulo J. Davim, 1-20. Hoboken: Wiley, 2025.

Abstract:

The process of industrialization – as a sustained trend in history and developing new socio-economic concepts – presuposes higher rates of growth of the economy and a structural change. It is on this basis diverse concepts of industrial revolutions have been accepted. These concepts have been coherent to reveal singular developments. Recently, the accepted concept of Industry 4.0 (i4.0) has shown some limitations regarding the need to develop automation technology in an anthropocentric orientation. This is why Industry 5.0 has two orientations: either the experiences that adopt this concept seek solutions to adapt the human factor to the features of the technology or, knowing the social and organizational requirements, look for solutions to develop this technology in accordance with these requirements. The debate is still developing. There is not yet conceptual maturity to propose a new topic that would be based in a new eventual structural change observed like a possible “Industry 6.0” era. Most arguments for an Industry 6.0 are still those which have been discussed for Industry 4.0, since they are mostly based on eventual not yet ready developments of technology. That is why we should continue the debate on the late developments of industrialization and its social and economic conditions.

Related External Link