The second industrial revolution is taking place in the physical and analogue spheres, with major improvements in the field of design, new materials and new products, and is known as OT (Operations Technology). The third revolution is occurring in the digital domain, has given rise to the "cyber" prefix, and is also known as IT (Information Technologies). Industry 4.0 is therefore a hybridisation of the second and third revolution, and is based on two pillars - on the one hand Cyberphysical systems, and on the other the Internet of Things. The relationship between the "cyber" and physical dimensions is explained by the virtuous circle that is defined by simulation and materialisation.
Modelling enables physical objects to be transferred to the digital world, and simulation techniques used to create "Digital Twins", which are used in high-speed experiments with no physical risk, as well as providing educational, training and support environments for operations through augmented reality and automatic learning (Machine Learning). These can be combined with elements of process modelling, creating a digital value chain. Both the physical world and the simulated world are sources for the generation of large volumes of data (Big Data).
Materialisation means that objects from the digital world can be converted to objects in the physical world, where control of physical objects using software objects is known as automation. Technologies like 3D printing combined with embedded electronics are leading to the emergence of a new generation of connected cyberphysical systems, with technologies such as OPC-UA, enabling Virtual Commissioning and new agile forms of development, in which real objects interact with simulated objects.
The worlds of IT and OT have existed side by side, sharing limited spheres of interaction, and following parallel lives. The demand for cyberphysical systems means that walls that have been in place for decades must be demolished, leading to "IT/OT convergence", which is one of the major challenges posed by Industry 4.0. The figure of the CDO (Chief Digital Officer), also known as the Head of Digital Transformation, is an emerging hybrid professional profile in today's organisation charts. A cross-sectoral approach is one of the motifs of the contemporary world, and Industry 4.0, and Fortune magazine highlights the unstoppable nature of the demand for hybrid professional profiles (Hybrid Jobs).
The main objective of the programme is to train professionals to be able to understand the difficulties and complexities of the world of Industry 4.0 in a cross-disciplinary manner. Participants will obtain the knowledge necessary to create Digital Twins applying simulation and to develop Cyberphysical Systems prototypes for Industry 4.0, using existing digital twins in productive systems and collaborative robotics, 3D printing, embedded systems and sensors to configure networked multi-agent structures, going beyond the traditional hierarchical structures typical of Industry 3.0.
Postgraduate courses:
