NEWSLETTER-2017

382 NEWSLETTER 2017 focus on a single duty, machines and robots that switch between differ- ent modes, and which engage in personalized and flexible production, shall play an essential role during this revolution. Internet of Things, Self-Learning Robots, Smart Factories In the flexible production process that the Industry 4.0 shall provide, the machines and robots in the production process will com- municate with each other and people, as we communicate on various platforms through smartphones via internet. As the smart refrigerator sends messages to our phones when it runs out of an ingredient, these machines will also be able to communicate for the repair of a break- down in their systems. These factories, where machines communicate and analyze, are called smart factories. The ultimate goal of smart factories is, by means of advanced automation, to transfer human power to different areas, and to pace toward the lights-out manufacturing where production is carried out by robots without the need of lighting. A smart factory ex- ample is the Speed Factory established by Adidas, one of the world’s largest sporting goods manufacturers. In this factory, production is made with high-tech machines and 3D printers, and it has only 160 workers, while in peer factories, there are thousands 2 . The internet of things may not only affect the production process, but also every step of the supply chain. For example, a digital currency system called blockchain uses cryptographically chaining blocks of data together to make payments between two entities without the need of an intermediary. Now this new method allows us to execute online smart contracts. Furthermore, Industry 4.0 cause an evolution in the supply chain by introducing intelligent and inter-networking machines, resulting digital supply networks capable of capturing data to inform each other. It is accepted that Industry 4.0 shall have great impact on both workforce and organizational structure in the near future, and that 2 Please see: http://www.economist.com/news/business/21714394-making- trainers-robots-and-3d-printers-adidass-high-tech-factory-brings-production- back(access date: 29.06.2017).