Automation Taxonomy for Industry 4.0 based on human features: A Sensing Smart and Sustainable approach

Abstract

The latest products and services have been designed and created under Sensing, Smart, and Sustainable (S3) and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) conceptualization. Moreover, there is a strong trend to develop more products using the S3 concept; on the other hand, I4.0 is the most advanced automation scheme implemented in manufacturing systems. Yet, a taxonomy that integrates clearness, applicability, and universality in automation systems, that drives to I4.0, is still missing. Since automation systems were conceived to substitute human operators, this paper proposes a novel taxonomy based on human operator features, as a solution for bringing a clearer perspective addressing the validity of human replacement. The suggested taxonomy not only allows to select and classify but also provides a complete structure about the human features and the S3 products that are deployed in the I4.0. The derivation of this taxonomy is presented in this paper, seeking to show its advantages and limits.