Industrial automation has undergone an impressive evolution over the past 20 years, driven by advances in digital technologies, robotics, artificial intelligence and connectivity.
In this article, we explore the most significant milestones in industrial automation from 2005 to the present day.
The rise of programmable automation (2005-2010)
In the mid-2000s, industrial automation was dominated by programmable systems such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Distributed Control Systems (DCS). During this period, companies began to implement SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems to monitor and control industrial processes remotely.
During this period, the use of industrial robots also increased in sectors such as automotive and electronics manufacturing, where robotic arms optimized assembly, welding and painting processes.
Connectivity and digitization (2010-2015)
Between 2010 and 2015, digitalization began to transform industrial automation. The advent of IoT (Internet of Things) technology allowed industrial machines to be connected to networks, facilitating real-time data collection and analysis.
Industries began to adopt predictive maintenance techniques, where intelligent sensors monitored the condition of machines and prevented failures before they occurred. In addition, the development of MES (Manufacturing Execution System) software made it possible to optimize production management in factories.
Industry 4.0 and Artificial Intelligence (2015-2020)
The concept of Industry 4.0 was consolidated at this stage, integrating technologies such as Big Data, machine learning, machine vision and artificial intelligence (AI) into industrial processes. Automation no longer involved only the repetition of tasks, but also autonomous decision-making based on data analysis.
This decade also saw the emergence of cobots (collaborative robots), designed to work alongside humans without the need for safety barriers. These robots made it possible to automate tasks in smaller industries and in environments where traditional automation was too costly.
The Road to Autonomous Automation (2020-2025)
Recent years have seen an accelerated move towards autonomous automation, where machines can operate without human intervention in dynamic and unstructured environments. 5G networks have enabled improved connectivity of IoT devices, facilitating real-time remote control of machinery.
Smart factories have begun to adopt digital twins, a technology that creates a virtual representation of industrial systems to simulate and optimize operations without affecting actual production.
Mobile robotics has also advanced considerably, with the use of autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in warehouses and production lines. Companies such as Amazon have revolutionized logistics through the intensive use of automated picking and transport robots.
Industrial automation has moved from programmable, isolated systems to interconnected, intelligent and autonomous environments. In the coming years, the convergence of AI, advanced robotics and quantum computing could take automation to even more astonishing levels, driving a new era of hyper-automation and decentralized manufacturing.
In the engineering department of i-mas, we have 20 years of experience and we are specialized in the combination of artificial vision technologies, deep learning and industrial automation in production processes, which allows us to offer comprehensive solutions tailored to the specific needs of each client.
Want to learn more about our services? Contact us or visit our projects section!
