With Industry 4.0 gaining momentum, the manufacturing sector is rapidly embracing digitalization, automation, and intelligence to reduce labor reliance and enhance production efficiency. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has further accelerated this transformation, presenting manufacturers with revolutionary opportunities.
Industrial PCs (IPCs) play a key role in digitalization and automation, and IPC vendors see AI integration as the next growth catalyst. They are leveraging their market expertise to capitalize on the growing demand for smart manufacturing solutions.
However, industry experts argue that while AI offers potential, the smart manufacturing sector is still primarily focused on digitalization and automation. More real-world applications are needed before AI can gain significant traction. By contrast, the service sector may adopt AI faster due to immediate market demand.
From automation to AI-driven applications, IPC manufacturers agree that the rising complexity of manufacturing processes will drive demand for powerful hardware and integrated software solutions. IPC vendors are now focusing on multi-platform solutions to meet these needs, offering more comprehensive hardware-software environments.
AI's role in smart manufacturing: benefits and challenges
According to Alexander Su, president of DFI Inc., global manufacturing faces labor shortages due to aging populations and industrial shifts. Although intelligent manufacturing has been discussed since Industry 4.0 emerged, progress has mostly been limited to automation. Yet, automation alone has already delivered significant benefits, raising expectations for the next step toward AI-driven intelligence.
Chuan-te Lee, chairman of Aplex Technology, noted that the evolution from Industry 4.0 to AI represents a steady accumulation of technological advancements, each stage laying the groundwork for the next. Similarly, Ethan Huang, general manager of the IoT Solution & Technology Business Unit at Adlink Technology, emphasized that while industry players have explored intelligent manufacturing, actual applications remain limited. However, new technologies are paving the way for rapid advancements in smart manufacturing, which will benefit both manufacturers and IPC vendors.
Despite AI's versatility, Shao-chou Hsueh, senior vice president at Aaeon Technology, highlighted manufacturers' reluctance to fully adopt AI due to concerns about process sensitivity and data security. However, AI can be quickly introduced for tasks like inspections, where the tolerance for error is higher.
Ihen Tsai, manager at Advantech's WISE-IoT iFactory, believes that a distributed architecture can decentralize computing power and integrate domain-specific knowledge at each level. This approach simplifies complexity and allows for quicker decision-making, enabling AI benefits to materialize faster. With the rise of edge computing, IPC vendors have new opportunities to develop small-scale computing, transmission, and security solutions.
The shift to hardware-software integration
As demand for AI in manufacturing grows, IPC makers can no longer rely on system integrators (SIs) alone. With application requirements becoming more complex, vendors must offer hardware-software integrated solutions. According to DFI's Su, this shift doesn't replace SIs but provides a complete platform for faster field application deployment.
Ethan Huang from Adlink pointed out that while Intel's platforms have dominated the IPC market, the rise of AI-driven demand has attracted chipmakers like Nvidia, NXP, and Qualcomm, who are eager to enter the industrial sector. IPC vendors must now adopt multi-architecture platforms to meet the evolving needs of industrial applications.
Customization and equipment integration: challenges ahead
The diversification of chip options presents a challenge for manufacturers, as integrating data from different equipment and protocols remains complex. IPC vendors, experienced in field applications, must now address the need for AI-based production line recognition and data integration for decision-making. While standardized products have historically met user needs, AI's growing maturity demands more customized hardware and integrated software solutions.
IPC vendors such as Advantech, Adlink, DFI, Aaeon, NexAIoT, and Aplex are already developing multi-platform solutions to meet diverse industry needs. By offering differentiated solutions, they hope to create added value and stand out in the competitive market.
Data, models, and expertise: keys to unlocking smart manufacturing
While AI is pushing the industry toward smart manufacturing, Bryan Lan, vice president of the Asia sales division at Neousys Technology, argues that its impact remains limited without the integration of data, models, and domain knowledge. For applications like automated optical inspection (AOI) and autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), AI can boost efficiency.
However, in many cases, data alone fails to deliver results without proper models and expertise. Lan emphasized that combining these three elements is essential for accelerating the adoption of smart manufacturing.
Article translated by Willis Ke
