Brazil’s auto industry adopting robotics as part of the 4th Industrial Revolution

Global Business

The fourth industrial revolution is underway all over the world a combination of technologies bringing together physical and digital systems The so-called ‘Internet of Things’ is a big part of it.

In Brazil, some businesses are already working to transition into Industry 4.0.

CGTN’s Paulo Cabral visited an auto-parts plant in the countryside of Sao Paulo state where changes are at full steam.

The 4th Industrial Revolution is not always visible at first glance. At the Sabo Autoparts manufacturing plant in Mogi Mirim, Brazil, the robotic arms in assembly lines suggest it is a modern, high-tech plant but the automation itself came about in the so-called 3rd Industrial Revolution – back in the 1960s. But look closer at their Wi-Fi transmitters hint that the plant is going 4.0. Machines are communicating among themselves – exchanging data to optimize the production of auto parts.

In the back office, 3D printing also plays an important role at the factory, reducing costs and shortening the time from modeling to production.

“I think so far we have accomplished about 40 percent of our vision of what it means to be a 4.0 Industry. And we have a plan extending to 2024 to guide us into the 4th Industrial Revolution,” Ricardo Avila, Industrial Director at Sabo Autoparts said.

The government said Brazil’s participation in the 4th industrial revolution is key for its long term future development. But authorities admit that the Brazilian business environment still needs to be improved for the country to make the most of it.

At the latest World Economic Forum on Latin America, held in Sao Paulo, the government unveiled its Industry 4.0 Initiative – which includes more than seven-and-a-half million dollars in public and private funding for the development of innovative projects – plus credit lines topping $2 billion for qualifying businesses. Officials said they’re being mindful of the presidential election, set for October.

“We’ll leave a basis so the next government doesn’t have to begin from scratch. First thing is making Brazil’s business environment less complicated. But that’s not something that happened overnight. It’s a constant struggle for improvement. One thing we really need to tackle as soon as possible is tax reform.” added Guto Ferreira, President of the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development.

“Some sectors are already well advanced and in position to adopt these new technologies but I still think the country needs to move faster into the 4th Industrial Revolution than it did in the past when faced with great economic shifts,” Marcelo Cypriano, Brazil Investment Link researcher, University of Sao Paulo said.

Technology is advancing at an unprecedented speed – and the pressure is on all countries of the world to embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution. To lag behind risks being left behind.