The increasing digitization and connectivity present new opportunities for integrating cameras, sensors, and other networked systems in commercial vehicles. Camera and sensor systems play a crucial role in commercial vehicles, particularly in the field of driver assistance systems and safety.

There is a growing movement of energy awareness in all industries and a strong marketing push for better optimization of energy usage in industrial automation. All of the ODVA Energy Objects will need to be updated to reflect the information in a new power consumption management OPC UA specification.

Industrial Ethernet machine control continues to leverage new software innovations, AI and cloud connectivity solutions. But Industrial Ethernet is not merely a tool for connectivity. It represents a comprehensive, secure, and intelligent networking solution is merging traditional machine control with advanced data analytics.

5G and Wi-Fi6/6E wireless technologies are now enabling standard, real-time communication in control processes, which was previously reserved exclusively for wired communication or proprietary wireless solutions. This is opening up new possibilities for industrial automation and smart manufacturing operations.

The wireless exchange of data enables even the smallest devices in manufacturing systems to be easily integrated into the production network. The information from these coupled devices can then be used to improved the availability, performance and quality of the manufacturing process.

5G cellular technology is poised to bring new capabilities to smart manufacturing operations. The four releases slated for 5G included Releases 15, 16, 17 and 18 — and the latest releases each bring both significant changes and opportunities to leverage enhancements in production environments.

Industrial 5G is changing the way companies make decisions, manufacture products and maintain factories. Thanks to Industrial 5G, the MF-K factory has become an example that has proven that companies will even further increase efficiency and productivity as they implement real-world applications.

Wireless technology choices are growing led by Wi-Fi, 5G/Private 5G, sensor networks, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband and other reliable wireless technologies. These technologies offer enhancements for industrial use cases and also present new opportunities to enhance safety, security and efficiency in factory environments.

Combining 5G networks with EtherNet/IP represents a pivotal advancement in industrial automation, bolstered by the potential of Time-Sensitive Networking. This synergy promises ultra-responsive, deterministic, and broad bandwidth communication platforms uniquely suited to the multifaceted requirements of industrial ecosystems.

As renewable energy from sources including wind, solar and hydro becomes a reality rather than just an alternative for most of us in the future, we can only hope that IoT and related technologies will become the tools of choice in driving change towards more sustainable energy future.