The 4th Industrial Revolution: Where are we in history?

By Bardia Nezhati, PE, PTOE

Co-authored by Jackie Kuechenmeister, AICP

What is the 4^th Industrial Revolution?

We are in the midst of the 4^th Industrial Revolution, which is the convergence of and the interaction between emerging technologies. Unlike the three industrial revolutions that came before (steam and water power, electricity and assembly lines, and computerization), this industrial revolution is unfolding within and around us, pushing beyond new forms of mechanization and challenging our ideas about what it means to be human.

This revolution focuses on merging information and technology with intelligence and human actions, such as genome editing, augmented reality, robotics, autonomous vehicles, and 3D printing. The technologies that we deploy during this revolution will fundamentally change many aspects of human life: redefining our identities, our economy, and the communities we live in.

Internet of Things

A defining element of the 4^th Industrial Revolution is the “Internet of Things (IoT)” – the networking of machines and vehicles which enables them things to connect, interact and exchange data. The IoT involves extending Internet connectivity beyond standard devices, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets, to any range of traditionally “dumb” or non-internet-enabled physical devices and everyday objects. Embedded with technology, these devices can communicate and interact over the Internet, and they can be remotely monitored and controlled.

Learn More

Parametrix recently hosted a summit focused on the 4^th Industrial Revolution. In this multi-part series, we’ll be discussing this revolution and how it will change what we do as engineers, planners, and scientists.