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Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany
*Corresponding author:Cyryl Garus, Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany
Submission: November 04, 2024;Published: December 18, 2024
ISSN: 2577-2007Volume3 Issue1
This paper critically discusses the transformative impacts of Industry 4.0 technologies, particularly automation, flexibilization, and telepresence, on the modern work environment. While these technologies promise enhanced efficiency and flexibility, they also present significant social and psychological challenges, especially concerning human autonomy, job alienation and the diminishing “sense of place.” By analyzing key technological advancements such as Machine-to-Machine communication (M2M), collaborative robots (cobots) and telepresence systems, this paper discusses how these innovations may alter the roles of workers and reshape the social fabric of labor. Furthermore, the paper highlights the ambivalence inherent in these technological developments, wherein increased flexibility can lead to new forms of precarity and alienation. Additionally, it reflects on the ecological dimensions of Industry 4.0, critiquing the narrow focus on technological sustainability at the expense of social well-being. It suggests that future work models should more effectively integrate both technological efficiency and social inclusion to foster a human-centered and sustainable work environment.
Keywords: Industry 4.0; Work transformation; Flexibility; Telepresence; Sense of place; Digital workspaces; Psychosocial impacts of automation; Sustainable work
Ph.D in Agriculture from Faculty of Agriculture, Tohoku University
Research Professor, PhD, Holistic Research Institute
Professor, Chief Doctor, Director of Department of Pediatric Surgery, Associate Director of Department of Surgery, Doctoral Supervisor Tongji hospital, Tongji medical college, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Senior Research Engineer and Professor, Center for Refining and Petrochemicals, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Fellow of International Agency for Standards and Ratings (IASR), Edith Cowan University, Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute
Chancellor Emeritus / Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Physics, University of Missouri–St. Louis
Ph.D in Science from the Federal University of Alagoas, UFAL, Brazil
Assistant Professor in College of Architecture, Art and Design
Interim Dean, College of Education and Health Sciences, Director of Biomechanics Laboratory, Sport Science Innovation Program, Bridgewater State University
Professor of numerous training courses in Family Medicine
Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Computer Science
Emeritus Professor of Physics, Kadir Has University, Turkey
Wenzhou Medical University, China
Fooyin University, Taiwan
Saglik Bilimleri University, Turkey
Vincent Pol University, Poland
National Defence University of Malaysia, Malaysia
Dogus University, Turkey
Hope College, USA
Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
Southern Cross University, Australia
Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia
City University of New York, USA
Khalifa University of Science & Technology, United Arab Emirates
Hebei Normal University, China
Alexandria University, Egypt
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
Council for Agriculture Research and Analysis of Agri Economy (CREA), Italy
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia
King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
University of Oregon, USA
University of Edinburgh, Scotland
University of Tennessee, USA
Central University of Venezuela, Venezuela
Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch, Iran
Tourin University, Italy
Teaching & Public Speaking, Spain
Paeditric Hospital "Giovanni XXIII", Italy
University of Nicosia, Cyprus
Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Spain
Oral Roberts University, USA
Beijing Normal University, China
Howard University, USA
Edith Cowan University, Australia
Dubai Health Authority, UAE
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
Serhal Hospital, Lebanon
University of Malta, Malta
National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan
Molloy College, USA
Federal University of Piauí, Brazil
Krankenhaus Nordwest Hospital, Germany
Belgorod State University, Russia
Laval University, Canada
Cinvestav-Unidad Saltillo, Mexico
UPMC Hamot Neuroscience Institute, USA
Ramon Llull University, Spain
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Lehigh University, USA
California Southern University, USA
Institute of Solid State Physics of RAS, Russia
University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Mansoura University, Egypt
King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
University of Coimbra, Portugal