Abstract

COJ Electronics & Communications

Critical Reflection: Automation, Flexibilization, and Telepresence in the Workplace-An Analysis of the Ambivalences of Industry 4.0, Human- Machine Interaction and the ‘Sense of Place’

  • Open or CloseCyryl Garus*

    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: 2577-2007
Volume3 Issue1

Abstract

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

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