National Technology Day holds special significance for the manufacturing sector in India, as it highlights the pivotal role that technology plays in driving innovation, efficiency, and growth. This day serves as a reminder of the transformative power of technology in revolutionizing the manufacturing landscape and propelling India towards becoming a global manufacturing hub.
Raghavendra Vaidya, MD & CEO, Daimler Truck Innovation Centre India
“With technology becoming pervasive in every component, the CV industry is going through a massive digital transformation. All key features, from safety and efficiency to connectivity, automation, and sustainability, are underpinned by technology. With data availability, AI and analytics have proven a game-changer in garnering actionable insights, predictive maintenance, and a superior customer experience. It’s the era of intelligent trucks that are nothing short of a data centre on wheels and have the potential to revolutionise the way we move goods and people, making transportation safer, more efficient, and more sustainable than ever before. Today, automobiles are more than simply a mode of transportation; they are technological marvels that are reshaping the automotive industry.”
Harnessing technology for manufacturing excellence
The manufacturing sector in India has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years, with technology serving as a catalyst for progress. Advancements in automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and the IoT have revolutionised traditional manufacturing processes, enhancing productivity, precision, and quality.
Industry 4.0 and digitalization
National Technology Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the adoption of Industry 4.0 principles and the digitalization of the manufacturing sector in India. Industry 4.0, characterised by the fusion of digital technologies and physical systems, enables a new era of smart manufacturing. It encompasses concepts such as cyber-physical systems, big data analytics, cloud computing, and autonomous systems. The integration of technologies like machine learning and AI-powered algorithms has enabled predictive maintenance, optimized supply chain management, and improved overall operational efficiency. Smart factories equipped with interconnected devices and sensors are enabling real-time monitoring, process control, and data-driven decision-making, leading to significant gains in productivity, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.
Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director, Konica Minolta India
“In the information management services industry, we recognise the challenges faced by businesses due to, integration, interoperability, analytics, governance, scalability, data security and user experience. Organisations’ digitised workflow demands customised solutions, physical security monitoring, identifying anomalies in network traffic, and detecting fraudulent activity. These needs are being met by AI, IoT and ML-powered information management systems that secure the organisation’s workflow while scaling operations across departments that increase employee productivity.This National Technology Day, we are privileged to be catalysts of technological change in this industry and strive forth to identify avenues of growth for maximum efficiency.”
Innovation and Research & Development
National Technology Day encourages the manufacturing sector to focus on innovation and research & development (R&D), fostering an ecosystem that promotes cutting-edge technologies and indigenous solutions. Embracing emerging technologies and investing in R&D enables Indian manufacturers to develop unique products, improve process efficiencies, and stay competitive in the global market. Several government initiatives such as the “Make in India” campaign, the National Policy for Advanced Manufacturing, and the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) initiative have provided the impetus to the manufacturing sector by promoting indigenous manufacturing, technology upgradation, and fostering innovation.
Skill development and upskilling
As technology rapidly evolves, the workforce in the manufacturing sector needs to upskill and reskill to stay relevant. National Technology Day serves as a reminder of the importance of continuous learning and skill development in the manufacturing industry. Efforts must be made to bridge the skills gap by promoting technical education, vocational training programs, and collaborations between academia and industry.
Shrutiranjan Satpathy, CTO, Porter
“Technology has managed to streamline many processes, most of all, the matchmaking between supply and demand. The mastery of this, especially at an intracity level in major Indian cities, has made logistics far more accessible to users of all kinds in recent years. As we further explore and integrate AI into tech-enabled logistics, we expect to see more nuanced algorithms in the near future. Accessibility technologies such as voice typing, nudges and intuitive text can help even the less technologically savvy to utilise a tech platform to their advantage. Automation and robotics are also seeping their way into warehousing, which should improve efficiency and mitigate human error.”
Collaboration and partnerships
National Technology Day is an opportune time to foster collaborations and partnerships between the manufacturing sector, technology providers, and academia. Collaborative efforts can drive innovation, knowledge sharing, and the adoption of emerging technologies. Public-private partnerships and industry-academia collaborations can facilitate the transfer of technology, expertise, and resources, leading to accelerated growth and development in the manufacturing sector.
Manish Jha, CIO, Addverb
“Technological advancements have been a catalyst for disruption in businesses across various industries. By embracing emerging technologies such as robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence, we strive to develop solutions that optimize business operations and push the boundaries of what is possible. In our day-to-day lives, technology has become an inseparable part of our existence. It has transformed the way we communicate, work, and navigate through the world. National Technology Day serves as a powerful reminder for us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation. It encourages us to foster a culture of creativity, drive change, and develop technological solutions that positively impact businesses and society as a whole.”
National Technology Day serves as a catalyst to propel the manufacturing sector in India towards greater technological advancements, innovation, and global competitiveness. By embracing Industry 4.0 technologies, promoting R&D, nurturing skill development, and fostering collaborations, the manufacturing sector can continue its journey towards excellence. As India continues to embrace technological advancements and leverage digitalization, National Technology Day becomes a symbol of the manufacturing sector’s unwavering commitment to harnessing technology for growth, sustainability, and prosperity.