Grabbing the opportunity: Fourth Industrial Revolution

Fig 1: The steam powered machine

It was mid nineteenth century when steam engine was developed in Great Britain; this was the first industrial revolution. The involvement of people shifted from hand production methods to the machine production methods. Machines assisted humans in producing the goods and products. The operation of factories such as: metal, chemical and textile factories became more efficient and these eventually led to huge increase in the turnover. The country was economically reinforced. Now, Britain became the center of world economy. Quickly, other European countries and North America followed the path of Great Britain. This resulted in economic development of whole of the Europe and North America.

Fig 2: Ford Assembly Line

Likewise, with the refinement of the technology, which used electric power, and the desire for making the automobile accessible to common people, Henry Ford in the beginning of twentieth century in United States of America started mass manufacturing production plant of the Ford Automobile. Even though Ford did not invent the auto mobile, his leadership in developing mass production plant decreased the price of the automobile to a decent amount. It was first time in the history that common people could afford an automobile. This was the second industrial revolution. Similar such assembly lines for mass production were copied by industries thorough out America and later in Europe. The United States of America grasped this opportunity first and hence became the economic power house supplanting the Great Britain, which previously occupied this position.

Fig 3: Conceptual diagram of Internet

Again, the digital revolution, which is the third industrial revolution, took place in United States of America during 1970s. This eon distinguished itself as the transition from the analog devices to the digital ones. The invention of personal computers, information and communication technologies and the internet characterized this revolution. The previously mechanized operations were, now, automated by the aid of computers. This, further, sped up the manufacturing process increasing the revenue. Similarly, the business which used to be limited in scope, now, enjoyed the bigger market as a result of the easy and wide communication. For instance, people in Nepal could have access to the Apple mobile phone, which was designed in United States and manufactured in China. None of this would have been possible, had there not been the invention of information and communication technology. Moreover, the democratization of the information as a corollary of internet, took place during this era. The courses taught in Massachusetts Institute of Technology could easily be accessed through the YouTube, a video sharing platform. For a second time, as this revolution started in USA, most of the American business got the first hand in this. The economic power remained in the USA itself. European countries recognized these technologies shortly and secured respectable economic positions. Most recently, China and India are adopting these advancements. As a consequence of their step, their economy is sharply rising. These two countries are, currently, considered the emerging economic power houses.

Fig 3: Bionics arm functioning as real arm

Contemporarily, the world is at the end of the digital revolution. The fourth industrial revolution is on its way as a baby of the third industrial revolution. Unlike previous revolutions, it is going to be a combination of the technological advancement in diverse fields: from the biology to the computer science. The advancement in the field of Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Manufacturing Robots, Three Dimensional Printing, Bionics and Cloud Computing to name some have already shown that fourth industrial revolution is at our door step. The fourth industrial revolution will be consumer oriented. The services and goods produced will be customized according to the need of the person. The industries will be located within the locality where it is consumed, which is contrast to the present trend. There will be yet another economic shift. The present place of economic power centers may be substituted by the emerging economies.

Fig 4: Google's Self Driving Car

Fig 5: Demonstration of 3-D printing

Nonetheless, this technological progression is still in its puerile stage. This is an opportunity for developing countries like Nepal. With the state of demographic dividend in the country this can't be more favorable. Again, the recent political change has brought optimism among the people. The basic requirement of stable, managed and mature political environment is likely to be achieved. Though, the political transition of roughly six decades has polluted most of the administrative sector, the progress in the cleansing of those seems to be encouraging. It is high time for Nepal to concentrate on its economy and upgrade it. Most importantly, people should understand that it is not the struggle against the caste and creed that they should immerse themselves on, it is the rebellion against the old technology that the people should focus their attention to. A quick glance to the history shows that the development of new technologies have always shifted the economy from one community to another, this can a good chance. More precisely, the fourth industrial revolution is likely to bring an economic earthquake, of course a positive one.

Fig 6: Nepal as a economic Super Power

 Thus, the Nepalese government must comprehend the current situation and the demand. Programs such as incorporating the courses educating the technologies, as mentioned above, in the schools and universities is a step that must be taken immediately. For instance, the coding should be made compulsory in the school level, as it is the language of the future. Similarly, proper ways of attracting the Nepalese youth living abroad should be carefully thought of and should be executed. In addition to that entrepreneurship should be encouraged. The entrepreneurs should be provided with incentives and environment where they can operate expediently. This should not be limited to paper only; concrete actions should be taken for this. Let’s not miss this window of opportunity. 

Pratik Raj Pahari
Civil Engineer
12/28/2017