12. Internet of Things Applications and Use Cases in the Era of Industry 4.0

The advent of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has pioneered a global revolution that is transforming the industrial world. This technological transformation toward a digitalized and connected world improving manufacturing process and production lines with more efficiency, higher capacity, increased worker safety and better return on investment compared to traditional industrial techniques. With the Fourth Industrial Revolution already underway, companies and organizations are swiftly moving toward smart factories, smart workforce, integrated machines and intelligent operations through the use of advanced technologies such as IIoT, cloud computing, cyber-physical systems, artificial intelligence and big data analytics. This chapter explores a variety of IIoT use cases in areas such as manufacturing, automotive, transportation, preventive maintenance production lines, etc. We examine a variety of real-life examples from the industrial sector where companies and organizations have successfully implemented IIoT-based solutions in their factory ecosystems with excellent results. With the global industrial sector advancing toward digitalization and automation, IIoT-based solutions will help to drive digital transformations and thereby create a better future.