The Plastics and Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products, together with the assistance of the Export Development Board, conducted a two- day virtual workshop on Advanced Technology/Smart Manufacturing For The Rubber Product Industry In Sri Lanka, in December 2020. Despite the fact that the country was just raising its head from the deleterious aftermath of the first and second waves of Covid -19, the participation was beyond all expectations, thus indicating the weightage placed in keeping abreast of modern trends and moving with times by the industry community and the professionals and I presume that this is the current trend throughout the world.

As a member of the organising committee of the event and more as a hands-on person of the technologists of the not so modern generation, I realised that I was a curious and a rather passive observer of the currently fast unfolding industry scenario. The array of topics presented by local as well as overseas experts on their respective specialties was impressive. They covered Smart Energy Monitoring, IOT Built Industry Automation, Big Data Processing and applications, Conditioned based Monitoring for Maintenance, 3D/4D Printing, Virtual Product Design and Testing, Finite Element Analysis, and Product Failure Analysis.

It made me guessing with fascination, how much the information utilisation scenario in the manufacturing industry has metamorphosed during the past few decades since the times of two great discoveries/inventions, of Charles Babbage and Arthur. C. Clarke, that paved way for the evolution of the Information and Communications revolution. Charles Babbage (1791-1871) was an extraordinarily talented scientist, mathematician, economist and engineer. He is best known today - as he was in his lifetime - for inventing two types of cogwheel calculating machines, the forerunners of the modern computers. It was Arthur C. Clarke. after the crest of World War II, from his base in Stratford-On-Avon, England, as a young officer in the Royal Air Force, who dabbled in science fiction writing, floated the idea of global communications satellites in a 1945 letter to the publication Wireless World. It will be of interest to learn that the latter made Sri Lanka his second home and contributed in no small way to the development of ICT and astronomy in our country during the sixties and seventies.

As I gathered, with my rather limited knowledge of ICT, that the common features, of the modern-day innovations are generating a vast amount of real time data on all key aspects of the value chain, and interfacing between the value adding activities. Automation and reducing the dependability on the human factor has been another significant trend. Another key driver has been the necessity for reliability, agility and robustness in delivering products and services to the customer in the ever-changing customer preferences, which are again fueled willfully through product promotion and creation of new needs through massive adverting campaigns and mass communications. Companies are increasingly embracing the innovative technologies, to enable business growth, wealth accumulation, contribution to the national economies, which has helped in achieving improved quality of life, particularly in the traditionally termed developed countries.

Right through his anthropogenic evolution, Homo Sapiens or the “thinking man” has been characterised by the use of his brain to find easier and faster ways of doing things, which was an absolutely vital advantage for his survival in the primitive hostile environment. Commencing with use of stone tools, discovery of fire, and iron, this trend has continued throughout the history of mankind. During the more recent period of the last three centuries, which culminated in the Industry 4.0, some key landmarks, which reflect the quest of the mankind to better lives, through increased and efficient resource utilisation can be identified.

Revolutions

This process began in Britain in the 18th century and from there spread to other parts of the world. Although used earlier by French writers, the term Industrial Revolution was first popularised by the English economic historian Arnold Toynbee (1852–83) to describe Britain's economic development from 1760 to 1840. The first industrial revolution came with the advent of mechanisation, steam power and water power. This was followed by second industrial revolution which revolved around mass production and assembly lines using electricity. Henry Ford’s conveyor belt system was put into motion in December 1^st of 1913 in his Detroit manufacturing plant. Fully mechanised, or partially mechanised, assembly lines allowed Ford to offer a vehicle for a working family. One of his goals was to have a car that every family could own.

The car that every family would soon come to own was the Model T. His manufacturing plants would go on to produce over 15 million Model Ts and this is due almost entirely to his assembly line. In order to achieve a production of the Model T at such a high rate, he needed to break down the process of assembling the car to make it as efficient as possible to produce, while still being financially accessible.

The third industrial revolution came with electronics, IT systems and automation, which led to the fourth industrial revolution that is associated with cyber- physical systems. Some of the principles of which were the topics of the December Workshop. Generally speaking, Industry 4.0 describes the growing trend towards automation and data exchange in technology and processes within the manufacturing industry, including:

•  The internet of things (IoT)
• The industrial internet of things (IIoT)
• Cyber-physical systems (CPS)
• Smart manufacture
•  Smart factories
• Cloud computing
• Cognitive computing
• Artificial intelligence

This automation creates a manufacturing system whereby machines in factories are augmented with wireless connectivity and sensors to monitor and visualise an entire production process and make autonomous decisions. Wireless connectivity and the augmentation of machines will be greatly advanced with the full roll out of 5G

The fourth industrial revolution also relates to digital technologies that can create virtual versions of real-world installations, processes and applications. These can then be robustly tested to make cost-effective decentralised decisions. In short, this should allow for digital transformation and  for automated and autonomous manufacturing with joined-up systems that can cooperate with each other.

Black spots

It can thus be unanimously agreed that the emerging technologies have already resulted in tremendous benefits for mankind and that they have vast future potential in changing the entire human civilisation. While appreciating and accepting the usefulness of the technologies, I cannot refrain from contemplating on the black spots in the white cloth. The disadvantages of the digital technologies have been well documented throughout the world and some of these, include, data security, digital media manipulation, job insecurity, over reliance on gadgets, addiction, depersonalization, and social alienation, and stress related physical and mental illnesses and the list is not exhaustive. Diminishing of the human touch is considered by many, as a matter of grave concern, and its effect on the personal, ethical, family and social has already begun to reveal its dark side.

As an adaptive measure of the new normal mentality that followed the Covid-19 pandemic, “Social Distancing” intruded our day to day activates over the past one and half years. However, on thinking reflectively, it will be evident that Social Distancing actually had its beginnings in the first three industrial revolutions, while it got aggravated in the recent years. Dilemmas and debatable questions as to whether  dehumanisation is still progressing and what will be the outcome, if the current rate of rapid technology trend continues? These will become key challenges for the sociologists and sociopsychologists and the modern HR specialists. Prioritising automation and sub optimisation of the human resource, in the disguise of improving operational efficiency, as a business strategy of maintaining sustainability, could turn out to be short lived.

Over dependence on technology at the expense of losing the much-required human touch and interpersonal relationships, can be witnessed in many of the day-to-day activities, such as internet or online banking, bill payments, buying at super markets, home deliveries, and on-line webinars. I have personal experience of the short comings of on-line lecturing for students and on virtual workshops, which can only be utilised as a stop gap measure. As a person of the “old generation,” I find it an exhilarating experience to walk to the local bank, greet good morning to the staff, and having a friendly chat with the familiar cashier, while getting my transaction done. Some may equate such practices to lack of time management and productivity. Human interaction of this kind holds a special position in countries such as India and Sri Lanka, which has rich religious and cultural heritages, and adopting the new technologies as a panacea for improving all the aspects of efficiency and productivity in an effort be stay competitive can only be a short-term strategy.

It was Robert Frost, the American poet (1874-1963), who once philosophically remarked, “don’t ever take fence down, until you know why it was put up”

Obsolescence due to ineffective use or total non -use which we witness with machinery and equipment, may be applicable to the humans as well. It is said that the human body has about one hundred, vestigial organs, including the appendix, which have become nonfunctional, during the evolutionary process as a result on non-use and obsolescence. (TT)

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has been honoured as a Community Contribution Certified Company for the seventh consecutive year. The recognition was conferred at the 2025 Community Contribution Recognition Day event in Seoul, where the company also received a Minister of Health and Welfare’s Commendation and the highest possible ‘S’ grade. This dual accolade underscores the sustained public value and consistent performance of its social responsibility programmes.

The certification itself is a rigorous evaluation administered by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea National Council on Social Welfare. It involves a comprehensive review based on ESG Principles, spanning multiple evaluation areas and numerous detailed indicators. In the latest assessment, the company excelled particularly in environmental management, earning recognition for its robust sustainability and carbon-neutral practices. Its diverse community initiatives, which are developed through long-term regional partnerships and extensive employee volunteerism, were also highly commended for building a stable and effective collaborative framework with local communities.

This ongoing commitment has been strategically reinforced following the establishment of the HS Hyosung Group in 2024. Under the new slogan ‘Value, Together’, the company has redefined its approach to social contribution. Its efforts are now organised around three core pillars: providing support for vulnerable groups, fostering the advancement of local communities and culture and promoting eco-friendly initiatives.

H S CHO, Vice Chairman, HS HYOSUNG, said, “Receiving the Minister of Health and Welfare’s Commendation and the highest ‘S’ grade is the result of our longstanding commitment to putting ‘Value, Together’ into action within our communities. We will continue to carry out diverse social contribution initiatives as a responsible company that grows together with local communities.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Toyo Tires has become a member of the Global Data Service Organisation for Tyres and Automotive Components (GDSO). This international non-profit is dedicated to creating universal data standards for tyres and auto components. Through this collaboration, Toyo Tires will intensify its efforts to establish industry-wide systems for tyre identification and traceability, which are crucial for modern supply chains.

A core component of this initiative involves the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. This wireless system allows for non-contact identification of individual tyres, which significantly improves the accuracy and efficiency of quality assurance and inventory management processes. By building a comprehensive database of its products, Toyo Tires will enhance information reliability across the entire industry.

The data accumulated through RFID will be instrumental in developing high-value-added services, particularly within the company’s solution business such as retreading and maintenance programmes. This strengthens information management throughout a tyre's entire life cycle. Furthermore, this technological adoption supports Toyo Tires' broader commitment to sustainability. By proactively leveraging digital tools like RFID, the company aims to reduce its environmental impact while simultaneously enhancing its corporate value and advancing the development of more sustainable tyres.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hankook Tire, the exclusive rally-tyre supplier for the FIA World Rally Championship, is all set to provide tyres for all competitors in the championship's dramatic 2025 season finale, Rally Saudi Arabia. Taking place from 25 to 29 November in the Jeddah region, this decisive event marks the WRC's inaugural visit to the country. The rally’s route, centred around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, comprises approximately 319 kilometres of competitive action across 17 special stages, presenting a completely new challenge for teams and drivers.

This new Middle Eastern challenge demands a tyre capable of mastering a vast spectrum of conditions. The stages combine long, fast desert sections with technically demanding rocky terrain, all subject to sharp temperature swings, blowing sand and unpredictable micro-climates. Hankook will equip the crews with its Dynapro R213, an extreme all-terrain rally tyre engineered specifically for such rough and unpaved surfaces. Available in Hard and Soft compounds, it features a robust casing and a specialised tread pattern to deliver stable grip, crisp steering response and reliable impact absorption at high speeds, all while managing heat buildup for consistent long-stage performance.

The rally also serves as the setting for the championship's climax. The Drivers' Championship will be settled in Jeddah, with Toyota GAZOO Racing's Sébastien Ogier having narrowed the gap to leader Elfyn Evans to just three points after his recent victory in Japan. This sets the stage for a final, high-stakes showdown where tyre strategy and durability will be as critical as outright speed, focusing the global motorsport world on the Saudi desert.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Giti Tire has intensified its AdvanZtech EV Ready initiative with the introduction of the GitiWinterW2, a winter tyre engineered to perform on battery-electric vehicles, hybrids and traditional internal combustion engines. This new product, available for the 2025/26 winter season, is the first winter-specific offering within this specialised tyre line. The range is comprehensive, encompassing 17 different sizes to fit rims from 15 to 20 inches, making it suitable for a wide array of vehicles from the compact Fiat 500e to the Tesla Model 3 and popular SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan and Volvo XC60 PHEV. Each tyre is marked with a distinct sidewall logo to guide consumers towards the correct application for their vehicle type.

The development of the GitiWinterW2 focused on achieving a balance of critical performance attributes. Engineers prioritised managing the high torque output of electric vehicles for superior control while simultaneously minimising rolling resistance to help extend driving range. This technical development was accomplished without sacrificing the essential safety and handling characteristics required for winter driving in snow and wet conditions. The manufacturer emphasises that the final product delivers a quiet, comfortable and secure driving experience.

This winter tyre joins the existing summer patterns, the GitiSportS2 and GitiSynergyH2, which were originally launched in August 2024 under the same AdvanZtech EV Ready strategy. All three tyre lines are the result of research and development conducted through Giti's global AdvanZtech system, with significant work carried out at their European Research & Development Centre located in Hannover, Germany.

Fabio Pecci-Boriani, Deputy General Manager – Product Planning PCR and LTR, Giti Tire R&D Centre (Europe), said, “The Giti brand was among the first in the mid-market to introduce an EV ready concept, ensuring maximum flexibility and product clarity for dealers and peace of mind for drivers. As is proven, winter can have an impact on the performance of part-electric and electric vehicles with lower temperatures reducing battery range and immediate torque levels being tricky on slippery roads; the Giti AdvanZtech EV ready GitiWinterW2 goes a long way to addressing these issues.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!