In the United States, the concept of "Industry 4.0" is more often replaced by "Industrial Internet." While the names differ, the underlying principles are the same: connecting virtual networks and physical entities to create a more efficient production system.

　　From a policy perspective, the US government, post-financial crisis, elevated the development of advanced manufacturing to a national strategy, aiming to reshape manufacturing through revolutionary new production methods. From an industry perspective, the formation of the Industrial Internet Consortium signaled the industry's foray into the Industry 4.0 era. Unlike Germany's emphasis on "hard" manufacturing, the US, with its advanced software and internet economy, focuses on "soft" services to drive a new industrial revolution, hoping to revitalize traditional industries using the internet and maintain the manufacturing sector's long-term competitiveness.

　　Government Strategy Drives Innovation

　　To address the new technological and industrial revolution and compete for international industrial influence, the US has prioritized revitalizing its manufacturing sector in recent years. Following the financial crisis, the US government enacted a series of bills focusing on building manufacturing innovation research centers, aiming to modernize traditional manufacturing with advanced technology and propel the US economy back onto a path of sustainable growth.

　　In April 2009, newly inaugurated President Obama announced in a speech that revitalizing manufacturing was a major strategic goal for the long-term development of the US economy. In December of the same year, the US government issued the "Framework for Revitalizing American Manufacturing," which detailed the theoretical basis and advantages of revitalizing manufacturing, becoming a strategic guide for the US's manufacturing development. The Obama administration then gradually implemented the Manufacturing Innovation Initiative through strategic planning, development paths, and specific measures.

　　In June 2011, the US officially launched the "Advanced Manufacturing Partnership," aiming to accelerate the race to secure a leading position in 21st-century advanced manufacturing. In February 2012, the "National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing" was further introduced, using positive policies to encourage the return of manufacturing companies to the US. These plans followed two main lines: adjusting and improving the structure and competitiveness of traditional manufacturing, and developing high-tech industries, proposing the development of advanced digital manufacturing technologies including advanced production technology platforms, advanced manufacturing processes and designs, and data infrastructure.

　　In March 2012, Obama first proposed building a "National Network for Manufacturing Innovation," establishing up to 45 research centers to strengthen the organic combination of industry, academia, and research between higher education institutions and manufacturing companies. In January 2013, the US President's Executive Office, the National Science and Technology Council, and the National High-End Manufacturing Program Office jointly released the "National Network for Manufacturing Innovation Preliminary Design," investing $1 billion to establish the US Manufacturing Innovation Network (NNMI) to focus on promoting the innovative development of advanced manufacturing industries such as digital manufacturing, new energy, and new materials applications, and to create a number of innovative clusters with advanced manufacturing capabilities.

　　Key research areas of this innovation network include: developing lightweight materials such as carbon fiber composites to improve the fuel efficiency, performance, and corrosion resistance of next-generation vehicles, aircraft, trains, and ships; improving standards, materials, and equipment related to 3D printing technology to achieve low-cost, small-batch production using digital design; creating a framework and methodology for intelligent manufacturing that allows production operators to gain real-time access to "big data streams" from fully digital factories to improve production efficiency, optimize supply chains, and improve the efficiency of energy, water, and material use.

　　Over the past two years, these plans have been gradually implemented. In August 2012, the US government and the private sector jointly invested $85 million to establish the "National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute." In May 2013, the US government announced $200 million in federal funding to establish three manufacturing innovation centers: the "Lightweight and Modern Metal Manufacturing Innovation Institute," the "Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute," and the "Next Generation Power Electronics Manufacturing Institute." A composites manufacturing center was also established this year in February.

　　According to the "Global Advanced Manufacturing Trends Report" released by the Wilson Center, a US think tank, the US ranks first in the world in R&D investment, with three-quarters going to manufacturing. It holds a clear advantage in advanced manufacturing areas such as synthetic biology, advanced materials, and rapid prototyping. Analysts believe that with strong government and private sector support, the US is likely to experience a new wave of technological innovation characterized by pervasive wireless network technology, extensive use of cloud computing, and large-scale development of intelligent manufacturing.

　　Industry Alliances Break Down Technological Barriers

　　Unlike Germany's Industry 4.0, which emphasizes "hard" manufacturing, the US, with its developed software and internet economy, focuses on "soft" services to drive a new industrial revolution. It seeks to leverage networks and data to enhance the value creation capacity of the entire industrial sector. The US version of Industry 4.0 is essentially an "Industrial Internet" revolution. In this process, in addition to government support, the early formation of industry alliances has become a crucial driving force for development.

　　The concept of the "Industrial Internet" was first proposed by General Electric in 2012, and subsequently, five leading US industry companies joined forces to establish the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC), promoting this concept vigorously. In addition to manufacturing giants like General Electric, members include IT companies such as IBM, Cisco, Intel, and AT&T.

　　The Industrial Internet Consortium employs an open membership system and is dedicated to developing a "common blueprint" enabling data sharing between various manufacturers' equipment. The standards of this blueprint not only involve Internet network protocols but also encompass indicators such as storage capacity in IT systems, power levels of interconnected and non-interconnected equipment, and data flow control. The goal is to break down technological barriers by setting common standards, leveraging the internet to revitalize traditional industrial processes, and better facilitate the integration of the physical and digital worlds.

　　While the establishment and final approval of these standards may take several years, once established, they will help hardware and software developers create products fully compatible with the Internet of Things. The ultimate result could be the complete integration of sensors, networks, computers, cloud computing systems, large enterprises, vehicles, and hundreds of other types of entities, driving comprehensive efficiency improvements across the entire industrial supply chain. (Yang Bo)