Guest Editorial Introduction to the JSTQE Special Issue on Photonics for Industry 4.0

The papers in this special issue focus on photonics for the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0 (I4.0). Industry 4.0 is understood, in general terms, as any systematic work or labor to do business, trade, undertaking, manufacture, services, handicraft etc., in a particular field. As consequence, many SO could be considered inside I4.0 in which Smart Factories is just an example. Improved productivity and outputs, enhanced customization for flexible manufacturing, improved worker safety and security, remote access, access to data across the supply chain for better decision making, remote and predictive maintenance, are being or will be provided by operational SO of I4.0. The later, in general terms, will offer significant opportunities in every value chain and benefits for the manufacturing/business/service sectors and, ultimately, for the consumer.