IoT (Internet of Things) is not limited to tech giants like Amazon, Facebook and Google . Various automation solution providers are working on 5G implications in industrial applications which seems promising in this Covid-19 situation , but where we lag is not only the implications, its the unwillingness of workers to switch from conventional methods as they see it as an extra burden.
What to aspect?
I am very positive about the future as the cutting edge technological advancements can take industrial atmosphere to a new level where no person has to do any physical task as they can work from anywhere while connecting their robotic droid online just with few clicks and can perform physical as well as precise tasks with just a few hand gestures.
Practical Applications in 2020
Do you fell "It still seams very unrealistic". Let me give you some insights.
IoT is not new . Its everywhere , even in your phone, you can control your home appliances or start your car with your phone.
IoT Data Loggers log your machine parameters online to a .xls file which can be monitored from anywhere whenever you want.
Data like temperature, tool wear, machine run time, parts produced, reject count, quality analysis. etc can be assed by engineers any time and thus can help to achieve lean manufacturing by eliminating downtimes and analyzing the machine performance over time slots.