5G for Manufacturing & Industrial Automation

5G offers a faster mobile network, with decreased latency, higher data capacity and greater reliability. For industrial systems, this means an improved ability to respond and interact.

Mass Machine Communications

5G enables industrial manufacturing to connect more machines, sensors, actuators and edge devices to the internet and each other. This means a factory brimming with multifaceted wireless communication, increasing efficiency and autonomous capability.

A Faster IoT System

5G’s low latency and high bandwidth supports increased and real-time data flow. This makes industry’s IoT system of data collection, conversion and transfer faster, more reactive and more reliable. Faster data flow increases response time between sensors and actuators. Acquisitions systems can process more data faster and internet gateways can do the same with data transfer. 5G allows edge devices to operate at greater distances, compute data more quickly and with more reliable connectivity. Data can be downloaded from the cloud more efficiently, but data centers will need to be prepared for increased data storage.

Remote Control & 5G

Remote monitoring and control are often used in hazardous situations, like the oil and gas industry. 5G enhances remote connectivity and reliability, improving safety and allowing for more remote implementation. Monitoring and control can become technologies of convenience, empowering remote work options, as industry turns to increased automation.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) requires large amounts of data to make real time decisions. By increasing the processing power of IoT systems, 5G in turn increases AI capabilities. 5G could enable AI smart factories where floor production is controlled with little human intervention. AI will be faster and more precise in predicting issues in supply chains and detecting operational inefficiencies.

5G & Robotics

Automotive and other industries employ robots to work side by side with humans. 5G enables these robots to process more information and make faster decisions. This improves a robot’s safety sensing capabilities and reactions. Robots can also perform more precise movements with greater location accuracy. Software updates to robotic functions will be faster and easier, and AI robotic intelligence will be improved.

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are used in industry for training, machine maintenance guidance, remote operations, data visualization and design creation. These technologies require large amounts of data and bandwidth. 5G makes these technologies run smoother and with greater connectivity, supporting use across the factory floor, empowering workers with visual tools. As AR and VR become more widely implemented so will the use of digital twins.

Supply Chain

5G supports greater visibility on the supply chain, which manufacturing relies on. Greater connectivity means greater capabilities for tracking and tracing, improving logistics. These capabilities extend inside the factory as well, allowing for greater asset tracking, product monitoring and project management. 5G supports combining these systems, allowing a product to be tracked through production, packaging, pick-up, transition and delivery. Such real-time tracking supports fewer lost shipments, worry-free shipping and more satisfied customers.