The low latency and enhanced carrying capabilities of the 5G networks play a vital role in this direction – helping redefine user experiences, data security, depth and speed to monitoring and analytics, and the design, implementation, and adoption of new applications.
Studies estimate that the adoption of 5G will lead to a 10 times increase in the speed of industrial communications and will help ensure a 99% safety and reliability rate in C-V2X.
This is made possible by a 5G network’s capabilities for real-time information transfer across a larger coverage area, leveraging its dedicated spectrum capabilities in the process.
When combined with on-ground 5G capabilities, these enablers help industrial users achieve their goals around smart manufacturing, real-time management, remote monitoring, and enhanced data collection.
Focus : AR/VR for production support
Result : Reliable factory information relay
Mercedes Benz partnered with Telefonica & Ericsson to open a 5G- powered automobile plant.
Focus : 5G enabled monitoring & inspection
Result : Real time insights for efficient management
Naturgy partnered with Vodafone & FuVex to inspect its power lines using remote-controlled drones.
Focus : Automated workflows & AR/VR
Result : Enabled massive data transfer
Honeywell partnered with Verizon for making smart energy grids, with remote monitoring & management.
Focus : Manufacturing process & predictive analysis
Result : Insights for operational intelligence
Ericsson to work on network operability leveraging data-driven ML & cloud native paradigm
- Dashboarding and monitoring: Industrial capabilities, combined with the heart of 5G technologies, including AML and IoT,help ensure enhanced the reliability and quality of application-specific processes in defect detection and robotic control- End-to-end synchronization: Enables efficient data delivery for real-time application positioning and mobility for warehouse connected devices- On-premises systems: Ensures increased control over communication of critical operational technology systems for enabling data and device security and improved network control
The enablers driving this planned transition journey include Seamless connectivity for information and control transfer to enable smooth navigation leveraging O-RAN architecture
This has enabled the automotive manufacturers to deliver enhanced vehicle safety, improve drive networking, streamline critical data transfers, and upgrade their navigation support systems.
Focus : Improved vehicle manoeuvring
Result : Communication of risk & hazard
Focus : Enhancing driver connectivity
Result : Platooning & cooperative driving
Focus : On-time critical information transfer
Result : Congestion & accident warnings
Focus : Communicate real-time route updates
Result : Avoiding obstacles by route planning
Scalable data transmission: Addresses diverse spectrum bands for reducing computational intensity and enabling applications like surrounding perception and real-time control switch
Network independent communications: Enables enhanced range and reliability for direct communication without any network assistance for application in scenarios like collision avoidance, safety alerts, and traffic timing
Complements ADAS: Provides a 360° sensing for ensuring higher predictability and autonomy, enabling applications in precise positioning 3D-HD maps
The emergence of 5G has resulted in a growing demand for smart data analytics to empower business decisions. This growing preference for remote monitoring capabilities and enhanced operational efficiencies has not only accelerated the requirement for intelligent self-learning paradigms and network applications, but also highlighted the growing importance of real-time automation and data analytics.
The focus here is on ensuring the following:
Predictive maintenance:
To support intelligent automation with enhanced SLA adherence, reduction in asset downtime, and an overall enhancement in cost effectiveness.
Real-time management:
In eliminating the limitations of wired connectivity and ensuring the unification of data models.
Cognitive analytics:
For ensuring self-controlling capabilities, enhanced forecasting, and improved cross-platform data management
Connected data:
For driving high density support and independent network slicing, ensuring effective asset utilization and enhanced infrastructure management.
Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) is another area where 5G is enabling operational network and business transformation. MEC, enabled by 5G, has helped transform analytics capabilities from a cloud-based platform, with relatively higher latencies, to a 5G-driven MEC solution that ensures:
The major use cases enabled by MEC include:
The combination of AI with 5G technologies has helped transform next-gen app development. These solutions leverage a flexible architecture to help streamline predictive maintenance, drive real-time decision making, and enhance resource management outcomes through lower bandwidth usage and significant cost savings. With AI enabled application in the 5G ecosystem expected to boost productivity by 35X within 2035, we can visualize its impact across two key areas – first for networks, and secondly for devices. When MEC is added to the mix, the benefits become self-evident.
