5G in robotics and for local solutions

At the Hannover Messe, the companies Sick and Ericsson showed a wireless robot working together with a human in real time. What are the benefits of 5G and how can it be used?

What is little known is that companies can apply for local frequencies from the Federal Network Agency. As a result, they can operate their own 5G network. They can then install the infrastructure on their premises and exchange data at high speed instead of using WLAN, make calls with mobile devices without a cell phone contract (roaming then applies outside the premises) and track everything in real time. Of interest here is also that there are now cheap GPS trackers with minimal energy consumption. Attached to a container, they transmit for up to 10 years and it is always known where the goods are (goods A in container B and container B is always tracked).

Data transmission to robots is just as problem-free. Until now, this was possible by means of a Lan cable, but there are quite a few known cases in which the cable had to be replaced regularly because it broke as a result of the frequent and violent robot movements.

At the Hannover Messe, the main advantage of 5G was demonstrated: The extremely low latency (immediate data transmission). The latency makes it possible to detect humans using sensors, as Sick demonstrated. The human approaches the robot and the robot is only stopped when the human is directly at the robot. This enables new human-robot collaborations and can increase the speed of the cobot.

Against this backdrop, it is not surprising that Audi wants to set up an in-plant 5G network for MRK.

Info: The author will be happy to put you in touch with one of the leading 5G implementers. Mail suffices.

The author of this blog is available for a walk through your production/manufacturing(detail) to then provide specific cobot suggestions incl. funding opportunities. Both SMEs and large companies are visited. The track record is remarkable.