5G-SOLUTIONS: Time-critical process optimisation inside digital factories

Overview of the 5G-SOLUTIONS Trial on time-critical process optimisation 

In smart factories, instant optimisation is key for improved production line efficiency . This need is driving increased real-time monitoring of the performance of sub-components, the measured quality variations of produced goods, interactions by operators and changing factors in the factory environment. This involves the use of sensors, some of which communicate at low bit rates but with ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliability, and also vision-controlled robot arms or mobile robots that can require reliable high-bandwidth communication. Beyond machine-type communications, we are also seeing the emergence of new scenarios for time-critical communication incorporating the collaborative functions offered by a new generation of robots, the introduction of wearables on the shop floor, and augmented reality.

More and more devices are becoming wireless and mobile, thereby requiring the transfer of “heavy” data (3D models, large historic data sets, etc.) for fast intervention, maintenance or assembly tasks. Significant volumes of information need to be shared and utilised for on-the-spot collaborative decision making. Robots and operators are collaborating in real-time, with the robot adapting to operators’ faculties when interacting with the operator’s wearables, the surrounding sensors and the machine control systems. Greater levels of automation will be facilitated with uncaged robots, augmenting the efficiency of operator tasks, increasing production yield, quality output and overall operator safety.

While the ISO 10218 standard already defines robotic collaborative operation, 5G can play a differentiating role in the case of ultra-fast and ultra-reliable access to moving objects. Adapting instantaneously variable capacity and mobility needs to changing environments requires flexible convergent and a seamless connectivity offer across different radio access technologies. This is the focus on  this 5G-SOLUTIONS trial.

Use case data summary

Locations: Brussels, Belgium; Trondheim, Norway

Dates: Q3-2020 Q2-2022

Partners involved: Proctor & Gamble; Glanbia; IRIS Tech#4.0; Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Funding reference: H2020-ICT-2018-3; ICT-19-2019 - Advanced 5G validation trials across multiple vertical industries.

Funding cycle:  June 2019-November 2022.

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