Mercedes-Benz Cars, along with Telefónica Deutschland and Ericsson, is putting in place the world's first 5G mobile network for automobile production in its "Factory 56" in Sindelfingen, Germany.
As part of an innovation project that extends over an area of more than 20,000 m², the 5G mobile communications standard is being implemented for the first time into a running production line. The experience gained at the facility will be actively incorporated into plans for future implementation in other Mercedes plants. By putting this milestone in place, the partners are ensuring that the 5G standard of the future becomes reality for Germany as an industrial base. The 5G network is being installed by telecommunications company Telefónica Deutschland in collaboration with network supplier Ericsson. Once installation and commissioning are completed, the network will be operated by Mercedes-Benz.
5G Networks and Smart Production
The use of state-of-the-art 5G network technology allows Mercedes-Benz Cars, among other things, to optimize existing production processes in its plant with the help of new features. These include, for example, the data linking or product tracking on the assembly line. With a dedicated 5G network, all processes can be optimized and made more robust.
Furthermore, the mobile communications standard links production systems and machines together in an intelligent manner, thereby supporting the efficiency and precision of the production process. A further benefit of using a local 5G network is that sensitive production data does not have to be made available to third parties.
With the 5G network, the enormous quantities of data required for various test scenarios involving the automobile of the future can be processed very quickly. The 5G mobile communications standard allows for fast data transmission rates in the gigabit range, with extremely low latency and a high level of reliability.
Powerful 5G Network with Numerous Indoor Antennas & 5G Hub
In order to reach the full capability of 5G, wireless data transmission over short distances is essential. This is only possible via a local infrastructure, as is being implemented in the Mercedes-Benz factory. With "Factory 56", the inventor of the automobile is building one of the most modern car production facilities in the world. This facility is not only consistently flexible and green, but it also uses intelligent and digitalized technologies that make it possible to harness the full potential of Industry 4.0. Machines and systems, for example, are closely networked with one another. The assembly facilities and materials-handling technology are compatible with the Internet of Things. In order to achieve this, the "Factory 56" has been equipped by the cooperation partners with several 5G small-cell indoor antennas and a central 5G hub.
