Qualcomm Technologies and Bosch Rexroth AG, announced the evolution of their joint research collaboration focused on 5G technology applications for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) at MWC 2022. The joint demonstration at the Robert Bosch Elektronik GmbH factory in Salzgitter, Germany, showcases industrial automation and flexible manufacturing with time-sensitive networking (TSN), low latency, ultra-high reliability with coordinated multi-point (CoMP), and 5G precise positioning of an assisted guided vehicle (AGV) and autonomous mobile robot (AMR).
The system performs an inspection of manufactured automotive parts. An AGV with an empty storage box navigates to the AMR. The AMR selects parts from a work piece carrier and performs an optical inspection, running on the Rexroth ctrlX CORE controller. If the parts meet the inspection requirements, they are placed in an accepted storage box on the AGV. The parts that do not meet the requirements are placed in a rejected storage box next to the AMR. The time synchronized system shows two forms of manufacturing flexibility with the AGV and AMR able to move to any suitable location in the factory thanks to 5G, and with 5G positioning, the AGV can navigate precisely to the AMR. The 5G network operates in the 3.7-3.8 GHz spectrum band – the band allocated for regional and local networks in Germany.
With TSN capable 5G systems, manufacturers will be able to configure wireless and flexible factory floors, for the efficient use of factory space and time, to optimize operational efficiencies and drive cost savings. 3GPP Release 16 features will take 5G to the next level for Industry 4.0, with new capabilities such as enhanced ultra-reliable low latency communication (eURLLC) with millisecond latencies, 99.9999% reliability, and TSN support. The R&D collaboration with industrial leader, Bosch Rexroth, sets the scene for the factory of the future.
The announcement follows the companies’ other exciting research developments, which at MWC 2019 announced a joint study of radio channels in industrial environments to understand factory floor requirements and configurations, and at SPS 2019 announced a TSN and 5G proof-of-concept with two industrial devices demonstrating precise synchronization. The technologies in the system can be applied to a range of use cases in Industry 4.0 to deliver higher productivity and operational efficiency.
“We are thrilled to continue our technology collaboration with Bosch Rexroth to realize the value of 5G and IoT in industrial environments” said Enrico Salvatori, senior vice president, Qualcomm Europe. and president of Qualcomm Europe/MEA. “We are working to enable a world where everyone and everything is intelligently connected. Our end-to-end industrial IoT solutions are accelerating the digital transformation of industries, and with collaborations such as this we are laying the foundation for next generation 5G industrial automation.”
“We are proud of the collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, who have been instrumental in bringing this demo to life to showcase key 5G and TSN technologies, which are set to transform industrial automation in Industry 4.0.”, said Thomas Fechner, head of the business unit automation & electrification solutions, Bosch Rexroth.
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