Accenture is working with Dutch telecoms company KPN and other businesses to demonstrate the value of 5G-enabled industrial applications.
It’s part of the KPN-led Industrial 5G Field Lab Initiative based at the Shell Pernis Refinery in Rotterdam.
Accenture’s role is to develop and test industrial applications that use the power of 5G, the professional services firm explained.
The next generation of mobile networks will be much faster than previous generations – bringing a tenfold (or more) increase in wireless speeds, as well as greater capacity and low latency. This will enable new applications such as driverless cars, remote surgery and sophisticated real-time drone management.
It will also support new applications in business and manufacturing.
At the Rotterdam lab, Accenture and KPN have successfully tested a variety of industrial applications, including:
- Preventive maintenance: Using ultra-high-definition (UHD) cameras leveraging 5G to scan wide areas of connected piping. The data, collected in real-time and processed by Accenture’s digital plant corrosion analytics platform, is used to identify high-risk corrosion areas and determine the best corrective actions.
- Digital workers: Inspectors and engineers can access real-time information via augmented reality on a tablet and smart helmet. The smart helmet also provides access to multiple information streams simultaneously – including voice, high-definition video, augmented reality and digital work instructions — enabling the digital worker to connect directly with colleagues and specialists remotely to collaborate and improve decision-making.
“5G is not just another generation of connectivity; rather, it will affect and connect all of society,” said Jacob Groote, executive vice president of Business Products at KPN. “It is therefore crucial that we explore, with customers and technology partners, how 5G can optimise business processes and improve customer experience. By embracing 5G early, and with Accenture’s help, we can broaden our ecosystem to connect businesses and provide new use cases across many different industries and sectors, from agriculture and logistics to manufacturing and more.”
Connectivity is already a vital ingredient for business success. Download our Next-generation connectivity report to learn more about the opportunities that 5G will bring.
