5G is set to open up opportunities in every industry. In Sweden, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is using 5G technology to test remote-controlled and autonomous machines.
It comes after Volvo CE partnered with Ericsson and Telia to launch Sweden’s first 5G network for industrial use at its research and development facility in Eskilstuna.
Operated with a test licence, the new network will be used to further develop solutions for remote control of construction machinery and fully automated solutions. Volvo CE also hopes the network will increase understanding of how connected machines can “create added value for the customer“.
Having 5G will help drive development in the field of automation, according to Melker Jernberg, president of Volvo CE.
The trials in Eskilstuna will include remote control of a conventional wheel loader as well as further tests of the company’s HX2 concept load carrier, he said.
“To connect business-critical machines and vehicles requires a solution that is able to handle the massive amounts of data with guaranteed connection. That is what 5G can give us,” added Anders Olsson, CEO of Telia Sweden.
Even with fully automated systems, human intervention is still needed now and again. Today’s remote-control technology has a time lag that makes it difficult to control at high speed or with high precision, but 5G will make remote control simpler and safer, Volvo CE explained.
“With extremely short response times, high capacity, and a high level of accessibility to the mobile network, commercial and standardised 5G technology can be used for applications such as remote control of heavy machinery in real time. This opens up new opportunities for greater efficiency, cutting costs and reducing risk in hazardous environments,” concluded Magnus Frodigh, head of research at Ericsson.
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Tags: automation, 5G, autonomous machines
