A dedicated 5G network from Telia is supporting automated guided vehicles, augmented reality (AR) and environmental monitoring at Ericsson’s manufacturing facility in Tallinn, Estonia.
The new network delivers the capacity, customisation and control needed to scale and secure the connected factory, improving manufacturing operations, Ericsson said.
Automated guided vehicles deliver product components from the warehouse to production lines. These vehicles communicate with the control system, provide a live stream of data and video, and use the dedicated network to open doors.
AR is used for troubleshooting at the Tallinn factory, providing an interactive method for the quality control and testing of electronics components. By using AR glasses or terminals, the troubleshooter gets an overlay which gives them access to all manuals, instructions and collective knowledge of other troubleshooters, allowing them to quickly identify potential problems. Field tests have shown a 50% reduction in time spent on troubleshooting circuit boards when using AR.
Ericsson has also deployed a “huge number” of mobile sensors at the factory to measure moisture, temperature, noise, light and carbon dioxide. The goal is to provide employees with a safe and healthy work environment while minimising the risk of production defects, the company explained. The dedicated cellular network has the capacity to handle thousands of sensors, and allows them to be relocated as the layout of the factory evolves.
Commenting on the factory digitalisation, Lars Ottoson, head of supply site Tallinn, said: “Mobile networks meet the requirements to support diverse smart manufacturing use cases, making it possible to securely and efficiently optimise manufacturing processes. They allow massive real-time data collection and analytics and intelligent automation on the factory floor, solving operational challenges and creating a more sustainable, efficient and safer production environment.”
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Tags: AR, Augmented Reality, Automated Vehicles, 5G
