The three firms have joined the programme to co-develop individual use cases with the aim of unlocking business efficiencies through the use of advanced wireless technologies and proving the potential of 5G in a critical business sector.
The companies will be working alongside Ericsson, Digital Catapult and selected UK mobile network operators to identify smart manufacturing opportunities that focus on improvements for productivity, flexibility and connectivity in an industrial setting. 5G-powered technologies such as robotics, augmented reality (AR), condition-based monitoring, asset tracking and predictive maintenance will be used throughout the individual use cases.
As a key technology set to underpin the global transition to Industry 4.0 and drive global economic growth, the Industrial 5G Accelerator is a bespoke, challenge-led programme designed to accelerate the adoption of 5G within UK industries and help companies understand how 5G can transform products and services.
The smart manufacturing market is set to grow to $1 trillion, according to a recent report from ABI Research, with 4.3 billion wireless connections predicted by 2030.
Over a five year period, a UK-based warehouse operator that adopts private cellular enabled Industry 4.0 technologies could realise a 13% increase in gross profit margin and an operational cost saving of $220.9 million.
“Technology has a vital role to play as the world recovers from COVID-19 and 5G presents a great opportunity for the UK to boost British businesses, transform its enterprise sector and build a world leading digital economy,” said Iain Thornhill, vice president, service providers & IoT, Ericsson UK & Ireland.
Jeremy Silver, CEO, Digital Catapult, added: “We want to ensure that the best aspects of technology adoption continue post-pandemic and drive new value into our economy.
“Collaboration remains fundamental to successfully achieving this, and with the addition of these three leading industrial businesses, the Industrial 5G Accelerator is in prime position to capitalise on the best of UK manufacturing skills and innovation.”
Ian Poulett, business manager for industrial communications at Siemens Digital Industries, commented: “Industrial 5G enables the flexible factory of tomorrow. With its high data rates, reliable and powerful broadband transmission, and ultra-short latencies it will enable a significant boost in efficiency and flexibility in industrial value creation. With OFCOM creating opportunities with its shared spectrum initiative for local use this enables a wide range of sectors to use wireless connectivity to benefit their business and customers. Only with local private networks will the maximum benefit be achieved. That’s why Siemens is embracing this new communication standard right from the start and is supporting its standardisation and industrial implementation by developing a corresponding portfolio.”
Ericsson www.ericsson.com
Digital Catapult www.digicatapult.org.uk
