Danish Operator TDC NET and Ericsson have joined forces to explore how 5G can be used in an industrial context at water engineering firm Grundfos' plant.
Production lines operating without cables, enhanced remote presence and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) connected to a private 5G network. These were among the ingredients when Grundfos in collaboration with technology experts from TDC NET and Ericsson tested the wireless technology in one of their plants in Bjerringbro, Denmark. This was also the first time a 5G network was operated in an industrial setting in Denmark.
The pilot demonstrated the performance of 5G compared to conventional tethered connections, while also enabling mobility cases like the use of automated guided vehicles and augmented reality headsets that wired connections can’t support – and where Wi-Fi traditionally has challenges both in terms of maintaining the connectivity as the device moves or handling many devices simultaneously.
The pilot concluded in December 2020 and was supported by experts from a joint Innovation Hub, the result of a strategic partnership between TDC NET and their technology partner Ericsson.
Stéphane Simonetta, Group Executive Vice President and COO at Grundfos
The technology also enables stable virtual and remote meetings and the use of new technologies like telepresence robots and AR and VR tools. On top of that, connected devices use less energy. We see 5G technology as a true gamechanger in an industrial world where our workers and equipment will be constantly connected through digital tools.
Niclas Backlund, Head of Ericsson Denmark
Early adopters in 5G will naturally benefit faster from the technology, yet at the same time, we focus on maturing the 5G ecosystem through partnerships supporting the Danish business community in realizing the economic potential of 5G.
