Bosch’s first-ever 5G campus that’s based in Stuttgart-Feuerbach, Germany is going live as the company continues its 5G research to further Industry 4.0.
Through the 5G plant, Bosch will develop 5G-capable products and launching its first solutions for industrial use. The company aims to manufacture under previously unheard-of conditions, with data being transferred extremely reliably and ultra-fast, and machines reacting almost instantaneously. For the first time, wireless implementation will be possible for critical applications that require absolute precision and safety. Without exception, people and machines will be able to cooperate safely and without barriers.
“5G strengthens our competitiveness and lets us make even more of Industry 4.0’s potential,” said Dr. Michael Bolle, board of management member and CDO/CTO, Bosch. “We will gradually roll 5G out to our roughly 250 plants around the world.”
Capgemini has found that 65% of industrial companies worldwide plan to deploy 5G within the first two years of availability. Bosch is developing solutions to meet this demand.
“We have a clear vision of the factory of the future, and how we need to develop our products to meet its requirements. In this context, 5G is a ‘springboard innovation,’ a technology that will fundamentally change the market,” said Rolf Najork, the member of the Bosch board of management responsible for industrial technology.
At the Hannover Messe 2019, the company presented its ActiveShuttle, whose 5G capability and intelligent software allow it to integrate into intralogistics operations smoothly and safely. 5G also plays an important role in control technology.
Bosch Rexroth’s ctrlX Automation platform was designed for 5G from the outset.
“We are forging new paths and bridging the gap between control systems, IT, and the Internet of Things. Our new control technology will use the new mobile communications standard to connect a wide range of devices,” said Najork.
SEE ALSO: How can businesses realise the benefits of 5G?
5G is making inroads not only into manufacturing industry, but also into healthcare, agriculture, mobility, and urban development.
Experts estimate that there will be up to 70 billion connected devices worldwide by 2025, ranging from industrial robots and autonomous cars to sensors that provide information about the nutrient content or moisture level of arable soils. The new mobile communications standard plays a major role in this and is becoming a competitive factor.
Bosch started its research into 5G as early as 2014. The company has introduced projects such as 5G NetMobil, which shows how to achieve fully connected driving and how modern communications technology can make it safer. Meanwhile, the international 5G-SMART association is investigating the potential effects 5G will have on complex semiconductor production. These findings are being incorporated into the planning of 5G networks. Moreover, Bosch now chairs the 5G-ACIA initiative, whose more than 70 member companies aim to shape 5G so that it meets the needs of manufacturing industry from the outset. As a leading IoT company that offers solutions for connected mobility, the smart home, and connected industry, Bosch sees 5G as a driver of future business.
