Ericsson, TIM and Comau, are showing at MWC 2018 their cloud robotics solution, as a first implementation result of ‘5G for Italy’ collaboration agreement, signed last year, to explore the potential of 5G through a series of use cases related to the development of innovative services and solutions on Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing enabled by 5G technologies.
At MWC 2018, Ericsson, TIM and Comau demonstrate the benefits of 5G-based industrial virtualization through a pioneering proof of concept implemented in Italy – which is the first and concrete result of a year of collaboration - and now brought to Barcelona, showcasing the factory of the future, that will be realized through the digitization of the manufacturing process and plants, which will be enabled by 5G networks and all their building blocks.
Through the combination of TIM and Ericsson's leadership in 5G networks and technologies and Comau's leadership in automated manufacturing solutions, this collaboration aims to prove the benefits of advanced solutions adoption for industrial automation.
Industry 4.0 is expected to be one of the major 5G use cases in terms of business potential, as it leverages on 5G technologies, robotics, machine learning, IoT platforms, Cloud and Big Data solutions to bring, increased competitiveness and efficiency for smart manufacturing, maintenance and quality control.
Guaranteed real-time communication between humans, robots, factory logistics and products is a fundamental prerequisite of the Industry 4.0 concept.
Making good products is important for the success of a manufacturer, but it is not enough to be profitable and to sustain business. Improving the efficiency of a manufacturing system through automation is the key.
The factory of the future could consist of flexible production islands, able to realize different types of building blocks, without the rigidity of conveyors and with truly standard robotized working stations.
The first results, coming from the ‘5G for Italy program’ cooperation between Ericsson, TIM, Comau and the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies show that - with its standardized networking capabilities, built-in security, guaranteed grades of service, as well as distributed cloud and network slicing concepts - 5G is a perfect tool for advanced industries that want to take advantage of digital transformation.
Federico Rigoni, Country Manager, Ericsson Italy, says: “As a leader in 5G infrastructure - including cloud technologies, big data analytics and IT capabilities - Ericsson is well placed to take a leading role in this transformation and partner with industries to develop solutions that are tailored to fit their needs. Our fruitful collaboration with TIM, Comau, and the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies of Pisa, is the first step.”
Mario Di Mauro, TIM Chief Strategy Officer, stresses the importance of the results: ‘’Nowadays all industries are experiencing a deep ICT-driven transformation. Our strategy aims to make 4.0 Industry a reality in Italy, and this collaboration with Ericsson and Comau is an important milestone to prove how digital and industrial plants can leverage on the potential of 5G. Moreover, in its first year the ‘5G for Italy’ initiative has successfully built up a solid business network ecosystem which will bring value to all the partners in diverse industries, boasting TIM’s commitment for Italy as one of the leaders in its digital transformation towards becoming a Gigabit society.”
Mauro Fenzi, Comau CEO, focuses on the importance of the project: “The digitized factory operations have accelerated the transformation of the manufacturing industry from mass production to personalized customization. 5G technology makes it possible to optimize the manufacturing process, detect quality issues early to prevent defects and make continuous improvements, while carrying out predictive and preventive maintenance. The combination of wireless sensors and high-capacity communication networks, such as 4G and 5G, plays a key role in this context by enabling data collection from the shop-floor level (production lines) and data transfer to cloud systems for continuous monitoring and control. This collaboration enables us to develop the technological infrastructures for the communication networks of the 'Factory 4.0'”.
Comau
Comau, a member of the FCA Group, is a worldwide leader in delivering advanced industrial automation products and systems. Combining innovative engineering solutions with enabling technologies, Comau helps companies leverage the full potential of digital manufacturing.
In addition to a vast range of modular, flexible and highly-configurable products, Comau offers interconnected digital service solutions able to transmit, elaborate and analyze important machine and process data, thereby increasing efficiency for smart manufacturing. The full portfolio includes: joining, assembly and machining solutions for traditional and electric vehicles, robotized manufacturing systems, a complete family of robots with extensive range and payload configurations, autonomous logistics, and asset optimization services with real-time monitoring and control capabilities. The offering also extends to project management and consultancy, IoT services, and maintenance and training for a wide range of industrial segments.
Headquartered in Turin, Italy, Comau has over 45 years of factory-proven experience and an international network of 36 locations, 15 manufacturing plants and 5 innovation centers that span 17 countries and employ more than 9,000 people. A global network of distributors and partners allows the company to respond quickly to the needs of customers of all sizes, no matter where they are located throughout the world. Comau is also committed to improving human - machine collaboration by developing competencies through the formation of individuals and groups as part of its open automation approach. This includes hands-on training programs by Comau Academy that develop the technical and managerial competencies necessary to face the challenges and opportunities of Industry 4.0.
ERICSSON
Ericsson enables communications service providers to capture the full value of connectivity. The company’s portfolio spans Networks, Digital Services, Managed Services, and Emerging Business and is designed to help our customers go digital, increase efficiency and find new revenue streams. Ericsson’s investments in innovation have delivered the benefits of telephony and mobile broadband to billions of people around the world. The Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and on Nasdaq New York.
About TIM
TIM Group is Italy’s leading ICT company, supporting the country’s “Digital Life”. TIM’s offer is built on top quality and maximum dissemination of convergent services and premium content relying upon innovative infrastructures, a vast choice of App and devices, tailored and modular solutions, both for retail and business.
TIM Brazil is one of the major players in the local market, leading 4G coverage in the country.
Barcelona (Spain), 28 February 2018
