Schneider Electric Partners Up To Accelerate 5G Automation
- By CDOTrends editors
- March 28, 2023
Schneider Electric is partnering with Qualcomm and Capgemini in a collaboration designed to accelerate industrial automation using 5G networks.
The collaboration announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February, sees the partners customizing an end-to-end 5G private network system through virtual connectivity.
The three companies have joined efforts to design and install the solution at Schneider Electric’s hoisting lab in Grenoble, France.
By replacing wired connections with wireless and unifying existing wireless connections from Schneider Electric’s industrial automation system, the 5G Private Network solution demonstrates how it can simplify and optimize digital technology deployment at scale across industrial sites — from steel plants to ports.
From avionics and automotive to steel manufacturing and shipping, hoisting applications play a critical role in supply chain and manufacturing operations, where heavy materials and goods are transported over what can be hundreds of meters.
These crane applications are designed to operate in challenging industrial environments, for example, under extreme temperatures and over large distances.
Automated hoisting systems increase productivity, safety, and operational performance but require fast reaction times, high precision and reliability, 24/7 availability, and manual and autonomous capabilities.
“Digital transformation is helping Schneider Electric customers generate step-change advancements in productivity, efficiency, and sustainability, but not one company can do it alone,” said Marc Lafont, vice president for innovation and upstream marketing at Schneider Electric.
Several systems must coexist on the same network with video cameras for monitoring and remote operation and PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) for various control functions, including automation, remote control, and safety functions.
5G’s native low latency characteristics allow the system to replace fiber cables in remote-control operations, addressing the need to simplify network complexity, reduce wires, and provide long-term reliable connectivity.
Image credit: iStockphoto/hernan4429
