Germany - The OEM has announced it is working with the Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson in order to explore how 5G can be utilised in vehicle manufacturing. The two will run field tests at Audi's 'Production Lab' in Gaimersheim, Germany.
"The fully networked factory will have a significant impact on the production of the future," predicts Frank Loydl, chief information officer at Audi. "A powerful network architecture that can respond in real time is of decisive importance for us. As part of the project with our partner Ericsson, we are testing the opportunities offered by 5G technology for industrial applications in the smart factory."
During the first phase of the project, the companies will test a latency-critical application using wirelessly connected production robots that are used to glue parts together in body construction. Use of the technology will then be extended to other applications, and will potentially be implemented at various other Audi Group factories.
The news marks the first time a major vehicle manufacturer has decided to trial 5G in vehicle production. The automotive industry is currently examining several use cases for 5G, most of which are for in-car connectivity features.
