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5G standalone campus network for robots
Kuka will rely on 5G connectivity in the development of intelligent automation in the future. (Image: Kuka)
More and more manufacturers of industrial robots and automation solutions are turning to 5G connectivity in production and development. In Augsburg, Germany, Nokia is now setting up a private network solution with the latest 5G standalone technology for robot manufacturer Kuka.
Preparations are in full swing: in the future, Kuka will rely on 5G technology for the production of its robots for industrial automation. The company has selected the private networking and application platform Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) as its partner, which will support product development at Kuka with immediate effect.
“In the coming years, Kuka will also focus on products and solutions that leverage the potential of fast, reliable and secure 5G connectivity. By working with Nokia in this area, we have created a long-term technology roadmap that will allow us to leverage the specific features of future 5G versions for our automation solutions.”
Michael Wagner, Director R&D, Competence Center Control Technology, Kuka
By deploying a 5G campus network, Kuka wants to ensure that it can make the most of the potential of the upcoming 5G development stages (3GPP releases 16 and 17). Using Nokia DAC’s Manager Portal, robotics experts will be able to configure the network according to their own requirements. Nokia will also support the network implementation and operation of the solution under a multi-year contract. Extensive training is also planned, which will be used to develop new use cases, including the integration of new 5G-based interfaces and components.
“The 5G standard is constantly evolving and adding new capabilities. For providers of advanced automation solutions for whose product development 5G plays a role, it is important to include this in the planning. Kuka is preparing for the use of 5G for industrial applications.”
Dirk Lewandowski, Vice President Central and East Europe, Nokia Enterprise
The Nokia Digital Automation Cloud offers high-bandwidth, low-latency campus networking, local edge computing capabilities, voice and video services, and a catalog of applications, according to the vendor. The compact, easy-to-deploy platform includes network and user devices, a cloud-based operations monitoring system, and industry connectors that facilitate communication with standard and industry-specific protocols. A new device management feature integrates rugged handhelds and other wireless devices.
