Qualcomm and Bosch Rexroth Showcase Industrial Automation with Time-Synchronized Applications over a Live 3.75 GHz 5G Private Network
Highlights:
- Qualcomm Technologies and Bosch Rexroth showcase innovative end-to-end solutions for the industrial IoT from their continued 5G R&D collaboration for the digital transformation of industries.
- Companies deliver an industrial demo at the Bosch Salzgitter, Germany factory, showcasing ultra-low latency and time-synchronized networking for an autonomous mobile robot (AMR), and positioning an assisted guided vehicle (AGV).
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and Bosch Rexroth AG, today announced the evolution of their joint research collaboration focused on 5G technology applications for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The joint demonstration at the Robert Bosch Elektronik GmbH factory in Salzgitter, Germany, showcases industrial automation and flexible manufacturing with time-sensitive networking (TSN), low latency, ultra-high reliability with coordinated multi-point (CoMP), and 5G precise positioning of an assisted guided vehicle (AGV) and autonomous mobile robot (AMR).
The system performs an inspection of manufactured automotive parts. An AGV with an empty storage box navigates to the AMR. The AMR selects parts from a work piece carrier and performs an optical inspection, running on the Rexroth ctrlX CORE controller. If the parts meet the inspection requirements, they are placed in an accepted storage box on the AGV. The parts that do not meet the requirements are placed in a rejected storage box next to the AMR. The time-synchronized system shows two forms of manufacturing flexibility with the AGV and AMR able to move to any suitable location in the factory thanks to 5G, and with 5G positioning, the AGV can navigate precisely to the AMR. The 5G network operates in the 3.7-3.8 GHz spectrum band – the band allocated for regional and local networks in Germany.
With a TSN capable 5G system, manufacturers will be able to configure wireless and flexible factory floors, for the efficient use of factory space and time, to optimize operational efficiencies and drive cost savings. 3GPP Release 16 features will take 5G to the next level for Industry 4.0, with new capabilities such as enhanced ultra-reliable low latency communication (eURLLC) with millisecond latencies, 99.9999% reliability, and TSN support. The R&D collaboration with industrial leader, Bosch Rexroth, sets the scene for the factory of the future.
The announcement follows the companies’ other exciting research developments, which at MWC 2019 announced a joint study of radio channels in industrial environments to understand factory floor requirements and configurations, and at SPS 2019 announced a TSN and 5G proof-of-concept with two industrial devices demonstrating precise synchronization. The technologies in the system can be applied to a range of use cases in Industry 4.0 to deliver higher productivity and operational efficiency.
“We are thrilled to continue our technology collaboration with Bosch Rexroth to realize the value of 5G and IoT in industrial environments,” said Enrico Salvatori, senior vice president, Qualcomm Europe, Inc. and president of Qualcomm Europe/MEA. “We are working to enable a world where everyone and everything is intelligently connected. Our end-to-end industrial IoT solutions are accelerating the digital transformation of industries, and with collaborations such as this we are laying the foundation for next-generation 5G industrial automation.”
“We are proud of the collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, who have been instrumental in bringing this demo to life to showcase key 5G and TSN technologies, which are set to transform industrial automation in Industry 4.0.”, said Thomas Fechner, head of the business unit automation & electrification solutions, Bosch Rexroth.
About Bosch Rexroth
As one of the world’s leading suppliers of drive and control technologies, Bosch Rexroth ensures efficient, powerful and safe movement in machines and systems of any size. The company bundles global application experience in the market segments of Mobile Applications, Machinery Applications and Engineering, and Factory Automation. With its intelligent components, customized system solutions and services, Bosch Rexroth is creating the necessary environment for fully connected applications. Bosch Rexroth offers its customers hydraulics, electric drive and control technology, gear technology and linear motion and assembly technology, including software and interfaces to the Internet of Things. With locations in over 80 countries, more than 29,600 associates generated sales revenue of roughly 5.2 billion euros in 2020. To learn more, please visit www.boschrexroth.com.
About Robert Bosch Elektronik GmbH’s Salzgitter Plant
Salzgitter Plant exists for over 50 years and produces Electronic Control Units (ECUs) for more than 30 years. In 2021 we produced 3.8 Million ECUs for Gasoline and Diesel Engines as well as Battery-Management-Systems, DC Control Units and Central Gateways. A quote of Robert Bosch says “Future needs origin”. In this spirit, Salzgitter Plant tries to combine tradition and the modern era and that doesn´t just show in our buildings. Bosch’s Salzgitter Plant fulfills five functions which are as diverse and interlocking as its 1,400 employees: Manufacturing, Lead Plant, Center of Competence, Sample Shop and Warranty Analysis. Next to excellently handling our business, we are a driver of innovations when it comes to manufacturing, logistics and future technologies. Examples are the high level of automation within our logistics and manufacturing areas as well as the foundation of the Hydrogen Campus Salzgitter together with strong partners from both industry and research.
About The Bosch Group
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 410,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2018). The company generated sales of 78.5 billion euros in 2018. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT company, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, smart cities, connected mobility, and connected manufacturing. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source.
The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to deliver innovations for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.” The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 460 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company’s future growth is its innovative strength. At nearly 130 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 68,700 associates in research and development. Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm is the world’s leading wireless technology innovator and the driving force behind the development, launch, and expansion of 5G. When we connected the phone to the internet, the mobile revolution was born. Today, our foundational technologies enable the mobile ecosystem and are found in every 3G, 4G and 5G smartphone. We bring the benefits of mobile to new industries, including automotive, the internet of things, and computing, and are leading the way to a world where everything and everyone can communicate and interact seamlessly.
Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of our engineering, research and development functions, and substantially all of our products and services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business.
