Industrial applications have diverse communication needs. While Industry 4.0 is about automation and digitization of the manufacturing processes, Industry 5.0 is about human-machine interaction using advanced technologies to create a more sustainable and human-centric manufacturing environment. This is where the fifth generation of mobile communication comes in: 5G can support highly diverse and heterogeneous environments for various applications. This is especially important for the demanding requirements of industrial applications, such as low latency or high data rate.
5GEARING aims to advance 5G technology in the Austrian manufacturing sector by integrating cutting-edge technologies such as edge computing, AI, and robotics to enhance productivity and innovation. The project partners also developed guidelines for deploying 5G systems at manufacturing sites and developing industrial applications. The overall goal is to accelerate digitization and automation, leading to increased productivity, agility, and energy efficiency.
Collaborative efforts with industry leaders
The project brought together partners from research and industry: SAL, Magna International, CANCOM Austria AG, Liwest Kabelmedien GmbH and Arico Technologies. This collaboration leveraged the unique expertise of each partner, significantly contributing to the project's success.
Raheeb Muzaffar, Senior Scientist and project leader at SAL, emphasized the importance of collaboration in research projects: "The cooperation with our industry partners has been invaluable. Their experience in cellular systems as well as insights into manufacturing applications gave us a significant advantage in achieving impactful project results."
The project partners are committed to collaborating further to demonstrate 5G capabilities for industrial automation applications that can bring performance improvements, effective usage of resources, energy efficiency, cost reduction, and much more. Some topics of interest include exploring 5G mmWave band potentials, time-sensitive networking, and indoor positioning.
5GEARING is funded under the research and technology development of gigabit applications as part of lighthouse projects Breitband Austria 2030: GigaApp financed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance and by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) under the grant agreement n. FO999899772. Breitband Austria 2030: GigaApp was initiated by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions, and Tourism.
ABOUT SILICON AUSTRIA LABS (SAL)
Silicon Austria Labs GmbH (SAL) was founded in 2018 as a non-university research center in the field of Electronic and Software Based Systems. At its locations in Graz, Villach and Linz, research is conducted on key technologies in the fields of Microsystems, Sensor Systems, Power Electronics, Intelligent Wireless Systems and Embedded Systems. SAL brings together key players from industry and science and thus valuable expertise and know-how, and conducts cooperative, application-oriented research along the value chain. The aim is to accelerate the value creation process from idea to innovation – with excellent research and economic benefits. Owners are the Republic (50.1%), the Provinces of Styria and Carinthia (10% each), the Province of Upper Austria (4.95%) and the Association for the Electric and Electronics Industry (24.95%).
Contact:
Silicon Austria Labs GmbH
Isabella Preuer, BA BA MA
Head of Communications & PR
+43 664 832 97 73
