A 5G Automated-Guided Vehicle SME Testbed for Resilient Future Factories

Abstract

Factory automation design engineers building the smart factory can use wireless fifth-generation (5G) broadband networks for added design flexibility. The 5G new radio builds upon the previous cellular communications' standards to include technology for 'massive machine-type communication' and 'ultrareliable and low-latency communication.' In this work, the authors augment an automated-guided vehicle (AGV) with 5G for additional capabilities (e.g., streaming high-resolution video and enabling long-distance teleoperation), increasing the mobile applications for industrial equipment. Such use cases will provide valuable knowledge to engineers examining 5G for novel smart manufacturing solutions. Our 5G private network testbed is a platform for wireless performance research in industrial locations and provides a development mule for flexible smart manufacturing systems. The rival wireless technology to 5G in industrial settings is Wi-Fi and it is included in the testbed. Furthermore, the authors noted challenges, often unconsidered, facing the move to digital manufacturing technologies. Therefore, the authors summarize the emerging challenges when implementing new digital factory systems, including challenges linked to societal concerns around sustainability and supply chain resilience. The new smart factory technologies, including 5G communications, will have their roles to play in alleviating these challenges and ensuring economies have resilient future factories.