5G is coming. At least, that's what leader in Industry 4.0, Bosch, has announced with its new ctrlX Automation control technology to be showcased at the SPS trade fair in Nuremberg.
According to Bosch, 5G accelerates the internet of things (IoT) and boosts Industry 4.0 control systems, and sensors of the kinds built into facilities, machinery and logistics chains stand to gain from this new real-time tireless data transfer.
According to Rolf Najork, member of the Bosch board of management responsible for industrial technology, "5G is set to turbocharge manufacturing. Our new 5G-capable automation platform lays the groundwork and opens the door to a new industrial age."
5G, which is up to 20 times faster than 4G, transfers data with a latency of one millisecond, and is up to 99.9999% reliable. It is also the first communications standard designed to enable connectivity for people as well as for IoT.
"5G is a revolution and an important building block for the factory of the future," Najork continued.
Engineers and designers are now facing the challenges of integrating 5G into machines and products, which is where ctrlX Automation comes in; the operating system and software for ctrlX Automation are 5G-capable from the outset and support rapid commissioning. Retrofit solutions are also available for adding the new technology to existing machinery.
Bosch Rexroth's new automation platform is scheduled to have its market launch in 2020.
According to the firm, experts estimate that there will be up to 70 billion connected devices worldwide by 2025, with many of these being in manufacturing. This will include mobile robotics, autonomous transport vehicles, and human-machine interactions, with Najork believing: "This form of communication eclipses everything we've had until now. 5G is the first wireless protocol to truly meet the needs of the manufacturing industry."
Bosch presented its first 5G-capable autonomous transport system, ActiveShuttle, at the Hannover Messe. To support further development of its 'factories of the future' the company has applied to the German Federal Network Agency for 5G licences with which to set up local campus networks.
Bosch has also taken on the chair of the global 5G Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation (5G-ACIA).
