Schneider Electric, Capgemini, and Qualcomm Collaborate to Accelerate 5G Industrial Automation

Schneider Electric, Capgemini, and Qualcomm Technologies have announced their collaboration on a first-of-its-kind 5G-enabled automated hoisting solution. The three companies have joined efforts on designing and installing the solution at Schneider Electric’s hoisting lab in Grenoble, France. The 5G Private Network solution replaces wired connections with wireless and unifies existing wireless connections from Schneider Electric’s industrial automation system, demonstrating how it can simplify and optimize digital technology deployment at scale across industrial sites.

Wireless, Automated Hoisting: A Game-Changing Solution

Hoisting applications play a critical role in supply chain and manufacturing operations, where heavy materials and goods are transported over what can be hundreds of meters. Automated hoisting systems increase productivity, safety, and operational performance but require fast reaction times, high precision and reliability, 24/7 availability, and both manual and autonomous capabilities. Furthermore, several systems need to coexist on the same network with video cameras for monitoring and remote operation, and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) for various control functions, including automation, remote control, and safety functions.

5G’s native low latency characteristics allow the system to replace fiber cables in remote-control operations, addressing the need to simplify network complexity, reduce wires, and provide long-term reliable connectivity. This breakthrough end-to-end 5G private network hoisting solution is a perfect example of the power of working together as we pilot it at end-user sites this year.

The Role of Industrial Automation

Schneider Electric has always been a proponent of collaboration and the innovation that comes with it. This collaboration with Capgemini demonstrates Capgemini’s unique ability to partner with clients to take advantage of technologies to innovate and create new use cases for their industry. The 5G end-to-end solution customized for Schneider Electric’s hoisting system is a good example of the added value of 5G for industrial communication and really illustrates its potential to transform an industry segment.

Industrial automation is at the heart of this breakthrough end-to-end 5G private network hoisting solution. Schneider Electric’s expertise in industrial automation combined with Qualcomm Technologies’ heritage in wireless technologies, compute and AI innovations, plus Capgemini’s hands-on experience of network deployment and systems integration intersect to improve performance while eliminating complexities, resulting in faster time to market and improved KPIs for automated hoisting customers.

The Benefits of the 5G Private Network Hoisting Solution

The 5G private network hoisting solution replaces wired and other wireless connections for several critical PLC control flows and time-sensitive video flows powering numerous use cases. It operates in the 3.8GHz radio frequency band, with an enterprise-grade Athonet core network and Airspan Small Cells using the Qualcomm FSM100 5G RAN Platform, significantly improving connectivity performance and enabling new use cases.

Beyond its core industrial functions, the Private 5G automated hoisting system can now be leveraged to deliver additional digital use cases, such as augmented operators enabled by XR (eXtended Reality) and wearable devices.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Schneider Electric, Capgemini, and Qualcomm Technologies to create an innovative 5G-enabled automated hoisting solution is a game-changer for the industrial automation sector. Industrial automation, through 5G-enabled solutions, can simplify network complexity, reduce wires, and provide long-term reliable connectivity, improving performance while eliminating complexities, resulting in faster time to market and improved KPIs for automated hoisting customers. This end-to-end 5G private network hoisting solution is a perfect example of the power of working together to drive innovation in the industrial automation sector.