5G, AI and IoT: the dream team for modern manufacturing

Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things

Today, the combination of IoT, AI, and 5G is enabling game-changing infrastructure and processes to flourish.

The Internet of Things has greatly increased manufacturers’ output over the past decade. IoT enables systems to support connected assets, which is essential for smart manufacturing and connected logistics. So it’s no surprise that Statista predicts that there will be 22 billion connected IoT devices by 2025.

At the same time, AI supports the Internet of Things by analyzing the massive data lakes generated by connected devices. AI can be used to analyze industry data, schedule hardware maintenance, and improve productivity at a lower cost. AI can also support data security: 23% of cyber threats are directed at manufacturers, but AI can study large data sets, automate repetitive security screening tasks, identify potential threats, and implement anti-virus measures. Based on this, it is expected that the global AI manufacturing market will grow to US$22.6 billion by 2030.

In an era of high energy and material costs and supply chain disruptions, AI and IoT are critical because they enable manufacturers to adapt and predict. Predictive maintenance deploys data-driven analytics to optimize capital equipment and avoid costs associated with unplanned downtime. McKinsey predicts that by 2025, manufacturers will save $630 billion through predictive maintenance.

These technologies also help solve traditional problems that plague manufacturers. These include inefficiencies in inventory supply chains and production planning. These problems can be solved with ERP (enterprise resource planning) software powered by IoT and AI to automate inventory management and schedule projects to meet completion rates. But another emerging technology can help today's manufacturers unlock more value.

Enter 5G

5G is the middleman that makes the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence truly shine. Artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things are highly dependent on 5G to provide data capacity to support smart manufacturing and digital supply chains, and to provide emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and robotics. By 2030, ultra-high-speed mobile 5G networks are expected to release $740 billion worth of value for the manufacturing industry.

Fifth-generation mobile networks can connect everyone and everything, including machines, objects, and devices. The market for IoT wearable medical devices alone is expected to grow to $30 billion by 2027. Why this matters to manufacturing: Latency or no latency. 5G offers low latency, resulting in faster upload speeds. 5G can reach speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second, 100 times faster than 4G, providing the performance levels needed for high-resolution embedded sensors used in modern manufacturing.

But in the 2020s, the ability to implement your own private short-range 5G network will revolutionize manufacturing. Mobile private networks (or MPNs) provide 5G cellular connectivity for private networks, private enterprises, as well as third-party providers and municipalities. The advantage of MPNs is that they provide a high level of connectivity to authorized devices. This reduces security threats because data can be processed on-site.

Private 5G (P5G) can also provide better connectivity for automated guided vehicles (AVGs) and provide high-performance communication tools for workers in outdoor environments. It also provides better connectivity and "remote vision" capabilities for factories operating in remote areas.

5G can modernize factory operations and improve efficiency through real-time data monitoring, analysis, and predictive maintenance provided by the Internet of Things. 5G also helps with security. Through network slicing, multiple virtual network slices are run on a single physical network, and users are authenticated only in one network area to ensure data and security isolation. At the same time, 5G certification has been improved on the basis of 4G certification, supporting identity protection and enhanced home network control through a unified authentication framework.

Putting it into practice

The future may be characterized by the independent development of 5G, an independent network from the 4G network that the current 5G is built on. Users may see higher speeds, greater reliability and security, and more devices connected simultaneously. It even supports AR and VR technology so that engineers can help customers when they cannot visit the factory in person, and deploy wearable technology to communicate with remote teams.

As you make 5G a reality, follow this mantra: think big, start small, but scale fast.

• Think big: Articulate the vision and show how 5G, AI and IoT are essential to business success. Imagine this is bigger than just operations. It’s about future-proofing the business and meeting the challenges.
• Start small: Begin by identifying where the biggest opportunities for your business lie. Consider any hazards or challenges that need to be overcome and factor them into your roadmap so you can prepare appropriately.
• Scale quickly: As with any new technology, you may encounter obstacles in the early stages of implementation, but don’t lose momentum. To see a return on your business investment, you need to scale quickly.

The next industrial revolution will require high-speed 5G connections to securely process large amounts of data. Amid the excitement surrounding AI and IoT, we must continue to invest in 5G, the lifeblood of emerging technologies and future manufacturing.