With the existing powerful network infrastructure, OSRAM can use mobile robots to transport goods at its plant in Schwabmünchen. In addition, the company can now test further digital application scenarios live in the Schwabmünchen plant, such as the use of augmented reality for remote support or other applications with real-time requirements, in order to increase the efficiency of production. This will enable the OSRAM plant to pursue the path towards a smart factory.
The speed and flexibility of our devices and machines are extremely important in ensuring efficient production workflows. The integrated 5G campus solution project allows us to test how we can further expand and optimize this in future with new technologies.
For production, relevant components and raw materials must be transported on the production site. The autonomous transport of these goods offers an initial starting point for the path towards a smart factory. However, the mobile robots (automated guided vehicles – AGV) cannot be operated reliably enough with the existing IT and network infrastructure. LAN connections are not suitable for mobile IoT scenarios, Wi-Fi networks do not offer the necessary transmission quality. In addition, the network infrastructure for automated robot operation must guarantee the rapid response capability of mobile units. In this way, accident situations can be avoided preemptively and reliably at the planning stage.
OSRAM opted for an integrated platform: a 4G/5G campus network for high-performance radio communication with a combination of a local edge cloud and an operator edge cloud in the mobile network. The edge clouds provide the necessary minimal latencies and ensure the smooth deployment of AGVs. The campus network ensures fast communication between the AGVs and the local computing resources to enable navigation and mapping for autonomous operation.
With the campus network, OSRAM has a flexible, private radio network infrastructure, initially based on established LTE technology. By means of "dual slicing", the plant in Schwabmünchen uses a high-performance, private radio infrastructure as well as better coverage with the public mobile network.
Telekom and OSRAM are testing a so-called "dual-slice" campus network in the joint project. This combines a public and a private LTE network on one common infrastructure. This guarantees optimum care both inside and out.
OSRAM is a leading global high-tech company with over 113 years of history. With its predominantly semi-conductor based products, the company facilitates applications such as virtual reality, autonomous driving, and networked lighting solutions. In the 2018 business year, OSRAM generated a turnover of over 3.8 billion euros from continuing operations, with around 26,200 employees. The high-tech company invests in the future solutions identified, in order to be perfectly positioned for future markets. The exploitation of digital opportunities is one of the key components of the company strategy. However, the development of digitalization is not just reserved for the developers of new business areas, but also aims to contribute to improving the efficiency of production, paving the way to smart factories. In its plant in Schwabmünchen, OSRAM tests digital platforms and validates them in terms of their return on investment.
