Audi and Ericsson: 5G Pilot Project for Human-Robot Interaction

The car manufacturer Audi and the Swedish network equipment provider Ericsson presented a joint 5G pilot project for production on February 18, which addresses human-robot interaction. One of the first fields to be demonstrated is a 5G-connected automation application with a focus on personal safety. An industrial robot is to install an airbag module into the steering wheel of an Audi.

According to the company, the robot cell is protected by safety sensors. As soon as a human hand breaks the cell's light curtain, the robot automatically stops. The necessary high-frequency (fieldbus) communication is enabled by the very low latency, an end-to-end delay of approximately one millisecond, Audi says. Thanks to 5G technology, interaction between humans and machines is now also possible wirelessly.

Potential of 5G Technology for Industrial Applications

"5G connects all points in our production environment, which leads to enormous improvements in flexibility and connectivity, and shows what secure cooperation between humans and robots can look like," says Arjen Kreis, Head of Body Shop Automation Technology at Audi Neckarsulm.

"As part of our project announced in 2018 with Ericsson, we are testing the possibilities of 5G technology for industrial applications in the Audi Production Lab. With these projects, we are learning more about how wireless networks can be optimally utilized in a Smart Factory," says Dr. Henning Löser, Head of the Audi Production Lab.

According to Audi, industrial application scenarios for automotive manufacturing based on 5G are being tested and further developed. In doing so, the two companies are focusing on a particularly latency-critical application, such as the interaction with an industrial robot.