E-commerce continues to grow in leaps and bounds – and not just because ongoing and diverse lockdown restrictions are driving customers deeper into the online jungle. The result is more deliveries and more traffic congestion. At the same time, people are increasingly moving into cities, exacerbating the lack of housing and parking spaces. One of the key technologies that could provide some relief goes by the acronym 5G.
But what exactly are smart cities? McKinsey states that there are three “layers” that make up a smart city: the technology base, then the actual applications, and lastly their usage. And when it comes to the first layer, 5G technology has a major part to play. 5G is the wireless communications that will enable super-fast, high-volume data transmission. It will support connections for far more devices than ever before – without discernible loss of performance. One example is autonomous vehicles. Real-time data exchange is vital to their safe, efficient and sustainable deployment in complex urban environments.
Versatile, dependable – plus support for entire fleets
The roll-out of this new wireless technology will enable a huge number of intralogistics applications, confirms Markus Schmermund, Vice President, Automation and Intralogistics Solutions, at Linde Material Handling. He highlights four concrete areas that will benefit considerably from 5G:
Automation: Processors, sensors and navigation technology continue to evolve and can, with the help of 5G, markedly improve productivity.
Connectivity: Real-time visibility into work tasks, inventories and the position of trucks and the goods they are carrying allows improved utilization and management of the vehicle fleet.
Energy: The provision of 5G requires energy. And more and more providers are taking advantage of Li-ion batteries. That demand is driving this energy storage method forward. And it is, in turn, improving the performance and usability of e-vehicles.
Customization: The new technical capabilities are creating the basis for greater customization. This not only improves efficiency but also opens up opportunities for greater emotional impact, e.g. when it comes to configuration and order processes.
In summary, 5G technology has the potential to redefine logistics and intralogistics.
“5G makes it easier for us to develop the right products and solutions for a multitude of scenarios, opening up totally new horizons,” explains Markus Schmermund. “We will be able to connect an infinite number of devices, allowing them to execute processes autonomously and at record speed. At the same time, 5G offers unprecedented reliability. The benefits may still seem somewhat abstract in nature, but they will radically change our industry.”
Heading toward a connected future
5G provides connectivity for both upstream and downstream processes. This includes autonomous factory trains, the last-but-one and last mile in cities, 5G-based precise positioning for better automation, and highly automated sorting for confined spaces for increased process efficiency. But this technology will not be implemented overnight, emphasizes Markus Schmermund:
“The old and the new systems will initially coexist, as it will all depend on which technology offers the greatest benefits for the specific use case.”
One thing is certain. The last mile and other processes will only truly become smart when the real-time data are put to actual use. “There is not just a lack of technology, but also the right environment, the infrastructure, and an understanding of the possibilities opened up by 5G,” argues Markus Schmermund with regard to the current transitional phase. “There is no single all-encompassing solution. Quite the opposite: 5G will provide a whole range of solutions – and a huge number of opportunities.”