The Industrial Internet represents a deep integration of the information domain and the physical manufacturing field, making it a core application area for 5G. As 5G enters the stage of large-scale deployment, its impact on industry becomes increasingly critical.
The upcoming World 5G Conference provides a platform to explore these developments. Yu Haibin, director of the National Industrial Process Measurement and Control Standardization Technical Committee and director of the Shenyang Institute of Automation at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, shared insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by manufacturing in the 5G era.
"Intelligent production in the industrial field requires improved flexibility, resource efficiency, and product quality," Yu Haibin explains. "The deep integration of 5G and industrial automation can enhance network connectivity and stability, creating a new architecture for future industrial connections and supporting the construction of fully connected smart factories."
The Industrial Internet: Bridging Information and Physical Manufacturing
The transformation and upgrading of traditional industrial enterprises have garnered significant attention, especially with the advent of 5G technology. By leveraging the "5G express train," these enterprises can accelerate their transition from "digitalization" to "intelligence," merging and colliding with industrial Internet technologies to ignite unprecedented vitality in the new era.
Technological Iteration: The Path to Autonomy and Intelligence
Revolutionary technologies require multiple rounds of iteration and continuous innovation, often sparking controversy along the way. The manufacturing industry aims to achieve automation through the Industrial Internet, yet vast amounts of industrial knowledge remain untapped.
"The Industrial Internet is not just a network but an interconnected industrial system," Yu Haibin notes. "Industrial systems evolve from interconnected intelligence supported by information networks to knowledge-driven autonomous intelligence, achieving autonomy and intelligence."
With the gradual implementation of 5G applications, a rational view of industrial scene applications is crucial. While commercial 5G technologies have achieved significant success, their impact on the industrial revolution is still in its infancy.
Reviewing the application of wireless network technology, Yu Haibin highlights the progression from initial attempts to large-scale product applications, verifying wireless technology's feasibility in some industrial fields. However, high-end processing and manufacturing, particularly precision motion control, still lack "wireless" solutions comparable to traditional wired networks.
The Current Landscape and Future Prospects
Industrial wireless technology is flourishing, supporting various industrial applications at different levels. Nonetheless, the vast differences in industrial application scenarios mean no single technology can support all industrial scenarios simultaneously.
"Although 5G defines three major scenarios through a scenario-driven technical route, industrial applications closely related to real-time performance still need breakthroughs," Yu Haibin explains. "The application of 5G remains in the iterative phase of continuous application attempts and technological innovation."
However, the innovations demonstrated so far reveal numerous opportunities, such as robot teleoperation, remote surgery, and VR/AR remote teaching, solving previously insurmountable problems.
Driving Innovation through Application Scenarios and Models
Projections indicate that 5G links could connect 1 billion places, 5 billion people, and 50 billion things. In the future, everyone, every home, and every organization will be interconnected through "digital."
Currently, the global market share of industrial wireless technology is about 6%, with 5G's share even smaller. However, 5G is crucial for driving continuous changes in industrial infrastructure, production methods, and innovation models, affecting the digital initiative and influence in the manufacturing industry's development.
Despite the progress, gaps remain between countries, such as the lithography machine processing level, with the Netherlands leading at 5nm while China's mass production level is at 90nm. These disparities highlight the coexistence of challenges and opportunities.
The Road Ahead: Cross-Integration and Unlimited Possibilities
Over the past two decades, Yu Haibin has led a team in developing industrial wireless control technology, achieving international recognition and leading in formulating standards. The Shenyang Institute of Automation continues to push the boundaries of robotics and industrial automation, solving critical technical issues and setting world records.
"The application of major scientific and technological achievements demands new requirements for the 5G era," Yu Haibin emphasizes. "5G should undergo continuous technological iteration, integrating ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) to promote a new industrial wireless network, seize technological advantages, and strengthen core technology control."
5G is the key infrastructure for comprehensive interconnection among "humans, machines, and things," supporting the industrial Internet. The cross-integration of AI, big data, industrial computing, 5G, and the Industrial Internet of Things will drive the industrial revolution, fostering new technologies and innovation capabilities, and providing limitless possibilities for the intelligent development of the manufacturing industry.
My Opinion on 5G in Industrial Internet
In my opinion, the integration of 5G into industrial Internet applications is a pivotal development that promises to transform manufacturing and other industrial sectors. The enhanced connectivity, real-time data processing, and increased automation facilitated by 5G can significantly improve operational efficiency and product quality. However, to fully realize these benefits, it is essential to address the existing challenges and continuously innovate.
Ways to Improve 5G Integration in Industrial Internet
- Enhanced Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships between technology providers, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies can accelerate the development and deployment of 5G-enabled industrial solutions.
- Focus on Real-Time Applications: Prioritizing the development of 5G applications that require real-time data processing and low latency can demonstrate the full potential of 5G in industrial settings.
- Robust Security Measures: Implementing advanced security protocols is crucial to protect industrial networks from cyber threats and ensure data integrity.
- Scalable Solutions: Developing scalable 5G solutions that can be easily adapted to different industrial scenarios will facilitate broader adoption.
- Continuous Training and Education: Providing ongoing training and education for industrial workers and engineers on 5G technologies can bridge the knowledge gap and enhance the implementation process.
Conclusion
As we embrace the 5G era, the transformation of traditional industrial enterprises through digitalization and intelligence will not only drive economic growth but also solidify a modern industrial system, maintaining and expanding technological leadership. The integration of 5G into the industrial Internet represents a significant step toward more efficient, innovative, and interconnected manufacturing processes. By addressing the challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities presented by 5G, the industrial sector can achieve unprecedented levels of automation, efficiency, and productivity.
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