- Ericsson has achieved a drone project at its 5G Smart Factory in the USA, showcasing the application of an autonomous drone to carry on indoor missions.
- The drone, powered by a Qualcomm processor, is used to complete autonomous inventory checks of the warehouse’s higher shelves.
- Additional funding will contribute to speeding up production of 5G products and supporting increasing U.S. demand.
Ericsson has completed a drone project at its USA 5G Smart Factory in Lewisville, Texas, displaying the use of an autonomous drone to execute indoor missions.
Application of 5G drone in smart factory
Powered by a Qualcomm processor and equipped with indoor-optimised flight control, the drone is used to complete autonomous inventory checks of the warehouse’s higher shelves. The project serves as a ‘new milestone’ in integrating 5G autonomous inventory checks of the warehouse’s higher shelves.
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Significance of the project
“This successful demo helps lay the foundation for future integration of 5G-powered drones in industrial settings, particularly for inventory management,” said Carlos H. Torres, head of industry 4.0 at Ericsson’s 5G Smart Factory. “At the same time, this proof of concept…shows Ericsson’s commitment to advancing the non-mobile broadband ecosystem.”
A week earlier, Ericsson announced it was investing an additional $50 million into its smart factory to accelerate production, supplementing the initial $100 million investment at the site’s launch in 2020. The added funding is beneficial to expedite production of products and support boosting U.S. demand, in line with the country’s Build America Buy America Act, according to the tech giant.
“President Biden is laser-focused on bringing fast, affordable, and secure connectivity to every part of our nation so that all Americans can share in the benefits of the digital age,” commented Asad Ramzanali, White House Office of Science and Technology. “Today’s announcement is welcome news that will help support ongoing work to connect more Americans.”
