The Huawei European Supply Centre (HESC) in Budapest hosted the 5G Smart Factory Forum today. Huawei noted during the summit that 5G-powered innovative solutions, such as self-driving vehicles, AI-driven quality control, and AR-assisted remote maintenance, will be common applications and basic capabilities of future smart factories.[November 8, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary] The Huawei European Supply Centre (HESC) in Budapest hosted the 5G Smart Factory Forum today. Huawei noted during the summit that 5G-powered innovative solutions, such as self-driving vehicles, AI-driven quality control, and AR-assisted remote maintenance, will be common applications and basic capabilities of future smart factories.
Huawei promised to continue promoting the inclusion of innovative 5G solutions for Industry 4.0 infrastructure in the Global Alliance on AI for Industry and Manufacturing (AIM Global) launched by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to drive broad adoption of 5G and AI technologies in Industry 4.0-related fields and thus facilitate the development of the digital economy.
According to Vicky Zhang, Vice Director of Huawei's Global Corporate Communications Department, in 5G's fourth commercial year, novel applications integrating 5G, AI, and cloud computing technologies are being employed across many industries, particularly in smart manufacturing. She also mentioned that mature best practises, such as HESC in Páty, demonstrate the tangible financial and societal impact of these creative applications.
"Next, Huawei will work with international organisations like UNIDO to promote the sharing and application of 5G industrial infrastructure solutions and related capabilities around the world, in order to drive the development of Industry 4.0," Zhang stated in a press release.
Huawei and UNIDO launched AIM Global in July of this year, with the goal of creating a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, as well as promoting the invention and implementation of AI technologies in the industrial and manufacturing sectors.
Dr. Ulrike Fasbender, Professor at the University of Hohenheim in Germany, regards HESC as a prime illustration of digitalization's quick progress and innovation. "The impact of digital solutions like augmented reality and self-driving forklifts enabled by 5G connectivity is a true game changer for workplaces," she said. When implemented correctly, these technologies allow employees to accomplish jobs more efficiently while protecting them from difficult and unhealthy duties. As the working population's average age rises, such enhanced working conditions will be critical for employability."
Dr. Fasbender believes that governments and businesses who fail to make effective use of technology will lose competitiveness in the digital economy, and that an economy can only remain dynamic by revolving around ecosystems that service industry.
"HESC first deployed 5G-powered automation solutions at the end of 2019," said Sandor Papp, Deputy Director of HESC. Since then, we've combined a dedicated core network with a local edge computing system to realise self-driving forklift trucks and complete logistics system automation. Furthermore, AI-driven quality control and AR-assisted remote maintenance have increased our campus's logistical efficiency by 20%, significantly improving Huawei's ability to serve its European clients."
"In the future, Huawei will leverage its strengths in R&D, digital technologies, and supply chains to strengthen collaboration with all supply chain players." We will also assist local businesses in increasing the implementation of digital and intelligent technology in their production and operations, so that we can all achieve high-quality development," he added.
HESC, situated in Hungary, is Huawei's largest supply centre outside of China, supplying Huawei goods to over 50 countries in Europe, Central Asia, and Northern Africa. Every month, the centre handles 50,000 to 60,000 goods and carries an average of 400 cubic metres of outbound freight pulled by 30 trucks.