Industry 4.0 and 5G have been among the main themes analyzed during the latest edition of the European Digital Summit held in Tallinn, Estonia, at the end of September. Bosch and Nokia explained how machines can dialogue in real time, combining the upcoming 5G mobile communications standard with Industry 4.0 solutions. 5G boosts the fastest transmission speed currently possible on mobile communications networks by a factor of ten to over ten gigabits per second. More than that, the standard also improves real-time performance and transmission reliability in particular. Both parameters are key prerequisites for wirelessly connecting hundreds of billions of smart actuators and sensors in factories and production lines, and to process the massive data volumes generated in manufacturing. At the same time, super-fast data transfer is a key prerequisite for companies in Europe and around the world. 
«Working together with Nokia – explained Rolf Najork, the president of Bosch Rexroth AG – we are already exploring the potential that the large bandwidth of 5G will open up for the factory of the future. The wholly owned Bosch subsidiary specialized in drive and control technology developed the demonstrator in collaboration with Bosch corporate research and Nokia.»
Also Hannu Nikurautio, head of 5G technology and market scouting at Nokia, commented the initiative: «5G will be a key enabler for Industry 4.0. – he said – It is the first wireless technology that can complement wireline for all industrial applications, enabling extreme flexibility in production, cutting costs, and creating a safer working environment. Together with our partner Bosch, we are exploring the new possibilities 5G can provide for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.»
