[Chonburi, Thailand, May 10, 2024] Midea, AIS, China Unicom, and Huawei have jointly built Southeast Asia’s first fully 5G connected factory, setting a new standard for smart manufacturing in the region. This collaboration marks a new milestone in the 5G era, enhancing efficiency, safety, and automation in complex production processes.
Leveraging the comprehensive 5G network coverage and 5G+ industrial internet platform of Midea Industrial Estate in Chonburi province, each production stage will be seamlessly connected through 5G terminals, enabling faster operation of machines. A dedicated 5G private network will be deployed to support the factory’s operational requirements, leverage intelligent industrial applications, facilitate manufacturing scenarios and interconnect each production line.
Midea 5G fully connected factory in Thailand
Vincent Kai, general manager of Midea Thailand Air Conditioning Factory, who recently gave visitors a tour of the factory, said: “In line with Midea Group’s fully digitalised and fully intelligent strategy, Thailand’s 5G smart factory lays out the blueprint for the future of manufacturing, where fully connected, greener and higher quality factories are being built.” Key solutions that will make factories “5G fully connected” include:
- 5G Data Collection and AnalysisThe combination of massive connectivity and high reliability offered by 5G networks will enable real-time monitoring and analysis of production devices. Continuous data collection and analysis optimizes equipment utilization, reduces downtime, and improves overall equipment capacity.
5G automated guided vehicles at Midea’s Thailand factory
- 5G Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs): Powered by 5G technology, AGVs are undergoing a paradigm shift, moving beyond pre-set routes and physical markers for navigation. Dynamic path planning and real-time environmental data analysis increase flexibility and adaptability, greatly improving operational efficiency in complex factory environments.
5G AI inspection solution at Midea’s Thailand factory reduces operation errors
- 5G AI InspectionBy leveraging AI, production efficiency is significantly improved, increasing “first-time yield” (the percentage of units produced that pass QA the first time) by 4%. AI detection significantly reduces the number of reworked devices from 4,000 to 1,000 per year, reducing rework rates by 75% and minimizing operation errors.
- 5G Robot Arm: Workers can now remotely control the robotic arm via their 5G smartphone, eliminating the need for dangerous manual intervention in the production process. This not only improves worker safety, but also optimizes the flow of production materials and improves product quality.
- 5G Operating Room: Operating rooms equipped with 5G technology simulate and test outdoor compressor conditions to ensure efficient and reliable operation. 5G backhaul with zero data loss and low latency capabilities ensures seamless data transmission for critical applications.
5G operation room at Midea Thai factory
Through this project, telecom operators have played a key role in driving digital transformation, leveraging their expertise and local ecosystem to adopt 5G and deliver new levels of efficiency gains, connectivity at scale, and security for operational data.
Phupa Akavipat, Acting Chief Corporate Business Officer, Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS), highlighted AIS’s commitment to continuous innovation, saying: “Compared to other technologies, 5G is the only technology that enables network coverage of over 160,000 square meters covering three production plants. AIS will continue to drive innovation and remain focused on helping manufacturers around the world replicate their smart factory set-ups in Thailand.”
Eunice Tse, general manager of China Unicom Operations (Thailand) Limited, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the fundamental importance of communications and IT infrastructure: “Thailand’s 5G network readiness has established it as a pioneer in the ASEAN region. China Unicom is committed to supporting the success of the Thailand 4.0 strategy with a wide range of use cases and new 5G2B scenarios, and driving manufacturers’ digital and intelligence transformation.”
Mr. Voragarn Likitdechasakdi, CTO of Huawei Thailand, reiterated Huawei’s commitment to industrial transformation, saying, “We have seen that 5G has played a key role in driving industrial transformation. The manufacturing industry shows great potential for development and transformation with the introduction of 5G technologies. Huawei remains committed to working with industrial customers, carriers, and partners to create the business value of 5G.”
Lichtdechasakdi added: “To achieve this goal, we will actively engage with our customers to understand their digital strategies. By taking a closer look at their production processes and identifying their specific needs, we aim to share valuable experience and best practices to accelerate the adoption of 5G for intelligent manufacturing upgrades.”
The establishment of Southeast Asia’s first fully 5G connected factory marks a significant milestone in Thailand’s intelligent transformation and Industry 4.0 journey, demonstrating the power of collaboration and innovation to shape the future of manufacturing.
