Singtel pushes 5G to drive manufacturing, maritime

Representative image. Photo by Ammiel Jr.

Singtel, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s (A*STAR), and JTC have signed a memorandum of understanding to deploy 5G at the Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC) in the Jurong Innovation District.

Enterprises can leverage the ARTC to explore how 5G can enable digital technologies such as the Internet-of-Things (IoT), analytics, artificial intelligence and robotics, to create next-generation manufacturing solutions that can help them operate efficiently.

For example, 5G and IoT can be used to more accurately track the locations of Automated Guide Vehicles (AGVs) within a factory. This allows business to better plan AGV deployment in their factories for higher productivity and enhanced safety.

Another use case is leveraging augmented reality with the help of 5G to conduct remote and real-time equipment maintenance.

“5G has immense potential to catapult manufacturing capabilities into an ultra-fast and low-latency reality,” said Bill Chang, CEO of Group Enterprise at Singtel. “We want to complement the government’s Smart Nation efforts and empower manufacturers and industry players with a robust and versatile launch-pad through the ARTC, allowing them to leverage digital technologies to create next-generation solutions.

David Low, CEO of A*STAR’s ARTC, said the platform will help manufacturers develop Industry 4.0 solutions and new business models based on 5G technology to be future-ready.

“With this collaboration, manufacturers will be able explore how 5G can be combined with Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and robotics to create manufacturing solutions for factories of the future,” said Alvin Tan, assistant CEO of Industry Cluster Group at JTC.

Singtel was awarded the 5G Technology Call by PSA and IMDA to develop 5G use cases at the Pasir Panjang Terminal.

The trials, expected to progressively be conducted from the third quarter of 2019 lasting about 18 months, will include the use of 5G to support PSA’s mission-critical, all-weather maritime operations such as its connectivity needs, the use of drones, remote tele-operations of port equipment, crane automation and enhancements to AGV operations.