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Singtel and Hyundai to develop advanced manufacturing facility for 5G future

By Rajiv MenonSingapore
3 min read
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Singtel has signed an agreement with Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) to deploy Singtel’s 5G infrastructure network solutions at its Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre in Singapore (HMGICS) which includes an electric vehicle production facility. The HMGICS, the first of its kind in the world, will leverage Singtel’s leading-edge 5G campus network with mobile edge core solutions that will provide uninterrupted high-speed connectivity and massive bandwidth to enhance HMGICS’s high-precision quality control in manufacturing operations.

HMGICS is the HMG’s open innovation hub for research and development in advanced mobility ecosystems with the aim of revolutionising the future mobility value chain. Apart from introducing smart mobility solutions in areas such as electric vehicles (EV), autonomous vehicles, and new forms of mobility products and services in Singapore, the HMGICS will also serve as a testbed for human-centred intelligent manufacturing and verification of Industry 4.0 technologies. Augmented by Singtel’s capabilities in 5G, artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), and Hyundai’s deep expertise in smart automotive manufacturing solutions as well as robotics, HMGICS will be the leading facility for the development of a metaverse for the manufacturing industry.

Lim Seng Kong, Managing Director, Singtel Enterprise Business, said, “Singtel’s 5G network and MEC solutions will overcome the performance limitations of WiFi to deliver the promise of digital twins and eventually metaverse for advanced manufacturing operations. With innovation from Hyundai and enablement from our 5G solutions, we are looking at a new concept of manufacturing where the station comes to the cell, unlocking opportunities for hyper-customisation and other novel applications. Together, we are paving the way for Singapore to be the centre for Smart Manufacturing in the region.”

Once ready, the vehicles will be transported by specially designed autonomous guided vehicles to the Centre’s 620-metre-long Sky Track where customers can test drive them.

Singtel’s Paragon, an all-in-one platform for 5G networks, edge computing management and services orchestration, will enable the factory to manage and analyse the manufacturing process and performance of the networks, thus allowing real-time monitoring and feedback. Paragon will also support Hyundai’s new capability that allows customers to personalise their chosen vehicles and watch their cars being manufactured live via their smart devices. Once ready, the vehicles will be transported by specially designed autonomous guided vehicles to the Centre’s 620-metre-long Sky Track where customers can test drive them.

Hong Bum Jung, Chief Executive Officer of HMGICS, said, “Through this partnership, HMGICS will feature the Hyundai Motor Group’s first deployment of a 5G network in vehicle manufacturing, leveraging 5G for a cloud-based centralised mobile robot management solution. We believe that Singtel’s 5G solution will not only redefine the manufacturing process, but the partnership will realise Hyundai’s vision of becoming the first mobility innovator to build a Meta-Factory concept, a digital-twin of an actual factory, supported by a metaverse platform. The game-changing Meta-Factory will enable us to test-run a factory virtually, in order to calculate the optimised plant operation and enable plant managers to solve problems without having to physically visit the plant.”

Singtel’s 5G mobility network enables Hyundai to deliver on its “metamobility” concept, which refers to going beyond physical movements through robotics and into the metaverse to affect change in the real world – expanding the use of robots as a medium between the real and virtual worlds. Deployment of these solutions is currently underway and expected to be completed by Q4 2022. The partnership also includes continued support for another five years thereafter.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What is the primary purpose of the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre in Singapore (HMGICS)?

A.

HMGICS is Hyundai Motor Group’s open innovation hub for research and development in advanced mobility ecosystems. It aims to revolutionise the future mobility value chain and introduce smart mobility solutions.

Q.

How will Singtel's 5G network specifically benefit manufacturing operations at the HMGICS?

A.

Singtel’s 5G campus network and mobile edge core solutions will provide uninterrupted high-speed connectivity and massive bandwidth. This will enhance HMGICS's high-precision quality control in manufacturing operations.

Q.

What is the 'Meta-Factory' concept that Hyundai aims to achieve with Singtel's support?

A.

The 'Meta-Factory' is a digital-twin of an actual factory, supported by a metaverse platform. It will allow virtual testing of plant operations and problem-solving for plant managers without physical visits.

Q.

When is the deployment of Singtel's 5G solutions at the HMGICS expected to be completed?

A.

Deployment of these solutions is currently underway. It is expected to be completed by Q4 2022. The partnership also includes continued support for another five years thereafter.

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