# Challenges Associated with Implementing 5G in Manufacturing
## 2 The Potential of 5G in Manufacturing
### How 5G Will Impact Manufacturing  
For 5G to be deployed successfully in a manufacturing environment, there must be close collaboration between all systems, spanning across the corporate information and communication technologies (IT) and the manufacturing operational technologies (OT) to maximize the capabilities inherent in 5G. The vision is that industry will be able to construct cyber-physical systems that enable precision control in near real time, from virtually anywhere in the world [14]. Typical deployment scenarios, some of which were mentioned previously, are given below:  
Figure 3: Comparison of 4G LTE versus 5G.  
* Ability to remotely operate equipment e.g., production line robotics on the factory floor. Typical applications being welding, painting and assembly.
* Remote control of supply chain equipment e.g., operator can remote control equipment such as untethered robots, typical applications include, autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) or forklifts.
* Remote monitoring of equipment e.g., the transmission of diagnostics information, so service technicians arrive prepared for successful repairs and updates when needed.
* Machine to machine communication: closed-loop communications between machines to optimize manufacturing processes.
* Intra- and inter-enterprise communication: for monitoring of assets distributed in broader geographical areas across the value chain.
* Augmented reality support in design, maintenance and repair: use of augmented reality to aid in the execution of procedural tasks in the design, maintenance and repair domain (through simulations).  
Each industry deployment has to look at multiple constraints and identify a solution that will deliver an optimal solution to meet the business requirements of the end-user or corporate need.  
The main challenges for industry adoption of 5G are:  
* **Cost:** the manufacturing industry has high-cost reduction requirements and will only implement new applications if these have been proven to reduce costs ultimately.
* **Safety:** hundreds of connected automated devices on a factory floor can create a hazardous environment for humans.
* **Deployment knowledge:** many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) do not have the capacity to resource the learning requirements or the technical ability to capitalise on the potentials of 5G.
* **RF interference:** several objects on the factory floor are already using radio communications.  
Another consideration for manufacturing is the increased proliferation of more sophisticated collaborative robots (cobots). These smaller, lightweight, smart robots can detect when a human is nearby, making it possible for that individual to work more safely alongside the machine. A typical usage scenario for a robot might be to take care of such tasks as moving heavy parts or doing repetitive tasks, while a human collaborator handles the more advanced tasks. Cobots are already on the market, but 5G networks should help make them more useful. An example of adding value is the capitalizing on the lower latency of 5G which will allow a more instantaneous real-time presence awareness that would enable the robot to work at faster speeds next to a human with a reduced risk (close to zero) of injury [15,16].