Ericsson and Unikie enhance factory parking with a 5G private network

Ericsson and Unikie have enhanced factory parking with a 5G private network. Unikie, an industry 4.0 partner, and Ericsson are working together to test automated factory parking using Ericsson’s 5G standalone (SA) private network.

Unikie, a Finnish firm, makes software for real-time autonomous operation and process management in automotive and industrial applications, such as automated factory parking and valet parking.

Vehicles are remotely operated at the test site in Turku, Finland, using Ericsson’s 5G private network, edge computing, and Unikie’s Automated Factory Parking (AFP) technology.

As a result of the factory’s stable connectivity, low latency to meet safety requirements, and the 5G private network’s strong security standards, vehicle logistic management can be entirely automated.

Drivers relocate automobiles to a parking area as they roll off the assembly line before shipping them, which takes around 30 minutes. Automakers can regulate and monitor the automobile factory route and automate parking with Unikie’s AFP sensor and software system.

Automakers gain from pinpointing the exact position of parked vehicles, which saves time and money in the search process. The parking space can be optimised by up to 20% with precision parking. Aside from greater safety for onsite employees, there are fewer vehicle parking incidents. Airport parking, shopping malls, and logistic hubs are all conceivable applications for the technology.

Vesa Kiviranta, Chief Business Officer, Automotive, Unikie says: “Together with Ericsson, we can support the reliability and performance requirements critical for large automotive manufacturers and other industries with vast logistics areas. Controlled autonomous vehicles onsite are efficient and safe not only for the entire automotive production ecosystem but for all logistic ecosystems.”

Jan Diekmann, Technical Account Manager, Ericsson says: “5G private networks enable automotive manufacturers to increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve worker safety. Combined with Unikie’s automated factory parking solution, vehicle logistics are transformed. It is exciting to be a part of this project.”