The world's fifth generation mobile network, 5g, ushered in its first implementation in 2019. At present, the four major players in the UK telecom industry have launched their 5g networks all over Europe. EE is the first leader. At present, its coverage exceeds O2, Vodafone and the UK. According to EE, they now have connections in 160 towns.
5g has a faster speed than its predecessor 4G. It also has higher capacity, less latency, more uniformity, and better utilization of resources. The bad news is that you need a new device to connect to the new system.
At first glance, people may associate 5g with mobile phones rather than others. However, 5g will be a major player in the "Internet of things" (described in the next section). The way it works in the warehouse environment is to strengthen connectivity.
With the development of technology in the workplace, an organization's machines and tools will be effective only under its limitations. Automatic forklifts, conveyors, cameras and other digital devices need a way to communicate with each other to improve work efficiency and productivity. This element is where 5g network can simplify company processes and production tasks.
The warehouse manager can arrange tasks such as predictive maintenance and repair through the real-time feedback of artificial intelligence forklift on 5g network. Dealing with potential problems before they occur is only a cost saving measure of this technological progress in forklift fleet management.
Influence of 5g technology on forklift industry
This network will not only modernize the workplace, but also open up opportunities that would not have been possible before now.
5g will enable operators to remotely control forklifts. Therefore, forklift drivers can avoid the danger of interaction with heavy equipment, excessive loads and extreme temperatures. Like many office workers, forklift drivers will be able to work from home.
Switching to 5g network can create jobs for organizations that need to update their equipment before full implementation. The company will need skilled workers to install the system so that all digital devices are compatible and have a seamless dialogue with each device during the event.
Geodis, a global logistics supplier, recently successfully completed their first remote operation of a forklift in cooperation with phantom auto, a software company. The vehicle is actually located in France, but is controlled by an operator in California.
The company said remote operation would open up a more diverse workplace for the forklift industry, including women and the disabled. A forklift driver can also drive different machines in different places on the same working day.
Thailand has also successfully conducted a remote forklift operation through 5g network. The forklift is located in Saraburi, while the driver is sitting 110 kilometers away in Bangkok. They can operate the forklift in real time and smoothly transport the pallet from a to B.
This test is encouraging. Future implementation may lead to remote forklift operator training, social remote work, and improve the country's competitiveness in the forklift industry. 5g is crucial because its fast speed and large data capacity allow a smooth connection between the forklift operator and the machine.
The limitation of 5g enabled devices is that they depend on the ability to connect to 5g networks. Any company that wants to implement this technology in their warehouse must be located where it gets a strong signal. This also makes them vulnerable to interference in case of network interruption or problems.
5g infrastructure is improving rapidly, and signal towers appear everywhere. However, unless there are enough signal towers nearby to provide reliable signals, small weather events may disrupt the operation of forklifts.
Although 5g environment is very advanced, any interference will hinder productivity and cause efficiency problems. These problems will cause the company to lose potential profits due to unforeseen shutdown. It may also prevent workers in the warehouse from manually operating forklift equipment during these downtime, resulting in more organizational losses.
Facilities located in rural areas may not yet have the towers needed to remotely drive a forklift fleet. Before infrastructure or technology catch up, 5g's wide adaptation in the distribution environment may be slow.
Big companies like Toyota, Geodis, Linde, cesab and Hester can make all AI forklifts they may decide. However, unless infrastructure exists, these types of forklifts will not have much impact in the industry.
