Ericsson's smart factory in Lewisville, Texas, has produced its first 5G base station. The first product manufactured at the factory is the millimeter-wave Street Macro solution, part of Ericsson’s 5G portfolio for its North American customers. All radio-access components are housed in one lightweight enclosure, enabling service providers to rapidly grow 5G coverage in complex city environments. The Street Macro solution is also helping to provide Ericsson’s 5G-enabled connectivity in the smart factory, according to its maker.
Erik Simonsson, head of Ericsson’s USA 5G Smart Factory, said, “We’re excited to produce advanced 5G radio products for our US customers, to meet the demand for next-generation 5G networks across the country. It’s also exciting to use our own 5G products in the factory for wireless connectivity to increase production efficiency. With the first 5G base stations now rolling off the production line, we are on target this year to have the most fully automated, sustainable 5G smart factory in the US.”
Ericsson claims that its fast and secure 5G connectivity will enable the smart factory with agile operations and flexible production, utilizing industrial solutions such as automated warehouses, connected logistics, automated assembly, packing, product handling and autonomous carts. Ericsson will initially employ approximately 100 people at the facility.
