NEC Corporation and Toyota Technical Development Corporation today announced the development of a stable wireless control system for cars and other moving objects in factories and warehouses.
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This system pairs NEC Wireless-connection Stabilization Software (NOTE) with communication modules developed by TTDC, which are then mounted onto cars, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and the like to ensure stable communication that is free from disruptions and interference. By resolving these issues of roaming-based communication with moving objects, the developed system enables real-time data acquisition and command transmission, helping to increase the productivity and efficiency of production sites.
This system has already been introduced at the Motomachi Plant of Toyota Motor Corporation and is contributing to efforts to boost productivity using wireless communication inside the plant.
The two companies intend to apply the knowledge gained through this partnership to systems that perform wireless control of AGVs, machine tools, robots, and the like, collect inspection data, and transmit programs for Toyota Motor Corporation and other customers in the manufacturing field.
The digital transformation (DX) of the manufacturing field through automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) is accelerating as companies aim to boost productivity and respond to growing labor shortages. In particular, there is an increasing need for highly reliable and low-delay wireless communication systems for AGVs and robots used over wide areas or across different processes. Stable wireless communication is recognized as a serious issue in factories and warehouses that are full of equipment and facilities that block radio waves and make flexible changes in production lines difficult.
This system developed by NEC and TTDC realizes stable communication with moving objects by maintaining strong wireless reception, identifying low-interference communication paths with other wireless devices in real time, and seamlessly switching to these paths.
System Characteristics:
1. Real-time identification of high-quality communication paths and rapid switching
Using NEC’s proprietary technology, this system identifies usable communication bands in real time based on how congested the bands are as well as the field strength of the access points, enabling seamless transition to high-quality communication paths and access points. This enables stable wireless communication even in environments where levels of reception and congestion are constantly changing.
2. Use of existing access points through network virtualization technology
Again using NEC’s proprietary technology, this system creates a virtual image of the entire wireless communication space and switches to the appropriate communication paths on this virtualized network, stabilizing the wireless connections without the use of sophisticated access point functions. This allows the system to be used with existing access points and network equipment.
3. Simple mounting onto moving objects using a compact module
Using TTDC’s proprietary technology, this system was implemented within a compact module (board size: 72 x 44 mm) for simple mounting in a wide range of moving objects with limited installation space.
This system will be showcased at the Wireless Technology Park (WTP) 2022 exhibition to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from Wednesday, May 25 to Friday, May 27.
(NOTE) This solution was developed by NEC using research results from the Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP Phase 2)/Physical Space Digital Data Processing Infrastructure project run by the Cabinet Office of Japan with management support from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), as well as research results from the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT).
About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies while promoting the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes taking place in both society and the market as it provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For more information, visit NEC at https://www.nec.com.
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