- NTT Data talked to Fierce about enabling semi-autonomous operations, while at MWC in Las Vegas
- Now one driver can do the job of three, an NTT exec noted
- Multi-site private networks are also top of mind for NTT currently
Edge AI and 5G private networks are helping companies develop “semi-autonomous” or “assisted autonomous” systems for trucks and other vehicles in remote work situations, NTT Data told Fierce at MWC Las Vegas.
Like vendors such as Nokia, Ericsson and Huawei, NTT is going more fully into automation with some of its latest private network projects.
Parm Sandhu, VP of enterprise 5G products and services at NTT, said at the show that the time has come where not all the machines on a work site, like a mine or building site, need a individual driver all time. You can have a driver switch between a semi-autonomous truck or a loader, depending on the task that needs to be done.
“So now, one driver can do the job of three people,” Sandhu stated.
The key is that these kind of semi-self-driving operations can only be undertaken with AI, private networks and edge computing in place, he added.
Sandhu said that NTT Data designs and engineers private networks from RF gear on down. This includes the security features and the devices to be used on the network, with Sandhu noting that the company has a good relationship with Zebra and Honeywell. “We use a lot of gateways and routers to connect legacy devices,” he said.
The company sources cellular radios from Celona, Nokia and Ericsson. “We'll add more when they're ready,” he said. NTT is talking to HPE’s Aruba unit presently, he added.
Multi-Sites
Sandhu noted that NTT has worked on private networks with BMW Group on its Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, as well as its factory in Leipzig, Germany. NTT has also deployed private networks in the city of Brownsville, Texas, and the Frankfurt airport in Germany.
“It's one of probably the world's largest private networks” based on the area covered, commented Sandhu.
SNS Telecom & IT said in its latest private network report that BMW Group is one of the enterprises rolling out “multi-site, multi-national” private network deployments at factories around the world. Sandhu noted BMW is one of a growing cohort: "We're starting to see a lot of multi-sites."
He added one client has rolled out 30 sites so far. He wouldn’t name the company yet – noting that NTT is still awaiting full PR approval – but will once that is allowed.