In a major push towards Industry 4.0 and 5.0 adoption in India, Ericsson, Volvo Group, and Airtel have announced a research collaboration to explore 5G-powered Extended Reality (XR), Digital Twins, and AI applications in the manufacturing sector.
The partnership, which will take place at Volvo Group’s R&D Centre and factory in Bangalore, aims to revolutionize industrial operations by leveraging 5G Advanced technology to enable real-time process optimization, workforce training, and human-machine collaboration.
Transforming Manufacturing with 5G Advanced
The research will focus on Industrial Metaverse applications, blending the physical and digital worlds through AI-driven automation. This will allow manufacturers to test ‘what if’ scenarios, prototype designs faster, and enhance remote collaboration, without disrupting actual production workflows.
A key element of the initiative is Airtel’s 5G Advanced network, which will serve as the backbone for real-time simulations, connected workflows, and autonomous factory operations. With ultra-low latency and high-speed capabilities, the next-gen 5G infrastructure will be critical in scaling XR applications across multiple industrial sites.
Unlocking New Efficiencies and Revenue Streams
Beyond driving operational efficiencies, the research will also explore new revenue streams for telecom operators. By enabling seamless 5G-powered industrial applications, the collaboration could reshape connectivity solutions for smart factories, helping businesses scale operations effortlessly.
Speaking about the partnership, Kamal Bali, President & MD, Volvo Group India, highlighted the importance of connectivity and automation in industrial transformation. “5G, coupled with Extended Reality applications, will foster real-time innovation and collaboration, helping us shape a sustainable future,” he said.
5G’s Role in Smart Factory Ecosystems
Sharat Sinha, CEO of Airtel Business, emphasized how 5G-powered solutions will redefine industrial processes. “Our high-speed, low-latency 5G network will drive real-time XR applications, enhancing efficiency, unlocking new revenue streams, and accelerating Industry 4.0 adoption.”
Meanwhile, Nitin Bansal, MD, Ericsson India, noted that 5G is a game-changer in transforming manufacturing into intelligent, connected, and immersive experiences. He added, “This partnership underscores Ericsson’s commitment to driving 5G innovation through XR. The insights gained will shape industrial digitization globally.”
Also read: Samsung, KDDI Partner for AI-Driven 6G
Paving the Way for India’s Digital Manufacturing Future
As more industries adopt digital transformation, this initiative will help telecom networks meet the growing demand for XR-driven smart factory solutions. With the Indian government actively promoting 5G adoption in manufacturing, the collaboration between Ericsson, Volvo, and Airtel marks a crucial step in positioning India as a global leader in smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0.
