You would expect tech giant Samsung to innovate when it comes to digital factories , and the South Korean company does not disappoint . The pioneering Samsung Networks Smart Factory , regarded as the birthplace of innovation when it comes to telecommunications equipment , is now fitted with a commercial 5G network that is providing additional gains in manufacturing flexibility and productivity . Working in conjunction with Korea Telecom ( KT ), Samsung deployed an end-to-end 5G solution – a private network that means data does not need to travel to the data centre , thereby increasing speeds and security , with all traffic kept ‘ in-house ’. Samsung has expanded this 5G network to a factory in the US , allowing the implementation of the latest artificial intelligence , robotics , IIoT and mixed reality to boost efficiency and innovation . More than 70 % of the manufacturing process is automated , with deep learning and AI technologies monitoring quality control and accurately detecting any defects . All data is sent in real-time through the 5G network . IoT sensors look at temperature , humidity and dust levels to ensure that factory conditions are ideal for production line equipment and Automatic Guided Vehicles ( AGVs ) deliver materials to work stations or transport completed products to storage .

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