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Understanding 5G – The backbone of the industrial Internet

2020-12-06T03:29:00.002-08:00

A data-driven "fourth industrial revolution" has long been predicted. Now, the backbone for that platform is finally becoming a reality. The long-promised benefits of cyber-physical industrial systems are within sight

The year 2019 will be remembered as the year that true cellular connectivity for the Internet of Things (IoT) finally got going. Nowadays not a week goes by without a new announcement of a new 4G NB-IoT / LTE-M network rollout. Yet the future for industry is already racing towards the fifth generation (5G) of wireless communication technology.

5G promises lightning-fast speed, barely noticeable latency (or communication response time) and vastly increased capacity. All four major U.S. carriers have green-lighted test networks and partial implementations in some cities.

The benefits of marrying the physical world with digital technologies have been discussed for what seems like a generation. Many industries could use the intelligence gleaned from connected systems to gain critical insights about their operations and how to make improvements that will make a genuine difference to their bottom line. While 4G is already creating dramatic improvements for industries around the world, it’s 5G that’s creating the greater buzz.

Data alone is not enough

Jani Vilenius, Director of Research and Technology at Sandvik, says that data is already driving industry around the world: “Everyone is already collecting, and to a certain extent using data. But improved connectivity is needed to truly utilize the data and add business value. When we add more Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and voice/image recognition into everyday systems, the bandwidth requirements mean 5G is inevitable to leverage the new capabilities.”

Industry 4.0 was supposed to bring about these benefits, but up until now there’s been a crucial element missing. Turning the idea of a collaborative, adaptive, real-time industrial digital system into a reality needs a truly agile communications infrastructure.

Beyond incremental improvement

You can be forgiven for thinking the move from 4G to 5G is merely about incremental speed improvements, with little need for all the hype. After all, the 4G/LTE (Long Term Evolution) communications architecture of today has hooked up approximately 3 billion mobile devices.

But in truth, the difference between 4G and 5G is not like comparing one iPhone model with the next, it’s more like comparing a horse and buggy to an electric race car.

Yes, 3G and 4G technology is most often equated with smartphones. That’s because the systems were designed for voice and mobile data respectively. And while it’s true that 5G’s dramatic speed increases will mean so much more than just higher-quality streaming and lightning quick downloads, the fact that it’s been designed from the ground up for data connectivity will be the game changer.

Faster connectivity and low-to-no latency will unlock operational benefits in every industry on the planet. Up until now there has been only talk, but with test systems now in place, those operational benefits are becoming clear.

Taking the connected factory to the next level

In a market reliant on data-intensive machine applications, the higher speeds and low latency of 5G is required for the effective use of autonomous robotics technology, wearables and virtual reality.

Unlike previous jumps in levels of technology in industry, 5G won’t fundamentally redesign the production line. But what it will do is offer manufacturers an opportunity to build smart factories that can adapt to changing market conditions.

The increasing capabilities of smart devices and the factories that make them won’t just impact competition within a set industry. As competition shifts from product-based to system-based, formerly clear industry boundaries will be blurred. Traditional manufacturing companies may soon find they are competing as part of a much broader automation industry, for example.

Healthcare: Enabling remote surgery

The low latency of 5G is set to revolutionize the healthcare industry, most notably in the operating theater. Experienced surgeons can advise more junior colleagues via a video connection or could even operate the surgical device remotely. You could be forgiven for thinking this sounds unlikely, yet it’s already happened.

In early 2019, the world’s first live surgery via remote assistance took place successfully in China. An experienced surgeon inserted a stimulation device in the brain of a Parkinson's patient. The almost instantaneous latency of 2 milliseconds allowed the surgeon to accurately conduct the procedure as if they were right next to the patient, whereas in fact they were 3,000 kilometers away. The latency resembles surgery using a traditional cabled monitor solution.

Autonomous technology on the road and underground

The improvements to network latency will give applications and devices the ability to communicate in close-to real-time. This should ease the safety concerns of autonomous vehicles, providing them the ability to constantly communicate with the ever-changing environment around them.

This of course will have significant impact on mining operations, something Sandvik is aware of. Already, Sandvik has signed an agreement with Nokia to further develop solutions based on private LTE and 5G technology, much of which will take place at the Sandvik test mine in Tampere, Finland.

“Our focus to date has been on private LTE technology, which offers speed, latency, reliability and privacy benefits over Wi-Fi. It’s one of the technologies our customers are asking for now,” explains Vilenius. The benefit to Sandvik in focusing on LTE is simple. (LTE stands for Long-term Evolution and isn’t as much a technology as it is the path followed to achieve 4G speeds).

Jani Vilenius, Director of Research and Technology at Sandvik

Customer demand is there, and the hardware can easily be upgraded to 5G when the time comes.

Natarajan's journey - a story of guts and glory

2020-12-06T03:07:00.000-08:00

T. Natarajan has seen poverty from close where the next meal was a challenge. Son of a daily wage construction labourer, he was up against it from the start.

One day his story could be a blockbuster on the silver screen. Such is the toil, the sacrifice, the drama and the passion behind his tale.

Thangarasu Natarajan has seen poverty from close where the next meal was a challenge. Son of a daily wage construction labourer, Natarajan was up against it from the start.

From there, to the present day when he has been picked in the Indian team for the Twenty20 series in Australia. His journey is surely one of guts and glory.

Cricket was his passion. It was also a relief, an escape from the life he was leading.

His is a remarkable against-all-odds narrative, from the dusty lanes of Chinnappampatti, a hamlet near Salem, to the demanding highway of the Indian Premier League, and then to the Indian team.From breaching defences with a tennis ball to shattering stumps with a leather ball, from obscurity to making headlines.

At 29, he is not young but each year represents a struggle; he overcame problems with action and injuries.

This IPL was a game-changer for Natarajan. He put his foot on the accelerator for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Filling out well and extracting more out of his action, Natarajan’s pace was up to the high 130s. And then he sent down yorkers at will.

Natarajan comprehends his release point extremely well - a trait he learnt while playing tennis ball cricket - the key to bowling toe crushers.

His yorker to castle the mercurial AB de Villiers in the Eliminator was arguably the ball of the tournament. Such well-directed yorkers delivered at speeds close to 140kmph are hard to negotiate. Natarajan's bowling in death overs was not daunted by reputations.

Now, he will be on the flight to Australia. Bumrah and Natarajan unleashing yorkers at the finish. It will be quite a sight.

UK Royals are looking for a housekeeper. Starting salary Rs 18.5 lakh

2020-12-06T00:03:00.006-08:00

The UK Royals are looking for a housekeeper at a starting salary of Rs 18.5 lakh. The selected candidate will live at Windsor Castle.

The British Royal Family are looking for a housekeeper and will pay you Rs 18.5 lakh as starting salary if you make the cut. The Royals posted the job listing on the official website of The Royal Household. According to the post, it is a Level 2 Apprenticeship job, which will require the selected candidate to live at Windsor Castle.

WHAT IS THE JOB?

Like we just told you, it is a Level 2 Apprenticeship job. The selected candidate will need to live at the Windsor Castle in the UK. You need to work five days a week.

HOW MUCH DOES THE ROYAL JOB PAY?

Quite a Royal salary, TBH. The Apprenticeship job will pay you (GBP 19,140) Rs 18.5 lakh as a starting salary. The role is offered with a live-in accommodation, for which there is a salary adjustment. Meals will be provided by the Palace, and this also includes travel expenses.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU NEED?

The selected candidate will be moved across other residences of the Royals throughout the year, which includes the Buckingham Palace. The comprehensive benefits package also includes 33 days holiday (including Bank holidays). The candidate is also required to gain a qualification in English and Maths.

BUT...

"If you are successful but don’t already have these qualifications to the required level, we will support you to gain them as part of your apprenticeship," the job post read.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO IF YOU GET THE JOB?

The candidate is also required to keep the interiors of the Palaces clean. Explaining the requirements of the job, their post read, "You’ll join our team of Housekeeping professionals; learning on-the-job while you work alongside them to upkeep, clean and care for interiors and items, ensuring they’re presented to their very best."

Most Popular and Expensive Celebrity Cars

2020-12-05T23:58:00.001-08:00

CELEBRITIES HAVE A STATUS AND AN IMAGE TO MAINTAIN

They always feel the need to reflect the glamorous side of showbiz. One way to display their luxurious lifestyle is via their car. They need to have a car that boasts exclusivity. Rap stars and screen icons always top lists of luxury car ownership. In case you were wondering what type of cars they drive, here are the most popular celebrity cars. Some of them have taken it to another level by choosing the most exclusive brands of super cars. From the Telsa Model X to the Lamborghini Huracan, these celebrities expensive cars are both costly to drive and to insure. For some celebrities, however, the price of these lavish vehicles is just pocket change. If they’re not in a celeb limo, you’ll probably find the super-rich in one of the expensive cars on our list.

INTRODUCING LIST OF THE MOST POPULAR CELEBRITY CARS:

LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR, ESTIMATED $750,000 – KANYE WEST

A supercar that is owned by Kanye West, the Lamborghini Aventador, is an exclusive car that costs around $750 thousand. Kanye West has one in royal blue, which is an unusual choice for a super car. In the year 2017, Lamborghini had made only 7,000 Aventadors. This car boasts a 729 HP 6.5-liter V12 engine and is one of the most powerful Lamborghinis ever made. If you floor this car, you can hit 60 MPH in 2.8 seconds. It’s also possible to reach a top speed of around 217 mph, although it’s actually been measured at 230 mph. Despite its excessive speed, it’s one of the most fuel-efficient Lamborghinis.