Last October 15 and 16, we were present, accompanying Telefónica at the 7th National Industry Congress, held at the CCIB in Barcelona.
Under the motto “Strategic industrial autonomy: securing our future,” the event addressed the need for the European Union to increase its productivity to maintain competitiveness in an era dominated by digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and semiconductor manufacturing. It is essential to undertake a transformation process that allows the industry to adjust to a constantly evolving environment, integrating the most advanced technologies and expanding their use to accelerate both automation and innovation.
Telefónica, as a driving brand, highlighted the importance of digitalization to improve the competitiveness and resilience of Spanish companies. It positioned itself as a key integrator, offering solutions that allow industries to adapt to changing environments and incorporate advanced technologies to accelerate both automation and innovation.
In addition, it underscored the relevance of hyperconnectivity and data-driven management as fundamental pillars of industrial transformation. Collaboration with industry leaders, such as Siemens, whose agreement details were presented during the event, reinforces their commitment to integrating industrial technologies into advanced network infrastructures, facilitating the transition towards more connected and efficient factories.
Industrial Demonstrator and Objectives
In the exhibition area, an industrial demonstrator jointly developed by Nokia, Siemens, and Telefónica for the Congress was shown, highlighting the integration of private 5G technologies with industrial processes. Below is a summary of the main aspects:
Objective and Technology
The demonstration uses private 5G networks (Nokia’s NDAC product) to connect existing OT networks and WiFi solutions, along with the new generation of Siemens’ SCADAs (WinCC OA). The aim is to exemplify how these technologies can transform industrial processes when integrated into a wired/wireless hybrid environment.
Simulated Scenario
- Automotive sector: simulation of a sequential body assembly workshop.
- Two key blocks:
- Real-time assembly monitoring, including an autonomous mobile robot (AMR).
- Recording the vehicle’s serial number (VIN) using an industrial robot.
Infrastructure and Configuration
The demo was divided between the Siemens and Telefónica booths.
- Siemens Booth: SIMATIC S7-1500 PLC, controlling the simulated process.
- Telefónica Booth: NDAC 5G solution for a private network, connecting the PLCs with the OT network and the hyperSCADA.
- SCALANCE MUM800 Router: Allows for the wireless connection of the PLCs to the 5G network.
Results and Visualizations
- Development of a hybrid industrial network with real-time visualization capability through the hyperSCADA.
- Applications created to monitor the assembly process, production analytics, and event management.
Potential Impact
- Reduction of reconfiguration times and improvement in industrial productivity (up to 25%).
- An adaptable and secure solution for critical industrial environments, facilitating a transition towards “Wireless” factories.
This demonstrator illustrates how 5G connectivity can integrate industrial networks and optimize processes with advanced automation technologies, cybersecurity, and resilience.
Conclusions
- Industrial and resilient digitalization: Industrial digitalization seeks to integrate advanced technologies to adapt to a changing environment and improve productivity. This includes robotization, traceability, and digital tools in critical sectors.
- Current challenges: Overcoming process fragmentation, implementing hybrid network architectures (Edge, cloud, OT/IT), and adopting resilient and secure solutions.
- Private 5G networks: Offer flexibility, robustness, and advanced connectivity to integrate wireless and wired environments.
- Expected impact: Technologies like these are fundamental to facilitating the transition towards more connected, scalable, and efficient factories, with clear benefits in terms of competitiveness and industrial resilience.
Participation in round tables
Telefónica participated in three roundtables:
1. Resilient Digitalization
Moderated by Dario Cesena, CEO of Geprom Connecting Industries | Part of Telefónica Tech, and with companies such as Fini Golosinas and Siemens. The roundtable analyzed the impact of new factories enabled by technologies like 5G and private networks.
Main reflections:
- Resilient digitalization depends on a combination of data availability and precision.
- Selecting the right partner to navigate the long journey of digitalization.
- Fostering and developing talent, as people are the central pillar of this transformation.
“I believe that to achieve resilient factories, we have to combine connected talent, the technology layer, and the ability to integrate systems, to bring the benefits that technology gives us down to the day-to-day processes,” Dario Cesena.
2. The Path of AI in the Industry and the Importance of Data
With Elena Gil Lizasoain, Business Unit Director, Artificial Intelligence & Data at Telefónica Tech, and companies such as SEAT S.A. and Navantia, S.A., S.M.E.
The discussion focused on how Artificial Intelligence and shared data spaces are fundamental enablers for industrial value chains.
3. Industrial Cybersecurity
With Rosalia Simon, Cyber and Cloud Global Consulting Director at Telefónica Tech.
The discussion centered on the importance of protecting factory and logistics infrastructures against cyber threats and regulatory challenges such as NIS2.