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5G-Enabled Connected and Automated Logistics (CAL)
5G CAL will deliver a huge stride forward in Connected and Automated Logistics (CAL), taking 5G enabled solutions out of the testbed into an operational manufacturing environment.
Title
5G-Enabled Connected and Automated Logistics (CAL)
Academic Staff
Prof Phil Blythe, Dr Paul Goodman, Dr Jin Xing
Researchers
Mr Simon Edwards, Dr Shuo Li, Dr Yanghanzi Zhang
Contact
Partners
The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), Vantec Europe Limited, Streetdrone Limited, Perform Green Limited, Coventry University, Connected Places Catapult, Sunderland City Council.
Dates
September 2020 to February 2022
Sponsors
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS)
Description
This £4.9m project will receive £2.4m from the Government’s £30m 5G Create competition and deliver a huge stride forward in CAL, proving last mile delivery for an autonomous HGV up to 40 tonnes on a private road. The project aims to drive operational efficiencies and improved productivity while continuing to develop a globally unique centre of excellence and operational test facility for CAL. The 5G-connected trucks will be piloted in distributing parts and assemblies across the Nissan Sunderland plant, linking to many local SMEs in the supply chain. 5G is essential as it will uniquely enable the removal of the safety driver from the process, allowing remote teleoperations to overcome abnormal situations.
5G CAL will deliver a huge stride forward in Connected and Automated Logistics (CAL), taking 5G enabled solutions out of the testbed into an operational manufacturing environment. Newcastle University and partners will deliver 5G-connected, autonomous 40-tonne trucks to distribute parts and assemblies across the Nissan plant, linking to many local SMEs in their supply chain. As with 5G FoF, this is about driving operational efficiencies and improving productivity. Their vision is to develop a globally unique centre of excellence and operational test facility for CAL which includes trials at the Nissan Sunderland site.
Phil Blythe, Professor of Intelligent Transport Systems, Newcastle University said: ‘This is an important project that plays to the strengths of both the University and the region and signals our intent to be a significant player in future transport systems.’
‘The regional capabilities and the 5G testbed that will be established by the project will provide a solid foundation for the North East to continue to be an innovative proving ground for smart transport technologies to meet our objectives of tackling decarbonisation, levelling up and growing the economy through the productivity gains that autonomous last-mile logistics can deliver. This is a strategic project of National Importance, aligns with Department for Transport priorities and my team are delighted to be part of it.’
Paul Butler, Chief Executive of the North East Automotive Alliance, said:
‘Automated last mile logistics is one of the major innovation challenges, this is especially true in the automotive sector with its synchronous and highly complexed supply chains. This project will prove last mile delivery for an autonomous HGV, the 5G will uniquely enable the removal of the safety driver from the process, allowing remote teleoperations to overcome abnormal situations. Through our industrial base and the unique assets of our road transport sector the North East offers a globally unique location to support the design, development and manufacture of Connected and Automated Logistics solutions. This project represents a major opportunity to support and accelerate economic growth, creating an exemplar that will encourage further private and public sector investment.’