The announcement is part of a global strategic partnership between the two companies signed in 2019 establishing their joint vision and cooperation for future flexible production with automation systems and wireless communications as part of Industry 4.0 and digitalization.

With the agreement signed in Thailand, Ericsson will become ABB’s ‘Preferred Connectivity Partner’ in the country. This agreement provides a framework and opportunity for ABB and Ericsson to jointly accelerate the digital transformation of diverse enterprises across Thailand and to enhance support for ABB’s customers with 5G connectivity expertise.

The focus areas of the partnership include ABB’s Robotics & Discrete Automation, Industrial Automation and Motion business areas, as well as ABB Ability^TM Platform Services. The collaboration will for instance cover 5G enabled Augmented Reality Lenses for remote commissioning in manufacturing environments in addition to global NB-IoT connected motors and drives through Ericsson Communication Service Provider partners and its IoT-Accelerator platform.

“ABB and Ericsson have long partnered on research projects in Europe to study the role and benefit of 5G in flexible automation and production. Powered by 5G, the deployment and operations of large fleets of autonomous machines and robots is becoming a reality. Our partnership in Thailand means we will work together to accelerate the full potential of 5G for industrial manufacturing, opening the door for new digital opportunities in support of Thailand’s adoption of Industry 4.0,” said Gianandrea Bruzzone, Country Managing Director, ABB Thailand.

ABB has a history embedded in the development of Thailand’s utility and industrial sectors since the first motor delivery to Siam Cement in 1913. ASEA and BBC were established in Thailand in 1978 and 1982, respectively, becoming ABB in 1988 with the merger of the two companies. “For more than four decades, ABB Thailand has been collaborating with individuals, authorities, and organizations, in the utilities and industrial sectors as well as in the buildings, transport and infrastructure sectors to support the growth of Thailand’s economy,” said Bruzzone.

Nadine Allen, Head of Ericsson Thailand said: “Our partnership with ABB will enable us to take the full benefit of 5G connectivity to enterprises across industries including manufacturing, airports, ports, oil & gas and mining. 5G networks will be as important for industrial enterprises as 4G is indispensable for smartphone users. For many, the immediate value of 5G lies not primarily in high speed and low latencies. Instead, requirements such as reliability, real-time positioning, security and privacy matters most.”

Ericsson has been present in Thailand for 114 years and has supported Thailand through generations of mobility. “We are proud and honored to be able to support Thailand on its journey towards Industry 4.0. Given our experience in deploying 5G across 61 live networks; we are well placed to transform and digitalize the local manufacturing sector” added Allen.

In January 2020, ABB and Ericsson collaborated at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to demonstrate for the first time how easily and effectively robots can be controlled over wide distances utilizing the real-time communication capabilities of 5G.