Ericsson, Volvo Group, and Airtel join forces to drive industry 4.0 & 5.0 adoption in India

The research will be conducted at Volvo Group’s Factory and R&D Centre in Bangalore, focusing on futuristic Industrial Metaverse applications.

Ericsson, Volvo Group, and Bharti Airtel have announced a strategic research partnership to explore the potential of Extended Reality (XR), Digital Twin technologies, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in manufacturing. The collaboration aims to revolutionize industrial operations by leveraging the power of 5G and 5G Advanced, enhancing workforce training, and optimizing real-time processes.

The research will be conducted at Volvo Group’s Factory and R&D Centre in Bangalore, focusing on futuristic Industrial Metaverse applications. This includes exploring human-machine interaction and collaboration, blending the physical and digital worlds to drive efficiency and innovation. The initiative will provide a robust digital platform for immersive training and real-time process enhancements using state-of-the-art AI technologies.

A critical element of this initiative is Airtel’s 5G Advanced network, which will serve as the backbone for industrial XR applications. With ultra-low latency and high-speed capabilities, 5G technology enables real-time simulations, design prototyping, and immersive training across multiple industrial sites. This setup will allow manufacturers to test “what if” scenarios and optimize production workflows without disrupting operations.

Beyond operational efficiencies, the collaboration aims to support Industry 4.0 and 5.0 evolution while unlocking new revenue streams for telecom providers. The research findings will bolster network readiness for Industrial XR, laying the groundwork for immersive communication solutions in smart factories.

Kamal Bali, President & MD, Volvo Group India, emphasized the significance of this transformation, stating, “Our industry is undergoing a once-in-a-lifetime transformation driven by automation, connectivity, and alternative energy carriers—tools essential to achieving Net Zero and shaping a sustainable future. 5G, combined with Extended Reality, will enhance innovation and collaboration across our industrial and R&D sites in real-time.”

Sharat Sinha, Director & CEO – Airtel Business, added, “We are excited to harness the power of our advanced 5G network for groundbreaking industrial applications. This collaboration with Ericsson and Volvo Group will redefine manufacturing by enabling real-time XR applications, boosting efficiency, and unlocking new business opportunities.”

Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India, highlighted the role of 5G in industrial transformation: “As India embraces Industry 4.0, 5G will be a game-changer in enabling intelligent, connected, and immersive industrial experiences. This collaboration underscores Ericsson’s commitment to driving innovation through 5G and XR, shaping the future of manufacturing both in India and globally.”