**South Korea**: Samsung and Hyundai have successfully trialled Reduced Capability (RedCap) technology with a private 5G network at the Ulsan Plant, enhancing smart factory operations and set to revolutionise various industries with robust IoT support and improved efficiency.
Samsung and Hyundai have successfully conducted an end-to-end Reduced Capability (RedCap) trial for smart factories utilizing a private 5G network. This initiative builds upon Samsung’s earlier deployment of such a network within Hyundai’s flagship Ulsan Plant in South Korea, established in October of last year. The Ulsan Plant is notable for being the largest single automobile manufacturing facility in the world, with a production capacity of around 6,000 cars daily.
The recent trial represents a significant leap towards transforming the Ulsan Plant into a modern smart factory. The private 5G network facilitates seamless connectivity between various devices and systems, a move aimed at increasing operational efficiency and enabling real-time data transmission. This network is integral to advanced smart factory systems, including IoT devices and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), which assist in the transportation of components to production lines.
Jae Min Lee, Vice President and Head of the E-FOREST Centre at Hyundai Motor and Kia, stated, “Hyundai Motor was the first Korean company to implement private 5G (P-5G) in mass production. We are also the industry’s first to verify P-5G RedCap technology, reinforcing our global leadership in smart manufacturing solutions. We will continue to accelerate its commercialisation.”
RedCap technology itself is a streamlined version of 5G connectivity, tailored to support smaller IoT devices such as industrial sensors, wearables, and compact wireless tools. This technology enhances battery life and energy efficiency while reducing device complexity, making it an essential factor in the scalability of private 5G networks across various industries, including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and education.
The trials conducted in January at Samsung’s research and development centre illustrated RedCap’s robust capabilities across the full network spectrum—from Hyundai’s vehicle inspection devices to Samsung’s advanced 5G core infrastructure. Samsung’s virtualised 5G Core, 4.7 GHz radios, and network management systems underpinned the trial, ensuring smooth integration with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X35 5G Modem-RF System, which was incorporated into Hyundai’s Diagnostic Scan (D Scan) tools for vehicle inspections.
The D Scan, leveraging 5G connectivity in place of the previous Wi-Fi system, enabled Hyundai to perform wireless inspections during the manufacturing process, a development that has markedly improved the reliability and speed of real-time data transmission and has streamlined the inspection processes necessary to meet production goals.
Simon Lee, Vice President and Head of B2B·B2G Business Development in the Networks Business at Samsung, remarked, “Samsung’s RedCap-powered private 5G network solutions will open up more possibilities for enterprises, manufacturers, and public institutions, serving as a gateway to driving more efficient 5G networks.”
In terms of future expansion, Hyundai plans to extend its RedCap-enabled private 5G network to its upcoming electric vehicle manufacturing facilities, expected to commence operations in the first half of 2026. This transition towards smart factory environments, bolstered by RedCap technology, is set to support a myriad of small, efficient devices across Hyundai’s operations, from sensors and cameras to tablet PCs and AGVs.
As industry analysts forecast, RedCap technology is likely to accelerate the adoption of private 5G networks by lessening power consumption and costs while catering to a diverse range of industrial applications.
Pablo Tomasi, Principal Analyst for Private Networks at Omdia, indicated, “The adoption of RedCap technology will empower private 5G networks to be more efficient and cost-effective, allowing for devices with smaller form factors, longer battery life, and reduced power consumption.”
The collaboration between Samsung and Hyundai is laying groundwork for a new era in industrial automation, which could significantly enhance the landscape of global manufacturing.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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