Google and Verizon announced yesterday they have teamed up to bring the “power of the cloud” closer to mobile and connected devices. The venture will use Verizon’s network and support real-time enterprise applications, according to a release.
Verizon 5G Edge will use Google Distributed Cloud Edge’s compute and storage services enabling bandwidth and low latency to support mobile robots, intelligent logistics, and factory automation across industries like retail and manufacturing. The goal is to allow businesses to gain operational efficiencies, higher levels of security and reliability, and improved productivity.
Verizon and Google Cloud also plan to develop public 5G mobile edge computing for developers and enterprises. This solution will enable the building and deployment of applications in various U.S. locations.
According to Rima Qureshi, Chief Strategy Officer at Verizon, the partnership will allow “customers the ability to connect and manage a broad range of devices at scale and speed.” She added, “By working with partners like Google Cloud and Ericsson, we’re building the 5G edge compute ecosystem that will enable enterprises in many industries to benefit from having a completely dedicated private network and edge compute infrastructure on-premise.”
Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, said, “By bringing intelligence from data centers to the network edge, Verizon 5G Edge with Google Distributed Cloud Edge will allow customers to build new cross-industry edge solutions, unlock new revenue models, and transform the next generation of customer experiences.”
Verizon is also bringing Ericsson into the fold to pilot 5G Edge with Google Distributed Cloud Edge as part of a proof of concept at its USA 5G Smart Factory. The first test case involves a robot that will scan packages, reporting on inventory in the factory’s warehouse. Using computer vision, the robot will then communicate the bar code and shipping label data via 5G and mobile edge computing to the inventory management system, providing real-time analytics to improve logistics.
“Ericsson’s Smart Factory is where we’re putting the principles of the Fourth Industrial Revolution into action,” said Niklas Heuveldop, President and Head of Ericsson North America. “Testing this technology with autonomous mobile robots in our Smart Factory is an important step on the journey to the factory of the future.”
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