KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN – ASE, Chunghwa Telecom and Qualcomm Technologies unveiled a 5G smart factory here. The ASE 5G smart factory is powered by a private 5G mmWave network service provided by Chunghwa Telecom, supported by Qualcomm’s mmWave platform.

Three use cases were identified for the deployment: artificial intelligence and automated guided vehicles, smart transportation, remote augmented reality assistance and the AR experience @ASE Green Technology Education Center.

ASE engineers can monitor and report data from a control room using big data. Engineers can synchronize with others at different locations to service equipment and hardware.

ASE factories discharge water to a recycling facility that is then treated and redistributed back to the manufacturing lines for reuse.

The launch of the 5G mmWave smart factory will help industry develop more enterprise use cases for private 5G networks, and ASE will incorporate 5G use-case applications when building plans for new factories.

"The increased complexity of the supply chain, characterized by the fast-changing pace of market demands and technology advancements, have set unprecedented challenges for the manufacturing industry,” said Tien Wu, CEO, ASE. “Smart factories that offer a fully connected and highly intelligent operational system represent the next great leap for ASE to optimize manufacturing performance and enhance our value to customers. The endless economic benefits derived from the transition to smart manufacturing and automation are key drivers of ASE’s foray into 5G smart factories. Our partnership with Chunghwa Telecom and Qualcomm demonstrate the efficacy of a private network powered by 5G mmWave technology deployed for enterprises. The introduction of 5G mmWave technology also allows us to expand our operational scope in line with our Industry 4.0 strategy. Today’s development is not only a significant milestone for ASE and our partners, but also serves as a beacon of Taiwan’s leadership in 5G technology."

"In Taiwan, the available 28GHz mmWave bandwidth for 5G networks is more than nine times that of 3.5GHz and satisfies the high-speed and low-latency requirements by enterprises,” said Sheih Chi-Mau, chairman of Chunghwa Telecom. “Chunghwa Telecom has the highest mmWave frequency spectrum of 600MHz in Taiwan, and is focusing its research and development on 5G, IoT, AI, information security and big data applications. Under the tripartite cooperation, Chunghwa Telecom is responsible for the enterprise-specific private 5G mmWave network deployed at ASE. We are pleased to support the program to boost domestic development of the 5G industry, while contributing to improving the overall efficiency of smart manufacturing and production."

ST Liew, VP, Qualcomm Technologies Asia-Pacific and president of Qualcomm Taiwan and South East Asia, added, “We believe the use of a full 5G spectrum helps realize the true potential of 5G’s high-speed, low-latency and increased bandwidth features that are necessary for smart factory functions such as real-time data processing and remote AR assistance. Taiwan has a pool of talent in OEM and ODM manufacturing, as well as key technologies that could leverage opportunities in 5G applications."