Vertical: Manufacturing
Application: AI, IoT, robotics
Ecosystem: Ericsson
Private Network: 5G
LG Electronics is celebrating a pioneering achievement as its home appliance manufacturing plant in Clarksville, Tennessee has been named a “Lighthouse Factory” by the World Economic Forum (WEF). This prestigious designation recognizes manufacturing sites leading the integration of advanced Industry 4.0 technologies like AI, IoT, robotics, and big data.
The million-square-foot Tennessee facility represents a significant milestone. At the heart of LG’s “smart factory” is a cutting-edge CBRS-based private 5G network from Ericsson. This high-performance, low-latency wireless connectivity provides the critical backbone for the factory’s masses of connected machines, sensors, and autonomous vehicles to communicate with speed and reliability.
Opened in 2018, the Tennessee plant has an annual production capacity of 1.2 million washing machines and 600,000 dryers. The fully autonomous factory streamlines the entire production process from component manufacturing to final packaging.
One of the advanced technologies driving operations at LG’s smart factory is a private 5G network utilizing 166 automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to handle logistics and transport materials autonomously. Robots are also employed for complex tasks such as assembling components, welding, and lifting heavy parts to enhance workplace safety and productivity. LG leverages AI analytics and digital twin technology to enable quality control and process optimization by virtually replicating the factory state in real-time. Additionally, the facility has implemented smart manufacturing systems that have boosted component productivity by 21%.
The private 5G network not only enables seamless communication between the factory’s robots, machines and systems today but provides a future-proof platform to scale up as LG’s Industry 4.0 ambitions grow.
“Along with the LG Smart Park, LG’s Tennessee factory represents our unmatched leadership in transforming manufacturing facilities into advanced, futuristic hubs utilizing the most revolutionary technologies,” said Lyu Jae-cheol, president of the LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company.
In addition to its technological accomplishments, the Clarksville site showcases LG’s commitment to sustainability, running completely on renewable energy and using high-efficiency smart energy management.
