The companies plan to integrate XR, Digital Twin technologies and AI into the manufacturing sector
In a major step toward accelerating Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 adoption in India, Ericsson, Volvo Group and Bharti Airtel have announced a strategic research partnership focused on integrating Extended Reality (XR), Digital Twin technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the manufacturing sector.
The collaboration, which will take place at Volvo Group’s Factory and R&D Centre in Bangalore, aims to leverage 5G and 5G Advanced (5G-A) to enhance industrial operations, improve workforce training and drive real-time process optimization.
The companies said that one of the key areas of research will be Industrial Metaverse applications, including human-machine interaction and collaboration. By blending the physical and digital worlds, the initiative will experiment with immersive digital platforms for real-time process optimization and workforce training using AI-powered XR solutions.
“Our industry is undergoing a once-in-a-lifetime transformation driven by automation, connectivity, and alternative energy carriers,” said Kamal Bali, president & MD, Volvo Group India. “5G, combined with XR applications, will foster real-time collaboration across industrial and R&D sites, fueling innovation and sustainability.”
Airtel’s 5G Advanced network will serve as the foundation for these industrial XR applications, enabling ultra-low latency and high-speed connectivity to support real-time simulations, design prototyping and immersive training.
Beyond operational efficiencies, the initiative is expected to support network readiness for Industrial XR, unlocking new revenue streams and business models for telecom providers. By advancing smart factory solutions, the research will contribute to the digital transformation of manufacturing ecosystems, positioning India as a hub for next-generation industrial technologies.
Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India, underlined Ericsson’s commitment to driving industrial innovation through 5G and XR:
“5G will be a game-changer for India’s industrial transformation. This collaboration with Airtel and Volvo Group reinforces our vision of intelligent, connected, and immersive manufacturing experiences powered by network technology and cutting-edge XR applications.”
