The research project Autonomous and Connected Logistics started in September 2019 and is now entering the practice phase . Its goal is to try a widely automated production process in which autonomous transport systems, logistics robots and mobile devices communicate with each other and with the management system. BMW wants to organize digital communication over a 5G campus network. The car manufacturer outsourced the network planning and operation to M3connect , based in Rosenheim, Germany, whose main task to date has been to build the WLAN infrastructure. WLAN technology is currently used by many industrial enterprises because it is tried and tested and cost-effective. However, WLAN systems up to specification 802.11ac cannot implement fixed signal propagation delays for individual devices or services. This means that tight-knit control of autonomous transport systems is not possible with this technology.

BMW is working on the project together with the mechanical engineers at Stäubli WFT and the Institute for Engineering Design of Mechatronic Systems & MPLM . The Bavarian Government is contributing about 3.23 million euros and BMW itself is investing around 4.8 million euros.