The Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT and the Swedish telecommunications equipment provider Ericsson are setting up the 5G Industry Campus Europe on the Melaten campus of RWTH Aachen University. This is the largest industrial research network for the 5G wireless standard in Europe. The project will be supported over the next three years by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure with €6.2 million.

The 5G campus covers an area of around one square kilometer, with a further 7000 m2 in several machine halls. The scientists and engineers involved want to investigate the practical use of 5G technology in industry, such as the application of 5G sensor technology to monitor complex production processes. Further research areas include mobile robotics and the creation of production chains across sites. The project is intended to provide manufacturing companies with information about the technical opportunities and application potential of 5G.