STILL presents insights from the CampusOS research project
5G as a key success factor for smart intralogistics solutions
Autonomous vehicles, intelligent warehouse management systems, and cloud-based controls are transforming logistics – but their full potential can only be realised with a dependable and high-performance communications infrastructure. The CampusOS research project was launched to address this very challenge. Over the past three years, it explored the deployment of open 5G campus networks in industrial settings. As a key industry partner, the Hamburg-based intralogistics expert STILL assessed the network infrastructures required in warehouses through real-life testing. With the project now complete, STILL presents its findings, highlighting the pivotal role 5G plays in shaping the future of intralogistics.
Efficient intralogistics is increasingly based on Industry 4.0 applications and the automation of logistics processes. Research projects like the ARIBIC project – which was completed in 2024 and focused on real-time 3D mapping, with STILL also participating – as well as open interfaces such as VDA 5050 are accelerating this development. However, seamless communication between AGVs, warehouse management systems (WMS), and control systems requires a stable communication environment with low latency – that is, minimal delay in data transmission. Because even the most advanced AGV fleet becomes inefficient if the infrastructure cannot keep up.
Ansgar Bergmann, project manager for CampusOS at STILL, illustrates the challenge with an analogy: “The capabilities of a high-end smartphone are limited in a dead zone – just as automated and autonomous vehicles rely on stable network coverage to operate efficiently.” Therefore, as part of the CampusOS research project, STILL invested in a 5G-SA campus network at its Hamburg headquarters in 2022 to test central applications such as the latency-free control of autonomous vehicles and the real-time transmission of high-resolution video data. High costs, resulting in low market penetration among customers, along with limited adaptability of existing networks, made it clear to the intralogistics provider that it was necessary to explore alternative options for this technology. This is where the CampusOS project came in, exploring open 5G networks designed to invigorate the market with their unique characteristics.
CampusOS: Open 5G campus networks as a game changer
The research project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action aimed to test the use of open, modular 5G campus networks for industrial applications. An open campus network is a modular 5G solution where key components (such as the radio unit or the 5G core) are separated and replaced with flexible, open building blocks. These can be easily combined and operated independently – even using hardware and software from different manufacturers. Unlike the all-in-one solutions offered by major providers, open campus networks can be more easily customised to suit specific applications, making them both more cost-effective and smarter.
The project explored how an open, modular 5G campus network needs to be structured in order for autonomous vehicles to communicate seamlessly, not just in theory but also in the demanding day-to-day operations. Once again, it became clear that 5G is a more effective alternative to Wi-Fi in intralogistics, which is vulnerable to interference due to its low transmission power and the use of open frequency bands. “The key difference lies in the guaranteed bandwidth and reliability of 5G”, explains Bergmann. “Private 5G uses a frequency spectrum that is specifically licensed for the user and is not publicly accessible. By using network slicing or TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking) techniques, bandwidth is allocated to critical infrastructures, ensuring stable connectivity for numerous devices – from AGVs to handheld scanners and AI-powered camera systems.”
An outlook on the future of smart intralogistics
The insights from CampusOS are groundbreaking for the entire industry, as Industry 4.0 concepts and machine learning depend on robust data processes. Particularly in outdoor areas, where Wi-Fi is often unavailable, 5G could play a key role, for example, in controlling autonomous transport systems. Currently, proprietary 5G networks are still costly, but the use of open 5G campus networks is likely to drive costs down.
Bergmann draws parallels to the development of the smartphone: “At first, using internet-enabled mobile phones was quite costly. But as the number of providers and users grew, prices dropped. We expect a similar trend for 5G in industrial settings.” Therefore, the goal of the project was also to provide a catalogue of technical components that simplifies the implementation of specialised campus networks, thereby making access to the technology easier.
STILL as a driver of digital transformation
“Open 5G systems bring a whole new world of opportunities to intralogistics”, Bergmann concludes. “We are driving the development of this technology for the benefit of our customers. The open networks developed in Hamburg could be directly industrialised, allowing customers to immediately benefit from the results of CampusOS. Additionally, the insights from this project also support further developments in mobile communications, such as 6G or the new 26 GHz band.”
