#Japan #Okayama #IOWN APN #60GHz LAN #Smart Maintenance

IOWN® APN and 60GHz Wireless LAN: Transforming Factory Maintenance

In a groundbreaking initiative, NTT Group, along with 1Finity and Mitsubishi Chemical, has successfully demonstrated a robust, high-capacity, and low-latency communication environment using IOWN® APN and 60GHz wireless LAN technology in the Mizushima industrial complex of Okayama Prefecture. This development aims to support smart maintenance practices in outdoor factory settings, significantly lightening the workload for maintenance personnel.

The Challenge of Maintenance in Outdoor Settings

Traditionally, conducting maintenance on outdoor equipment in large industrial complexes has posed significant challenges. The existing communication infrastructure has often been insufficient for implementing advanced smart maintenance solutions, leading to a stagnation where the need for better communication grows in tandem with the necessity for progressive maintenance strategies. These dual challenges create a cycle that has proven difficult to break.

Recognizing these obstacles, the collaborated parties commenced testing in February 2026 to establish a high-capacity, low-latency communication environment explicitly designed for the outdoor maintenance needs of factories. The results confirmed that integrating IOWN® APN with WiGig technology could effectively enable smart maintenance practices by facilitating access to external computational resources.

Results of the Testing

During the test, the NTT Group connected the Mitsubishi Chemical Okayama plant with buildings across Tokyo (approximately 700 kilometers) through the IOWN® APN framework. In a remarkable feat, they also established a WiGig wireless communication environment covering a 2-kilometer stretch within the plant in approximately six hours. This dual setup has showcased seamless data transmission rates of up to 900Mbps, even in outdoor conditions, confirming the viability of real-time data gathering from various sensors.

Additionally, they successfully conducted simultaneous data transmission using eight 4K cameras, achieving a cumulative data transfer rate of around 400Mbps across the established environments. The testing demonstrated low latency of under 0.1 seconds for end-to-end data transmission, validating that high-volume data transfer is feasible even in outdoor settings.

Forward-Thinking: Expanding Smart Maintenance Practices

The successful demonstration opens doors for further integrating robotic and AI capabilities into maintenance operations. With plans to expand the use of robots and advanced data analysis techniques, this initiative promises a comprehensive shift towards improved outdoor maintenance practices. The NTT Group and its partners aim to alleviate the burden on workers while significantly enhancing operational efficiency in factories.

Looking Ahead

As they prepare for a broader implementation, emphasis will be placed on refining the communication environment and increasing its capabilities, particularly in managing multiple robots and high-precision cameras simultaneously. Continued collaboration among the involved companies is anticipated as they aim to establish a network environment conducive to multi-operation across various sites, empowering future smart maintenance solutions.

The implications of this initiative extend far beyond the immediate benefits for maintenance personnel. By setting a precedent for efficient data transmission and smart processing, this project underscores the critical importance of advanced communication infrastructures in evolving industrial practices. Future developments are likely to resonate deeply within the community, as industries across Japan pivot towards sustainable and resilient operational models in response to ongoing labor shortages and operational challenges.