Airtel teams up with Ericsson and Volvo Group to explore XR, AI on 5G

Telecom major Bharti Airtel (Airtel) on Monday announced a research partnership with Sweden’s Ericsson and Volvo Group to explore the potential of Extended Reality (XR), Digital Twin technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in the manufacturing sector.

The companies will be leveraging the power of 5G and 5G Advanced, through this collaboration with an aim to transform industrial operations, enhance workforce training, and drive real-time process optimisation, Airtel said in a statement.

Sharat Sinha, Director and CEO – Airtel Business said that the collaboration will redefine manufacturing by enabling real-time XR applications, boosting efficiency, and unlocking new business opportunities.”

The research engagement, to be conducted at the Volvo Group Factory and Volvo Group’s R&D Centre in Bengaluru, will explore futuristic Industrial Metaverse applications, including human and machine interaction and collaboration - use cases that will blend the physical and digital worlds, it said.

A critical element of this initiative is Airtel’s 5G Advanced network, which will serve as the backbone for industrial XR applications. With ultra-low latency and high-speed capabilities, 5G technology enables real-time simulations, design prototyping, and immersive training across multiple industrial sites. This setup will allow manufacturers to test “what if” scenarios and optimise production workflows without disrupting operations.

Beyond operational efficiencies, the collaboration aims to support Industry 4.0 and 5.0 evolution while unlocking new revenue streams for telecom providers. The research findings will bolster network readiness for Industrial XR, laying the groundwork for immersive communication solutions in smart factories.

Kamal Bali, President & MD, Volvo Group India, said that the industry is undergoing a transformation driven by automation, connectivity, and alternative energy carriers—tools essential to achieving Net Zero and shaping a sustainable future. “5G, combined with Extended Reality, will enhance innovation and collaboration across our industrial and R&D sites in real-time,” he said.

Nitin Bansal, Managing Director, Ericsson India, added that as India embraces Industry 4.0, 5G will be a game-changer in enabling intelligent, connected, and immersive industrial experiences. This collaboration underscores Ericsson’s commitment to driving innovation through 5G and XR, shaping the future of manufacturing both in India and globally.

The role of technology is becoming a critical enabler of transformation across industries. According to data collated by the technology sector database SalesEdge, a research unit of TechCircle, in 2024, manufacturing emerged as the highest spender on IT, allocating over ₹11 lakh crore to adopt automation, AI, and advanced production systems. This reflects the sector's efforts to modernise its processes and increase global competitiveness. Banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), IT and telecom followed closely with more than ₹10.5 lakh crore, ₹8.5 lakh crore and ₹3.6 lakh crore with a focus on IT, automation, cybersecurity, AI-led technologies, 5G networks and enhanced customer data platforms.