By Samsung and Hyundai have taken a significant step toward transforming industrial automation by completing a full-scale trial of Reduced Capability (RedCap) 5G technology. This milestone was achieved within Hyundai’s private 5G infrastructure at its Ulsan facility, the world’s largest automobile manufacturing plant.
Located in South Korea, the Ulsan site produces thousands of vehicles daily and has become the proving ground for cutting-edge smart factory initiatives. Building on Samsung’s initial deployment of a dedicated 5G network in late 2024, the two companies are now demonstrating how RedCap can enhance connectivity and efficiency in large-scale manufacturing environments.
The private 5G network forms the digital backbone of the plant, connecting a wide range of industrial systems and devices. This includes Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), which transport components across the facility, and wireless inspection tools that ensure quality control throughout the production process.
RedCap technology is designed to support smaller, low-power devices by offering a streamlined version of 5G connectivity. Its lower complexity and enhanced energy efficiency make it ideal for industrial sensors, wearable tools, and compact devices — crucial elements in a modern, data-driven factory setting.
The recent trial, conducted at Samsung’s research center, validated RedCap’s capabilities across the entire network ecosystem. This included integration with Hyundai’s diagnostic scanning equipment, enabling real-time wireless inspections during vehicle assembly. Thanks to 5G’s low latency and high reliability, the new system has outperformed previous Wi-Fi-based setups, improving inspection accuracy and operational speed.
Samsung’s network architecture played a pivotal role, combining a virtualized 5G core with specialized 4.7 GHz radios and an advanced network management platform. Additionally, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X35 modem was incorporated into the scan systems, providing a reliable connection to the 5G core.
Looking ahead, Hyundai plans to extend this RedCap-enabled network to its upcoming electric vehicle production sites, scheduled to begin operations in 2026. The expansion will allow even greater deployment of smart devices — from sensors and tablets to AGVs — creating a fully interconnected manufacturing environment.
Industry analysts view RedCap as a key enabler for the broader adoption of private 5G networks. By reducing power consumption and hardware costs, RedCap technology allows manufacturers to scale up their digital operations without compromising efficiency or performance.
This successful collaboration marks a turning point for industrial connectivity. Samsung and Hyundai are not just testing new technologies—they’re setting the standard for what the future of smart manufacturing could look like. With RedCap and private 5G, the path toward intelligent, automated factories is becoming a reality.