Samsung, IBM partner to combine “edge computing” with private 5G networks

Samsung Electronics on Wednesday signed a partnership with IBM to combine “edge computing” with private 5G networks, the latest tie-up among big technology firms trying to help customers automate production.

“Edge computing” uses augmented reality and machine learning to analyse bulk data where it was gathered – whether factory floor, oil rig or office space – before moving it to remote servers in the “cloud”. To work, it needs fast data transfers of the kind that 5G signals provide.