GM Deploys IIoT Network Solution From Cisco

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Cisco and General Motors are working together to “modernize” vehicle testing with the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).  

GM is using Cisco’s Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul network architecture for real-time, pre-production performance testing at the GM Milford Proving Ground, according to Cisco last month.

The wireless backhaul by Cisco provides vehicle-to-trackside connectivity and allows multiple GM test engineers to monitor several hundred data channels simultaneously during a test run.

The network is intended to help GM observe vehicle operation parameters and modify a test as it is being conducted to optimize results, reducing test time and accelerating the time to market for vehicles.

GM is the first auto manufacturer to deploy Cisco’s wireless backhaul technology.

Previously, due to the high speed of vehicles, engineers did not have real-time access to development data during vehicle performance testing, according to Cisco. Data was recorded locally and analyzed off site, and engineers re-ran tests.

Cisco’s Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul, which is part of its IIoT networking portfolio, is designed to combine the reliability and speed of fiber connectivity with the flexibility of wireless communications. 

The network delivers up to 500 Mbps with ultra-low latency, high-bandwidth wireless, with handoffs as well as private mobile connectivity for mission-critical applications.

GM needed “a mature solution to gain real-time visibility into vehicle test data, and they tested many technologies which all fell short,” said Michael Shannon, VP of engineering, Cisco IoT. 

With Cisco’s wireless backhaul, GM was “able to achieve the visibility needed to shorten engineering cycles — ultimately helping to greatly improve time to market for technical innovations,” Shannon said.

“As GM accelerates the shift to electric vehicles, every minute counts,” said Anthony Bolton, CIO and CTO, global telecommunication and end use services, infrastructure and development, GM. 

“Using the network and its data to accelerate our performance testing is the type of innovation that delivers real business value as we transition from automaker to platform innovator.”