MTS PJSC (NYSE: MBT, MOEX: MTSS), the largest Russian telecommunication operator and provider of digital services, and KAMAZ PTC, the largest producer of heavy trucks in Russia, have signed a cooperation agreement to develop mobile communication networks to support KAMAZ-engineered self-driving vehicles, and also develop and implement industrial IoT tech solutions for the automation of manufacturing processes at KAMAZ’s plants.
The agreement signed at the official opening of the joint MTS/Ericsson R&D Center in the Innopolis Technopark, Kazan, provides for cooperation of MTS and KAMAZ in several areas, including:
- Usage of MTS's telematics solutions in KAMAZ’s vehicle navigation systems;
- Rolling out of 5G mobile communication networks to provide support for KAMAZ’s autonomous vehicles through the launch of pilot zones in collaboration with the KAMAZ Research and Technology Center;
- Joint development and implementation of industrial IoT tech solutions for KAMAZ, and also innovative tech solutions in the automation of manufacturing processes at KAMAZ’s plants.
Ericsson will also act as a telecommunications equipment supplier in the creation of the MTS communication networks for these KAMAZ uncrewed vehicles.
"Tatarstan is one of the key regions for MTS where we use up-to-date technologies for the first time. Therefore it is no accident that we signed an agreement on innovative cooperation with KAMAZ, one of the largest enterprises of the Russian auto industry, actively developing technologies of the future," noted Andrey Ushatsky, MTS Vice President, Chief Technology and IT Officer. "KAMAZ is a recognized leading developer of solutions for driverless vehicles in Russia. In its turn, MTS, Russia's largest telecom operator and IT company, is working on the launch of the first 5G solutions and is ready to offer the partners its developments in order to jointly build ecosystems of 5G and IoT networks for commercial usage in transportation and industries."
"Taking into account KAMAZ's leading part in the development of unmanned vehicles in the country, it is obvious that it cooperates with companies successful in their segment and offering technologies and solutions which help KAMAZ realize its ambitious plans," commented on the signing Firdaus Kabirov, Deputy Director of KAMAZ for Development, Innovative Products. "MTS is just one of such leading companies and can share its own world-class promising developments with KAMAZ."