By becoming a 5G Innovation Region, West Midlands will transform productivity, create skilled jobs, improve health and wellbeing, and reduce emissions in two of the region’s most important sectors, advanced manufacturing and smart communities, which covers social care, social housing, and other related local services.
Total project funding amount: £4,856,236
Project date(s): -
Category: Government Funded
Location(s): West Midlands Combined Authority
Status: Open
This project has been extended by 12 months and awarded £1,056,236 of additional funding.
Advanced Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector is critical to the UK economy– particularly in regions like the West Midlands. Analyst reports highlight a c.£15 billion opportunity to boost economic output by accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0 solutions including 5G, sensors and data and AI to boost productivity.
Over the last 18 months, West Midlands 5G (WM5G) has partnered with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), DSIT and leading suppliers to design and deploy a private 5G, sensor and data solution in JLR’s Solihull plant. This solution enhances operational efficiency, drives automation, and supports digital transformation by replacing legacy wired systems, improving communication across machines, tools, and teams. This real-world solution is helping build the evidence base to support wider adoption in the manufacturing sector
The next phase of the project focuses on collecting and analysing data to measure outputs, benchmark performance, and develop a robust business case for the wider adoption. This includes:
- Measuring production efficiency and cost reduction
- Benchmarking against traditional systems
- Developing a business case for scaling
- Strengthening collaboration to refine successful models
This evidence-driven approach will support the government’s digital transformation goals and pave the way for broader Industry 4.0 adoption in UK manufacturing.
Smart Communities: Adult Social Care is one of the biggest areas of Local Authority expenditure but faces significant challenges due to rising demand, funding pressures, and staffing shortages.
WM5G has partnered with Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton City Councils, DSIT and leading suppliers to be one of the first regions to scale Technology-enabled Social Care (TEC). These services support citizens to:
- live independently at home
- assist social workers and carers
- reduce pressures on the NHS by addressing issues like bed-blocking and hospital admissions.
Unlike traditional telecare – such as alarm pendants – which are used reactively in the event of an emergency, the West Midlands TEC solution offers bespoke solutions using up to 50 different devices to proactively support citizens’ needs to be supported to live for longer at home.
Over 350 citizens are already benefiting we expect to add hundreds more in the coming months. TEC is demonstrating measurable benefits, including:
- reducing hospital admissions
- optimised carer visits
- a shift from reactive to proactive care.
The next phase of the project focuses on scaling adoption, ensuring the wider social care sector can benefit from the learnings and best practices established. This includes developing a comprehensive business case and procurement framework and further strengthening collaboration with NHS Integrated Care Boards and care providers.