At India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, Ericsson demonstrated how 5G is not just about speed but about social impact as well. The company unveiled Annapurti, a 5G-enabled, fully automated Grain ATM developed in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Designed and manufactured in India under the guidance of the Department of Food and Public Distribution and funded by IRS, Annapurti exemplifies how advanced connectivity can strengthen public welfare and digital inclusion.
What is Ericsson Annapurti and How Does It Work?
Annapurti, the “Grain ATM,” is a breakthrough in precision food distribution. It dispenses 25 to 30 kilograms of multiple food grains in just 30 seconds using Aadhaar-based biometric authentication thus ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.
“So right now at the point of sale and fair price shops, owners use manual scales to weigh grains, leading to leakages or even theft,” explained the Ericsson representative during a live demonstration. “But with this machine, we are reducing the time taken and ensuring zero pilferage. The machine dispenses 25 kg per transaction within 35 to 40 seconds, and if a person’s allocation is 35 kg, the remaining 10 kg will be dispensed automatically without re-entering details.”
The Annapurti machine integrates with state POS systems and maintains real-time data synchronization through 5G. The standard unit has a 500 kg capacity, while the standalone version can store up to 2,700 kg, expandable to 5,000 kg.
Why is Annapurti 5G-Enabled?
The machine’s core intelligence runs on 5G, enabling instant, secure, and reliable data transmission. “If I give a command to the POS system, it gives a command to this machine through 5G,” the team explained. “This drastically reduces transaction time. If we used 3G or 4G, data transfer and grain dispensing would take longer. With 5G, the user experience is seamless.”
What’s Next for Annapurti?
Currently deployed across seven states and 29 locations, including Shillong, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, and Bhopal, Annapurti is helping the government strengthen its One Nation, One Ration Card initiative. Over the next year, 23 new, highly automated Annapurti machines will be deployed across India, scaling access to 24×7, contactless, and transparent food distribution, added the team.
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While the initial rollout has begun, Ericsson and its partners plan large-scale deployment in collaboration with state authorities and public distribution systems. The innovation not only tackles logistical challenges but also strengthens food security and accountability, which is one of the core pillars of Digital India.
Other 5G-Driven Innovations Showcased by Ericsson at IMC 2025
While Annapurti took center stage as a social innovation, Ericsson also showcased several cutting-edge demonstrations highlighting the breadth of 5G’s transformative potential.
StethoECG: Revolutionizing Remote Healthcare
Developed in collaboration with IIT Madras, StethoECG is a handheld, wireless digital stethoscope embedded with an ECG system. With a 5G SIM-enabled connection, it allows real-time heart monitoring and diagnostics in remote areas, eliminating the need for bulky hospital equipment and enabling telemedicine at scale.
Automated Railcar Inspection Using Robotics and AI
Ericsson demonstrated a robotic dog equipped with high-definition cameras and sensors that autonomously inspects railcars. Powered by private 5G, the robot streams real-time data for AI-driven defect detection. The innovation aims at enhancing railway safety and operational efficiency.
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA): Bridging the Digital Divide
Ericsson’s Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technology is closing India’s broadband gap, with over 8.4 million 5G FWA subscribers, and 40% of them in rural regions. FWA offers fiber-like speeds without physical cables, empowering schools, healthcare centers, and small businesses with affordable, high-speed internet access.
Train Ride to the Future: 5G and Immersive Connectivity
The Train Ride to the Future demo offered visitors an AR-powered experience of seamless connectivity for entertainment, productivity, and communication, which is how 5G will redefine commuting in the years ahead.
Nitin Bansal, Managing Director of Ericsson India, stated, “Based on our technology leadership, domestic manufacturing, and expanded R&D footprint, we are enabling next-generation networks that are foundational to the country’s ‘Digital India’ initiative.”
Speaking at the event, Andres Vicente, CEO of Market Area Southeast Asia, Oceania, and India, Ericsson, said, “India is on a remarkable growth trajectory, entering a new phase of innovation where AI, Cloud and connectivity will transform everyday experiences of consumers and drive digital transformation of enterprises. The Indian innovation ecosystem, with its pool of software developers and startups, can fully leverage the potential of the 5G platform and innovate not only for India but for the world.”
