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5G technology ‘can contribute to the integration of drones in airspace’, says Genius

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If drone technology is to really take off, it requires that drones are integrated into the airspace and can fly alongside manned aviation. In the research project GENIUS, researchers from SDU (University of Southern Denmark), along with DTU (Denmark Technical University), companies and organisations have shown how 5G technology could be part of the solution.

There are high expectations for the future uses of drones. From flying taxis and healthcare drones to infrastructure monitoring, rescue operations, and the transportation of spare parts to offshore wind farms.

There’s just one problem. [Read more…] about 5G technology ‘can contribute to the integration of drones in airspace’, says Genius

How Smartphones Are Transforming Robotics and Automation

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The image of a clunky industrial robot lumbering through a factory floor is rapidly becoming a relic of the past. Today, a new breed strides onto the scene, empowered by the smartphone device we hold in our palms.

Smartphones are not the only products of wireless technology but are certainly the most ubiquitous. The constant demand for better, faster, and more feature-rich devices has turned them into compact powerhouses. They have transformed the way people communicate, interact, and shop.

However, they have gone far beyond being consumer products. They are revolutionizing robotics and automation, driving a transformation that ripples across industries and redefines our relationship with machines. [Read more…] about How Smartphones Are Transforming Robotics and Automation

Hitachi begins testing of 5G powered industrial IoT solutions

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Hitachi has begun testing of 5G powered industrial IoT solutions at its Silicon Valley research center in California, USA to accelerate the development of platform technologies and scalable solutions for digital transformation.

A dedicated 5G network has been installed at its Silicon Valley Research Center, in partnership with Ericsson. The network will leverage 5G and Hitachi’s platform technology to accelerate the development and demonstrate the value of digital transformation across multiple industries.

Fifth generation wireless network technology, commonly referred to as “5G technology,” is expected to change the way society operates by providing ubiquitous connectivity with ultra-reliable low-latency communication. 5G has the power to accelerate the digital transformation of not just the telecom sector, but businesses in general. Sectors that will benefit from the increased resiliency and efficiency that 5G technology affords include manufacturing, mobility, healthcare, energy, and IT, though the platform is also expected to support new business models. [Read more…] about Hitachi begins testing of 5G powered industrial IoT solutions

Nokia’s 5G factory recognised as ‘Advanced 4th Industrial Revolution Lighthouse’

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Nokia‘s 5G ‘factory of the future’ in Oulu, Finland has been selected by McKinsey and the World Economic Forum as an Advanced 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) Lighthouse, reflecting leadership and proven success in adopting and implementing 4IR technologies at scale.

Designed to showcase Industry 4.0 concepts for the manufacturing of Nokia 4G and 5G base stations, the Oulu factory uses Nokia’s private (4.9G/LTE) wireless networks for connectivity for all assets within and outside the factory, IoT analytics running on Edge cloud, and a real-time digital twin of operations data.

The factory, which produces 1,000 4G and 5G base stations per day, generated significant annual improvements, including more than 30 percent productivity gains, 50 percent savings in time of product delivery to market, and an annual cost savings of millions of euros.

[Read more…] about Nokia’s 5G factory recognised as ‘Advanced 4th Industrial Revolution Lighthouse’

How is 5G different from 4G?

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The next step in wireless connectivity is not really a step at all—it’s a leap. 5G Ultra Wideband will fundamentally change the ways we live, work, learn and play, and on a grand scale.

But a 5G-powered world won’t materialize out of thin air. It will be built off of existing networks and existing knowhow.

At Verizon, that process begins with America’s largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.

[Read more…] about How is 5G different from 4G?

Sony and Docomo to test driverless concept vehicle via 5G trial network in Guam

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Sony Corporation and NTT Docomo, Inc. will jointly trial Sony’s conceptual driverless vehicle, the New Concept Cart SC-1, which uses 5G mobile technologies for various remotely controlled functions.

The test will be conducted using the trial network in Docomo 5G Open Lab Guam, which will provide test facilities and an outdoor verification environment constructed by Docomo.

The test will verify data transmission and operational performance required to remotely control the cart from a long distance via the extra-high speed, large capacity, low latency and massive-device connectivity.

[Read more…] about Sony and Docomo to test driverless concept vehicle via 5G trial network in Guam

Ericsson and ABB expand partnership to accelerate wireless automation for flexible factories

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Telecommunications technology company Ericsson and industrial giant ABB have strengthened their collaboration to accelerate the industrial ecosystem for flexible wireless automation.

The partnership will enable enhanced connected services, industrial internet of things, and artificial intelligence technologies in the future.

The partners established their joint vision for future flexible production with automation and wireless communication by signing a Memorandum of Understanding at Hannover Messe 2019.  [Read more…] about Ericsson and ABB expand partnership to accelerate wireless automation for flexible factories

Nissan and Docomo test Invisible-to Visible technology using 5G in a moving vehicle

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Nissan and NTT Docomo are putting Nissan’s Invisible-to-Visible technology through its field test in a moving vehicle, using Docomo’s fifth-generation mobile communications connectivity.

The technology, first revealed at the CES trade show in Las Vegas in January, is being tested at Grandrive, Nissan’s proving ground in Yokosuka, Japan.

Invisible-to-Visible, or I2V, is a future Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology that merges the real and virtual worlds.

[Read more…] about Nissan and Docomo test Invisible-to Visible technology using 5G in a moving vehicle

5G: The de facto connectivity choice for outdoor robots of the future

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Low latency and cloud intelligence are the two main features of 5G that will significantly change the deployment of mission-critical and business-critical robots, particularly those deployed outdoors. These robots can include mobile vehicles and road-going vehicles such as cars and trucks. 

According to ABI Research, an advisory firm, the commercialization of a 5G network is expected to usher in the significant growth of commercial robotics.

Shipments of 5G robots are expected to reach 570,000 by 2027, largely deployed in mission critical and business critical settings.  [Read more…] about 5G: The de facto connectivity choice for outdoor robots of the future

Continental and Vodafone cooperate on road safety

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At the 2019 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Continental and Vodafone showcased the first results of their innovation partnership.

Last summer, the partners announced that they would be working together to increase road safety. The first results confirm this – state-of-the-art communications technologies such as 5G, cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) and mobile edge computing help to better protect all road users.

The 5G-ready tests are taking place under real-life conditions at Vodafone’s 5G Mobility Lab in Aldenhoven, Germany. A start of series production based on these technologies is planned for the beginning of the 2020s.

[Read more…] about Continental and Vodafone cooperate on road safety