The 5G private network is being used to test robots with the aim of building the innovation centre’s digital capabilities for undertaking commercial projects.
Spot, a quadruped wireless robot by Boston Dynamics, is the first robot to be used on the portable 5G private network and is being tested to meet an agricultural technology (agritech) need for a National Robotarium customer and will be streaming live video content, doing 3D mapping, and infrared assessments when out in the field.
The real-time data Spot collects will be used to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Portable 5G private networks are increasingly be used to unlock significant benefits in the agritech sector. They provide high-speed, reliable internet access in remote or rural areas where traditional broadband is often limited, enabling better connectivity for devices and systems on the farm.
In addition, the low latency offered by 5G allows real-time data collection and analysis, supporting immediate decision-making for precision agricultural tasks, such as crop monitoring and equipment adjustments. And they can be easily deployed and moved as needed, making them suitable for seasonal or shifting agricultural operations where fixed infrastructure is impractical. The UK agritech industry is predicted to hit £15.6 billion by 2026.
Commenting Steve Maclaren, COO at the National Robotarium, said: “Robots have the potential to transform the agricultural sector, similar to the way equipment such as tractors did so many years ago, but they need the right networks to power this data-driven approach.
“This portable 5G private network is going to allow us to unlock exciting new applications for our customers. One day we’ll see multiple robots in the field working together on different tasks, from weed removal to nutrient-analysis to pesticide application, creating a co-bot (human and robots working together) workforce to achieve results that simply aren’t possible without harnessing technology. It’s truly a gamechanger and the future of agritech.”
“We’re pleased to bring our 5G private network expertise to this project with the National Robotarium. The work the team is doing there is unbelievably cutting-edge and we’re excited to be involved in it,” added Tom Bennett, CTO at Freshwave.
Freshwave’s 5G private network can be quickly deployed and the pop-up mast is self-contained and powered by a generator, so it’s completely portable. It uses n77 spectrum Freshwave secured from Ofcom.
The 5G private network has been deployed under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the National Robotarium and Freshwave and it combines the National Robotarium’s expertise in robotics and artificial intelligence with Freshwave’s success in delivering neutral host-led private networks.
The MOU will see the two organisations collaborate in testing robotics on private 5G networks on an ongoing basis.
