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Researchers at the University of Auckland have collaborated with a telecommunication company to investigate the transformative capabilities of 5G technology in industrial robotics. These robots are crucial in various industries, such as electronics, food, and medical manufacturing, offering precise and accurate automation.
Led by Dr Yuqian Lu from the Faculty of Engineering, a research team conducted a trial to determine if these robots could be controlled through cloud-based systems using a 5G network. The initial findings are highly encouraging and suggest that this approach has the potential to redefine the limits of what can be achieved in industrial robotics.
“In the future, we envision scenarios where a surgeon in Auckland could remotely perform surgeries on patients in Invercargill using teleoperated surgical robots, or a network of manufacturing robots, spread across different cities in New Zealand could be managed and operated in real-time through remote control,” Lu explained.
During the initial phase of testing, conducted over six months at the Faculty of Engineering’s Laboratory for Industry 4.0 Smart Manufacturing Systems, researchers explored the potential of controlling a cloud-based robot through a 5G network. The trial involved utilising a robot developed within the laboratory and a platform hosted in the cloud to evaluate the practicality and effectiveness of remote control via the advanced 5G infrastructure.
The research team conducted tests to evaluate the latency (the amount of time it takes for data to travel) and jitter (variation in data transmission latency) of different public and private 5G network configurations. They measured these parameters by sending data packets between locations, including Auckland, Sydney, London, Singapore, and Oregon (USA).
According to Lu, upon completing the initial testing phase, they discovered that integrating artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms is essential for achieving optimal speed and reliable performance and addressing potential data transmission issues. The findings suggest that in the future, industrial robotics could be migrated to the cloud and effectively supported by 5G technology.
Renee, the telecommunication company’s Network and Operations Director explained that harnessing the power of 5G can potentially drive significant business transformation across various industries. Collaborating closely with the University of Auckland enables them to bring fascinating use cases and business applications to fruition, particularly in sectors like agriculture or ports, by leveraging machine learning, the Internet of Things, 5G, and other emerging technologies.
This collaboration demonstrates the significance of combining robotics, automation, industrial AI, and technology convergence to create innovative solutions that address real-world challenges and pave the way for a more interconnected future.
Renee highlighted the company’s initiatives in cutting-edge technologies such as Multi-Access Edge Compute (MEC), private networks, and 5G network slicing. These advancements enable businesses to deploy cloud computing capabilities directly on their premises, facilitating the execution of automation processes through dedicated networks. Shortening data transmission distances minimises latency, jitter, and congestion, ultimately delivering an improved customer experience.
“We are delighted to partner with the University of Auckland in harnessing the potential of 5G technology, showcasing its ability to deliver faster throughput, lower latency, and exceptional reliability, resulting in tangible business benefits,” expressed Renee.
By leveraging these advantages, they anticipate achieving tangible business benefits for various industries and sectors. Through this partnership, the telecommunication company and the University of Auckland will explore innovative use cases and business applications, such as leveraging machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other emerging technologies in agriculture and ports.
This collaboration underscored the importance of harnessing new capabilities in robotics, automation, industrial AI, and technology convergence to develop creative solutions for real-world challenges, paving the way for a more connected future.
