Freshwave has partnered with the National Robotarium, a globally renowned robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) research center in Edinburgh, Scotland, to deploy a portable 5G private network that will enhance the facility’s digital capabilities and support its commercial projects.
The network’s capabilities will be tested within Spot®, a quadruped wireless robot developed by Boston Dynamics. Spot® is being utilized to address an agricultural technology (agritech) requirement for one of the National Robotarium’s clients. Equipped with the 5G private network, Spot® will conduct tasks such as live video streaming, 3D mapping, and infrared assessments in the field. The data gathered in real-time aims to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability.
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5G and Agritech Converge
Portable 5G private networks are revolutionizing the agritech sector by offering high-speed, reliable internet connectivity in rural areas where traditional broadband is often unavailable. These networks enable real-time data collection and analysis, facilitating precision-based agricultural tasks such as crop monitoring and equipment optimization. Their portability makes them especially useful for seasonal or mobile agricultural operations.
Steve Maclaren, COO at the National Robotarium, noted, “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.”
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Tom Bennett, CTO at Freshwave, added, “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.”
Freshwave’s portable 5G private network, powered by a generator and housed in a self-contained pop-up mast, possesses rapid deployment capabilities. Utilizing the n77 spectrum secured from Ofcom, the network was successfully set up within days.
This deployment marks the beginning of a partnership under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Robotarium and Freshwave. The agreement brings together the National Robotarium’s expertise in robotics and AI with Freshwave’s proven track record in delivering neutral host-led private networks. The collaboration will continue to test robotics on private 5G networks.