Infrastructure-as-a-service provider Freshwave has partnered with the National Robotarium to deploy a portable 5G private network at its robotics and AI innovation centre in Edinburgh, Scotland. The 5G network is being used to test robotics, aiming to enhance the centre's capabilities for commercial agricultural technology (agritech) applications.
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Harnessing 5G for Agricultural Insights
According to the company, the first robot to utilise the network is Spot, a quadruped robot by Boston Dynamics. Spot is being tested for tasks such as live video streaming, 3D mapping, and infrared assessments while operating in the field for a National Robotarium customer. "The real-time data Spot collects will be used to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability," the company said.
Portable 5G Networks
Portable 5G networks provide reliable, high-speed internet to rural/remote areas. "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 ideal for seasonal or shifting agricultural operations where fixed infrastructure is impractical," Freshwave explained.
The company also noted that the UK agritech industry is projected to reach GBP 15.6 billion by 2026.
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Future of Robots in Agriculture
Steve Maclaren, COO of 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 game-changer and the future of agritech," he added.
Freshwave's CTO highlighted the cutting-edge nature of the project, while the Head of Business Development at The Scotland 5G Centre lauded the potential of 5G to address challenges in rural farming and drive sustainability.
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Technology Involved
The portable network operates on Freshwave's n77 spectrum and can be deployed with a self-contained, generator-powered mast. The 5G private network, deployed under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), combines the Robotarium's expertise in robotics and AI with Freshwave's private network technology.
The MOU will see the two organisations collaborate in testing robotics on private 5G networks on an ongoing basis, the companies announced in a joint statement on Monday, January 20, 2025.
