5G in 5: Top Tech This Week – June 3, 2020

Here’s this week’s rundown of the top 5 stories of 5G news about emerging and innovative technologies. To follow the series, check back here every week and look out for #5Gin5 posts from @Facesof5G.

  1. The Future with 5G — Innovators at 5G labs are developing next generation technologies that could reshape industries and solve problems. FastCo Works recently looked at a handful of innovative projects at Verizon’s 5G Labs, including a miniature humanoid robot that could aid in disaster response. The robot’s “eyes” transmit video data to its operator, who can adjust its movements to navigate debris or deliver supplies to victims before first responders can safely access the area. Read more here.
  1. 5G Driving New Tech Opportunities — About two-thirds of the cars that are manufactured today are connected cars. That number will continue to grow, but IT Pro says that’s “just the start of things to come.” Up next is vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, and 5G will be a driver in that. James Mallinson, BMW’s Head of Development for Vehicle Connectivity and Mobile Communications, says, “Ultimately, when it comes to road safety, there are no competitors, only partners. By sharing traffic data and implementing V2X connectivity, we can directly improve the automotive experience for road users everywhere.” Read more here.
  1. AI Capabilities Tested by 5G— The U.S. Department of Defense is funding an AI system by Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR) that will enable companies to share 5G cellular spectrum. Using AI will help determine the optimal use of spectrum each millisecond and understand 5G’s role in testing AI capabilities. Read more here.
  1. New Era Brought by 5G —Tech author and engineer Trevor English posed the question: Will 5G bring about a new era? In short, his answer is yes. He says, “5G is a wireless network infrastructure exponentially better than anything we’ve ever seen before. Businesses will be able to have access to anything they need from a tech perspective without massive barriers to entry. 5G will allow AI and predictive learnings to thrive from anywhere, meaning predictive maintenance and truly useful IoT. … Of course, reality will likely be more grounded, but since 5G provides so much potential, who’s to say that the future won’t start getting a lot more exciting?” Read more here.
  1. Smart Classrooms Boosted by 5G — COVID-19 forced classrooms to move online and exposed gaps in virtual learning. 5G, paired with AR and VR, would transform lesson plans and create new learning experiences. “The experiences it can provide – such as virtually witnessing endangered species of plant life in Madagascar – can ultimately change the way students think, engage with the world and tackle problems,” says Ryan McLaughlin, a Senior Economist and Research Analyst at the Information and Communications Technology Council of Canada (ICTC). Read more here.