Vodafone’s 5G network was used remotely to control the robotic systems involved in mapping, recognition and location as part of this drill. It also meant that all people involved in the rescue could be kept connected and receive the same information in real-time, streaming high-definition video.
Vodafone Spain has been working with the with the Robotics and Mechatronics Group of the University of Malaga to test how 5G technology can help emergency teams from various civil and military agencies improve communication and coordination during disasters and rescues.
In a word, safety. Rescue teams regularly have to overcome dangerous situations, only encountering hazards and risks as they happen. With 5G powered drones for reconnaissance and robots for tackling unsafe situations, these teams can respond faster and more safely.
In conversation with the team behind the project
Montse Beamonte Ruiz,5G Pilot Director, Vodafone Spain
Why could 5G be so significant for emergency services?
These drones and robots handle A LOT of data. With the lower speeds of 3G and 4G, there is simply no way that the data could be processed, sent back to the emergency service team and then back to the robot effectively. These robots also need millisecond reaction times to ensure the safety of the victim. 5G with its lower latency and higher speeds enables this.
In conversation with the team behind the project
Montse Beamonte Ruiz,5G Pilot Director, Vodafone Spain
Why can’t we use 3G and 4G?
In conversation with the team behind the project
Montse Beamonte Ruiz,5G Pilot Director, Vodafone Spain
Will 5G drones and robots replace rescue teams?
They are more of a tool, rather than a replacement, but they are very capable – one vehicle can carry the weight of a person by itself, and will follow a rescue worker like a dog following its owner.