Tokyo, November 16, 2018 – Rakuten Mobile Network, Inc. announced today the successful completion of a large-scale trial of technologies that demonstrate the capacity for 5G (5th generation mobile communications systems) to transform industries and the customer experience. The trial, conducted on November 15, 2018, included remote unmanned delivery robot operation, drone-based identity verification and 8K VR video streaming through the utilization of a 5G network, to realize a “smart stadium” experience.
The “smart stadium” concept utilizes advanced technologies to create new viewing experiences for sports. Stadiums utilizing technology to improve the experience for fans can be found worldwide, with examples including the use of apps to order food and drink in the stadium or in paperless ticketing systems, and the use of VR video streaming to offer fans outside the stadium a more immersive viewing experience. Rakuten Mobile Network believes that 5G, in combination with Rakuten’s diverse range of services and technologies, can play a role in creating a more enjoyable and convenient sports viewing experience.
The over-the-air (OTA) 5G trial was carried out at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, in collaboration with Nokia and Intel Corporation, making use of Nokia’s AirScale base station and the Intel® 5G Mobile Trial Platform. Nokia leveraged its services expertise to optimize deployment of the base stations.
Overview of the trial
1. Delivery through remote operation of an unmanned delivery robot and video-based identity verification
2. Identity verification at the stadium using a drone
3. Live streaming of 8K 360-degree VR video of the stadium
Delivery through remote operation of an unmanned delivery robot and video-based identity verification
The trial leveraged the high transmission capacity and low latency of 5G to remotely operate and monitor in real-time through 4K video a delivery made by an unmanned robot equipped with a 5G device. The robot was developed by collaboration between the Rakuten Institute of Technology and Utsunomiya University.
The use of unmanned delivery robots in a 5G trial was a first for the Japan market, highlighting the potential of unmanned delivery robots for not only delivering items to customers within sports stadiums but as a significant solution in last-mile logistics applications.