FIDAL
field trials beyond 5G
description
The arrival of 5G technology has revolutionized multiple sectors, enabling the convergence between the physical and virtual worlds towards the connected intelligence vision of 6G. Concepts such as immersive communication, cognition and digital twins involve the creation of dynamic virtual representations in the digital world, interconnected with sensors, actuators, displays and cameras.
The FIDAL-VLC project seeks to develop and execute an innovative use case beyond 5G (B5G) by extending the FIDAL infrastructure with a new node located on the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) campus to carry out large-scale testing. This node will offer a test environment with advanced B5G features, including a private 5G network, immersive capabilities and real-time digital twins, laying the foundation for 6G applications and the connection between the real and virtual worlds.
The UPV’s work on this project is part of the Open Call “5G Robot Race”, which seeks to implement a test bench beyond 5G for remote driving applications, demonstrating through a use case that presents an immersive race between two mobile robots with an AI-based obstacle avoidance system. These robots are driven remotely through the private 5G network in the UPV’s outdoor velodrome, while the control cabins are located in the Immersive Communications Laboratory, where a user interface based on a cyber-physical twin is shown.
CHALLENGE // OBJECTIVE
The project focuses on the following key challenges:
1. Data flow adaptation: Configure data flows based on the Quality of Service (QoS) offered by the network.
2. Network optimization: Configure the network to maximize the QoS available to the application.
3. Security: Ensure the safety of people within the test area.
4. Immersive experience: Create an intuitive experience for the user to operate robots accurately and in real time.
5. GNSS accuracy: Ensure an accurate GNSS signal to improve the mobile robot localization module and virtual representation in the digital twin.
IMPACT ON SOCIETY
The FIDAL-VLC project has a significant impact in several areas:
· Safe remote control: Digital twin functions improve remote control of robots, increasing safety in hazardous environments and reducing risks for workers.
· Social sustainability: It facilitates the convergence of the physical, human and digital worlds, promoting resilient and sustainable communities.
· Knowledge transfer: It fosters collaboration between industry (Fivecomm and Robotnik) and academia (UPV), generating improvements in productive environments thanks to the exchange of knowledge and experiences.
APPLICATIONS
The project use case is relevant to both the FIDAL project and the evolution of 5G towards 6G:
Connection with FIDAL use cases:
· Media: Robots transmit real-time video to immersive cockpits.
· Entertainment: Robots compete against each other in an environment that emulates a video game.
· Time-critical applications: They allow reliable remote operation thanks to the low latency of 5G+ networks.
Relevance with the evolution towards 6G:
· Human-centric immersive applications: Improve the user experience in real time.
· Digital twins: Facilitate the connection between the physical, digital and human worlds, aligning with the emerging vision of 5G-PPP for future applications.