5G start-ups: Working in a virtual 3D world
Thanks to 5G and edge computing, technologies such as Augmented Reality are becoming a part of our everyday lives. Part 5 of our practice series about forward-looking solutions from tech start-ups.
In the power plant the turbine blade has cracks, in the paper mill the glue press has stopped working, in the chemicals plant the fire alarm system has to be checked: Experts regularly have to inspect defective parts, material conditions or machine failures during so-called diagnostic appointments. However, each deployment costs time and money; in addition, the lack of skilled workers means there are fewer trained specialists. How can new technologies solve these kinds of problems?
5G ENABLES A NEW 3D EXPERIENCE
The Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, Augmented Reality (AR) and edge computing are changing the way people work together – whether in the office, the factory or during training. In a power plant, for example, experts no longer have to look at the problem on site. They can already judge from their desk whether the turbine blade can still be repaired or whether it needs to be replaced – with a 3D scan of the machine part. The fact that the condition of the objects can be assessed on the computer means that the experts can process several such jobs a day. This makes maintenance trips superfluous.
The Dutch start-up Dimenco is currently revolutionizing the tech market with its development of the world's first functional, immersive 3D screen. The highlight: The company offers a VR experience that requires no additional hardware such as VR glasses. This is made possible by 5G. With a latency of less than a millisecond and transmission speeds of 10 Mbit/s, the new mobile communications standard provides the required high-performance connectivity. This kind of fast and stable network is necessary for the interference-free operation of IoT or immersive applications such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) or Simulated Reality (SR).
LOWER LATENCY THANKS TO EDGE COMPUTING
To immerse themselves in virtual worlds, users need wearables from data glasses to gloves. The problem: wearing VR glasses for a long time can cause so-called VR sickness. If the eyes and inner ear send contradictory signals (movement vs. stationary), the body often reacts with nausea, cold sweats and blurred vision. Dimenco's Augmented Reality experience is different: the technology is based on iris scans and high-speed cameras and allows users to interact with the content on the screen without the need for wearables. "Latency is essential for a 3D experience without jitters and delays," says Dimenco CEO Maarten Tobias. "With 5G and edge computing, we ensure that all the motion information is fed directly into the 3D environment." This is why Dimenco processes the large amounts of data in the nearby Edge Cloud, rather than in remote data centers – thanks to the latency of the 5G network.
Edge Computing
It’s a question of time: If a smartphone or an IoT device sends a request into the cloud, it often takes far too long for an answer to come back from a remote data center. This is especially true for applications where real-time reactions are relevant – such as autonomous driving or Augmented Reality applications. Edge computing provides a remedy here: so-called edge cloudlets are located at many points in the network and are therefore often closer to the user than the cloud’s data center. This is why they can respond much faster than the actual cloud. This shortens latencies considerably and reduces the demands on the computing power of the hardware on site. The latter can thus be significantly smaller. Edge computing is therefore considered a key technology for the Internet of Things. Because it not only ensures a faster exchange of information, but also relieves the network. And this is also sorely needed: According to a recent study, the worldwide stored data volume is expected to increase to 175 Zettabytes by 2025.
The Innovation Management of T-Systems has been supporting the start-up since 2018, initially as part of Telekom's tech incubator hub:raum (see box) and also after the conclusion of last year's 5G Ecosystem Summit in June 2019, at which the founders presented a first prototype (read more in this blog post). Since the end of 2019, customers have been able to purchase the Simulated Reality Development Kit – for laptop or monitor. T-Systems and Dimenco will be holding workshops to introduce customers to the technology, for example, on virtual 3D diagnostics of defective machines, collaboration applications and support for tumor conferences. T-System then supports customers in digitalizing their processes and developing and adapting the necessary applications.
hub:raum
hub:raum is Deutsche Telekom's tech incubator for the digital start-up scene. It provides support ranging from seed financing and office space to network events and links to the individual business areas of the Bonn-based provider. In addition, Telekom experts and business mentors support technology companies and fast-growing start-ups in setting up business models for their innovative solutions and further developing prototypes with a view to customer benefits for various industries. The start-up program is now represented in Berlin, Krakow and Tel Aviv.
Deutsche Telekom regularly identifies key digital topics and establishes special prototyping programs. In 2017, NarrowBand IoT was the focus of development and rollout in Europe. Last year, the start-ups in the hub:raum prototyping program worked with LTE-M.
And what does the future hold? Going forward, Dimenco and T-Systems want to create immersive experiences for smartphones and tablets with the help of 5G.
Pamela Buchwald
IoT Marketing Communication Manager
Pamela Buchwald has been part of the Telekom cosmos since 2016 and is very familiar with the Internet of Things. From general IoT trends to industry know-how and connected mobility, the blog highlights exciting topics related to connected things.
Pamela Buchwald
IoT Marketing Communication Manager
Pamela Buchwald has been part of the Telekom cosmos since 2016 and is very familiar with the Internet of Things. From general IoT trends to industry know-how and connected mobility, the blog highlights exciting topics related to connected things.
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