Docomo, Toyota Remotely Control Robot Over 5G

Japan’s NTT Docomo has completed a trial with Toyota Motor Corporation involving the use of 5G to control the Toyota-developed T-HR3 humanoid robot.

Toyota’s T-HR3 has been designed as a partner robot that can safely support human activities in a range of circumstances such as healthcare and home management applications. The robot’s entire body can be operated remotely, mimicing the movements of its controller.

Due to the ultra low latency requirements, experiments with the T-HR3 have been restricted to using a wired connection. But the demonstration was aimed at improving the use of the robot in practical environments through wireless control over 5G.

In a test environment, the T-HR3 was controlled remotely over a distance of around 10km using 5G in an area between two points.

Docomo and Toyota plan to demonstrate the technology between Tokyo Big Sight and Tokyo Skytree as part of the Docomo Open House 2018, which will be held over two days starting on Thursday.

The two companies also plan to continue to conducting trials with the goal of commercialization of 5G services in 2020. – Telecom Asia