Milton Keynes Standalone 5G Network Testing Begins

The first standalone 5G network in the UK will be used to power robots, driverless cars and other gadgets.

05:42 28 May 2021

The UK's first standalone 5G network will be used to test futuristic technology like robots and driverless cars in Milton Keynes. The network's ability to power medical and energy-saving devices will also be tested. 

 

MK:5G, which is funded by the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), is participated by five businesses, namely Fotech, The Academy of Robotics, Imperium Drive, Briteyellow and Warnerpatch, which are tasked with developing the smart traffic systems, self-driving delivery booth, driverless vehicles, interactive wireless communications and devices that measure a person's tissue health. 

 

SEMLEP chief executive Hilary Chipping said: “This SEMLEP investment has put Milton Keynes in an incredible position, enabling businesses in the city to advance and deploy real solutions to issues and challenges that affect us all. Thanks to MK:5G’s success and innovation, the project has attracted a lot of positive attention and secured additional investment from the government.”

 

Koosha Kaveh, Co-Founder & CEO of Imperium Drive, said: "Autonomous mobility is set to be worth $500 billion across the globe by the year 2025 and it is the development of remote driving technology that will be the essential ingredient to unlock this huge opportunity. 

 

"That is where we come in and, thanks to the MK:5G project, we are looking forward to trialling our technology with various automated vehicles across Milton Keynes later this year."