University of Glasgow 5G

The University of Glasgow is bidding to become home to the UK’s second 5G technology demonstrator.

21:15 02 October 2017

The technology is expected to support the development of many futuristic applications in different industries. With its ultra-fast mobile connectivity, it can be used to support complex applications, including but not limited to remote surgery, robotics and 3D virtual reality on phones.

Muhammad Imran, professor of communications systems in the university’s School of Engineering, said: “These applications require ultra-low latency to work to reduce as far as possible the time it takes for a packet of data to travel between devices.

 

“But they will also raise our aspirations about the technology’s  possibilities,  such as in the ‘Internet of Skills’. For example, a surgeon operating remotely would receive haptic tactile feedback – the sensation of vibration, pressure, touch and texture – in real-time.”

 

Meanwhile, Professor Chris Pearce, lead for the university’s overarching Smart Campus project said: “Glasgow University is keen to contribute to this development through a programme of partnership research, based around the development of the smart campus. The aim is to create a living lab to test these requirements, and the potential of these new applications.”

 

Michael Burns, business development manager at the university’s research, strategy and innovation office, said: “The demonstrator has the advantage of being part of the largest capital investment in western Scotland. We think of this project as a strong example of the university sector driving change through collaboration with city and national partners.”