West Midlands 5G has developed the tram as part of a regional transport trial in partnership with West Midlands Metro, Transport for West Midlands,��GoMedia��and Icomera.����

Trams collect a variety of valuable information, including CCTV footage and vehicle performance and maintenance data. Currently, this information is accessed and downloaded manually, outside the hours of operation.��

With the UK’s first 5G-connected tram, 5G’s increased bandwidth allows for high-definition CCTV footage captured on the tram to be securely and remotely transferred to the Regional Traffic Control Centre while in operation.��

This ability to transmit high levels of data almost instantaneously unlocks opportunities to strengthen passenger safety and has now been proven, according to WM5G and its partners.��

The on-board connectivity would also allow passengers to enjoy live travel updates and the ability to stream on-board entertainment, a feature that has become the gold-standard for public transportation.��

It will also enable operators to more flexibly manage services to meet passenger demand and navigate challenges related to COVID-19 such as social distancing and grow public confidence as life returns to normal post-pandemic.����

Being able to access real time information such as passenger numbers will help operators establish capacity, minimise crowding in stations and onboard services. It will also make journeys safer and better tailored to real-time passenger demand, meaning a more agile, cost effective service.��

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Transport is an integral cornerstone to any region and the West Midlands is breaking new ground in using 5G to develop transport that is fit for the future.����

“The development and improvement of our regional transport network also provides better connections to jobs and employment opportunities, helping local communities and businesses to grow and thrive.”��

Matt Warman, Digital Infrastructure Minister at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport added: “The birthplace of the industrial revolution is now at the forefront of the digital revolution with 5G being used to improve efficiency and passenger safety on the West Midlands Metro.��

“We have invested £200 million to explore how 5G can be the rocket fuel industries need to build back better and this is just one of a long��list��of projects to make the most of this ultrafast mobile technology.”��

If deployed across the network, 5G-connected trams could also utilise on-board sensors to help engineers remotely identify issues in carriages and across infrastructure, predicting and responding to faults before they occur.����

Chris Holmes, Programme Director of Transport at WM5G, said: “This project is a great demonstrator of how 5G can transform the way that public transport services are delivered. Our 5G-connected tram is a great showcase for what the future of connected transport could look like across both the West Midlands and beyond.”��

Sophie Allison, Head of �Ͼ�Ʒ�� Transformation at West Midlands Metro, commented: “It is our shared ambition to utilise new technologies to improve services for passengers across the region. This collaboration has enabled us to use the advances in 5G technology to monitor the tram network in real-time.����

“We now have the proven ability to transmit CCTV footage to our Operational Control Centre and the Regional Traffic Control Centre quickly, reliably and securely – helping to improve passenger safety. We are pleased to be pioneers on this project, which has helped to demonstrate the future potential that 5G can offer.”��

Seven further transport trials across the region are currently underway, with WM5G investing £2.4 million in seven UK-based consortiums to support the development of new products and services to transform transport.��

The projects are scheduled to run until the end of 2021, trialling and testing further innovative services to improve areas such as road and rail operational efficiency, provide better-connected transport, or improve passenger experiences.��

The post UK region pioneers nation’s first 5G-connected tram appeared first on �Ͼ�Ʒ��Cloud.

North, an IoT service and solutions provider, has been appointed to design, build and support the £4.9 million operation, which will take place close to Vantec at the Nissan test track in Sunderland, addressing the next innovation challenge of last mile logistics – the automation of a 40 tonne HGV.��

The project will see North partner with Nokia to access the latest 5G technology which will firmly establish the North East as a global leader in advanced logistics.����

Funding for the CAL pilot was secured by a consortium which comprises The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), Sunderland City Council, Newcastle University, Coventry University, Connected Places Catapult,��StreetDrone��and Perform Green.����

The partners secured £2.4 million from 5G Create, a £30 million open competition combining British creativity with innovative new uses for 5G, part of the UK government’s £200 million 5G testbeds and trials programme (5GTT).����

/6-quick-tips-on-making-your-first-hire-as-a-tech-start-up/

As the prime contractor, project manager and systems integrator, North will put the infrastructure in place required to test and demonstrate the operational 5G-enabled autonomous delivery.��

The pilot will enable the removal of the driver from the process and allow remote teleoperations to control the vehicles which can carry up to 40 tonnes of materials. This project will showcase how network providers and industry can come together to design and develop automated logistic solutions which address industry challenges with innovation.����

Artificial intelligence and advanced analytics will be used to review, stress test, and hone the application of the technology. Throughout the test period, which will be around 12-to-18-months, the consortium will ensure the system is fit for purpose, protected from threats such as security breaches and shall create a blueprint for similar projects.����

Glen Williams, CEO at��North, said: “This is a significant milestone for 5G standalone technology in the UK. We know that the potential of 5G is tremendous, however, to realise it, we need to see more innovative projects such as this being driven forward across different sectors and UK regions.����

“We were selected to fully design and deliver the next generation connectivity for this pilot because of our exceptional track record for delivering high performance innovative solutions, including our unique end-to-end approach which provides clients with a full service.����

“This is coupled with our specific experience of delivering 5G technology and our partnership with Nokia, a global leader in 5G.��

“We are looking forward to working with all of the stakeholders to take the technology out of the testbed and into a safe and controlled operational manufacturing environment for the first time.”��

/3d-print-firm-set-to-be-a-global-market-leader/

Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said: “Ensuring we put the power of 5G to good use in our economy is front and centre of our efforts to build back better. We are leading the charge of this tech revolution by investing £200 million in cutting-edge trials across the UK.����

“I’m looking forward to seeing how the project in Sunderland can use 5G to boost industrial productivity��through the use of��driverless vehicles.”��

Paul Butler, Chief Executive, for the North East Automobile Alliance (NEAA) added: “5G enabled automated logistics is the next key innovation drive for last mile logistics across the automotive sector.����

“This project has the potential to deliver significant efficiency gains and put the North East at the forefront of connected and automated logistics technology. I am delighted that North, and partner Nokia, were the successful, they bring with them vast knowledge and experience which will be a major benefit to the project.”��

The post Pioneering 5G pilot to build automated 40-tonne HGV appeared first on �Ͼ�Ʒ��Cloud.

The��low��earth��orbit satellite communications company is jointly owned by the UK��government and Bharti Global after each committed $500m to help it emerge from��bankruptcy last year.

OneWeb has now secured additional funding from SoftBank Group��and Hughes Network Systems LLC, which the London firm says positions it��to be fully funded for its first-generation satellite fleet,��totalling��648 satellites, by the end of 2022.��

���Ա�±��’s��mission is to offer��fast internet��access��to the entire world,��including��a��‘pathway to 5G’.����

In December 2020��it��launched 36 new satellites, built at its Airbus Joint Venture assembly plant in Florida,��taking its��total fleet to 110 satellites.��

“We are delighted to welcome the investment from SoftBank and Hughes,”��said��executive chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal.����

“Both are deeply familiar with our business, share our vision for the future, and their commitment allows us to capitalise on the significant growth opportunity ahead for��OneWeb.����

“We gain from their experience and capabilities, as we deliver a unique LEO network for the world.”��

Secretary of State, BEIS, The Rt. Hon. Kwasi Kwarteng, MP said: “Our investment in��OneWeb��is part of our continued commitment to the UK’s space sector, putting Britain at the forefront of the latest technological advances.����

“Today’s investment brings the company one step closer to delivering its mission to provide global broadband connectivity for people, businesses and governments, while potentially unlocking new research, development and manufacturing opportunities in the UK.”��

Masayoshi Son,��chairman��and��CEO of SoftBank, said:��“We are excited to support��OneWeb��as it increases capacity and accelerates towards commercialisation.����

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Bharti, the UK Government and Hughes to help��OneWeb��deliver on its mission to transform internet access around the world.”��

SoftBank will gain a seat on the��OneWeb��board of��directors��as a result of the investment.��

The post Broadband��satellite trailblazer’s funding tops £1bn appeared first on �Ͼ�Ʒ��Cloud.