Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband allows drones to navigate weather

Verizon brings 5G Ultra Wideband to the Caltech Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST). to test how drones respond to weather

Engineers at Verizon are exploring how Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband, mobile edge compute and artificial intelligence (AI) can help drones detect, interpret and respond to changing weather conditions in real-time by testing them at the Caltech Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST).

Verizon says that researchers are currently testing how the low latency, high speeds and massive capacity of 5G and edge compute can be used to offload the heavy computing hardware that AI usually requires from a drone to the edge of the network, allowing for near real-time interpretation of weather data and near instantaneous in-flight adjustments. 

How does the CAST lab work?

In an attempt to recreate the ever-shifting environmental conditions that drones face in the real world, the lab features a three-story-tall aerodrome with more than 2,500 tiny computer-controlled fans that allow engineers to simulate everything from a light gust to a gale. It can also be tilted 90 degrees to simulate vertical take-offs and landings. The custom fan wall, designed and built by Caltech graduate students, was also used as the blueprint for building the fan wall that tested the Mars Ingenuity helicopter at JPL, which Caltech manages for NASA. Verizon is providing funding for the one-year drone research project, as well as, several 5G devices and consultation on 5G technology and hardware. 

“By collaborating with CAST researchers, we hope to accelerate the innovation process and development of unmanned aerial vehicles that can autonomously navigate using 5G, edge compute and AI,” said Nicki Palmer, Chief Product Development Officer at Verizon. “This research project is just the tip of the iceberg of what we hope to see tested. The facility and areas of exploration that CAST is working on represent the types of use cases that 5G can really take to the next level.”




Share

Featured Articles

AI & SD-WAN Exchange set to be key 2024 trends, expert says

Dr Thomas King, CTO of DE-CIX, one of the largest internet exchange operators, shares his technology predictions for 2024, including the future of AI

Apple to make iPhone and Android messaging easier with RCS

The tech giant says that iPhones will support the RCS messaging standard in 2024 for a smoother texting experience, having previously resisted the change

Verizon: Insight into the world’s largest telco

Coming in joint 21st on the 2023 Forbes Global 2000, which ranks the world’s largest companies, we take a deep dive into Verizon Communications

Cloud & 5G LIVE: Exploring the future of cloud computing

5G & IOT

Nokia Technology Strategy 2030: Networks must use AI

Connectivity

AI to revolutionise telcos, says Cloudera's Anthony Behan

Telecommunications