Connectivity trends in robotics: 5G and cellular IoT are only just emerging
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Today, advances in AI, sensor technology and autonomy are enabling robots to take on more complex and varied roles, not only in controlled industrial environments such as factories but also in dynamic, human-centric settings such as airports, hospitals, shopping centres and city streets. These include applications in service robotics, delivery and drones. As robotics systems become more sophisticated, the demand for robust and reliable connectivity grows, particularly for remote operation, real-time navigation, video processing and mission-critical application support.
From a telecoms perspective, robotics was recognised early on as a key future use case during the planning and rollout of 5G around seven years ago. With 5G-Advanced now commercially deployed in early-adopter countries, it is timely to evaluate 5G’s real-world impact on robotics. We also explore how complementary technologies such as edge computing, IoT and eSIM are shaping the connectivity landscape.
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