UK, South Korea team up for 5G transport tech
The UK Government has announced the winner of a £2.4 million joint project with South Korea to develop new 5G experiences for users of public transport.
The 5G RailNext consortium has been selected to test how 5G can deliver uninterrupted ‘infotainment’ services across the Seoul Metro system.
The project, which will run from August 2019 to March 2021, will deliver augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) content — such as travel information, video streaming and gaming — through devices such as headsets.
A follow-up demonstrator in the UK will take place on the Glasgow subway, with the consortium exploring potential use on the London Underground and New York Metro.
The 5G RailNext consortium is led by Cisco and comprises British companies Soluis and Ampletime along with the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow City Council.
“We’re delighted to be working with DCMS and such innovative partners on this project,” said Tony Gribben, Country Manager for Cisco Scotland.
“More so than any other wave of connectivity, 5G presents an opportunity to ensure every industry can benefit from connectivity and the added value it provides to society. With Glasgow Metro one of the oldest in the world, what more challenging and relatable environment to trial than a moving metro train, equipped with the latest in augmented reality technology?”
Jon Kingsbury, Head of Digital Economy & Creative Industries at the Knowledge Transfer Network, one of the founding partners of UK5G, added, “The 5G RailNext project is an exciting and innovative collaboration between the UK and Korea — deploying world-class British advertising and digital expertise to develop new and useful services for commuters. We especially look forward to the project bringing back insights from its trial on the Seoul Metro to benefit passengers in the UK.”
The UK and South Korean governments will each contribute up to £1.2 million in grant funding to support the project.
The initiative is part of the UK Government’s £200 million 5G Testbeds & Trials Programme, which aims to develop 5G applications and services for domestic and global markets.
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