Mobile communications company T-Mobile has announced that it is working with InDro Robotics, a Canadian air and ground robotics research and development company, to trial industrial inspection robots using 5G connectivity.
T-Mobile provided the remote connection to operate InDro Robotics’ ground-based industrial inspection robots, in a trial of the bots’ security testing and inspection capabilities at electrical substations.
InDro Robotics’ Sentinel was selected by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to monitor ground-roving robotics as it can reportedly provide 24-hour asset inspection and monitoring.
According to the two companies, Sentinel successfully ran constant surveillance while transferring data back to maintenance teams, in close to real time, using a custom integrated 5G router connected to T-Mobile’s network. The rover was reportedly able to follow preset paths while running autonomously, being remotely controlled by operators over 5G.
“Like most robotics, the Sentinel requires an ultra-reliable network with low latency, and T-Mobile 5G proves to be more than capable,” said John Saw, EVP of advanced and emerging technologies at T-Mobile.
“The possibilities to use 5G in ways that keep people safe, make life easier and help businesses save money are endless…we’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s possible.”
The robot is equipped with a thermal camera, depth sensor and 30x zoom capabilities. InDro Robotics’ Sentinel rover can reportedly read and report on gauge levels while monitoring for abnormalities, including fluctuating component temperatures, intruders, wildlife hazards and more.
What’s more, the Sentinel is designed to record all of this information and send it back to maintenance teams almost instantly, in the aim of reducing the number of roll outs, speeding up responses and increasing on-site safety.
According to T-Mobile and InDro Robotics, without a reliable connection and 5G speeds, Sentinel would find it far more challenging to carry out these tasks.
InDro Robotics claims to have chosen T-Mobile due to the size, speed and reliability of its 5G network.
