The technologists of the future: CW’s updated 5G Private Testbed accelerator kicks off
【Cambridge, UK, 9 March, 2022】The new cohort of UK companies, spanning multiple sectors, will look to unlock transformative, practical benefits from extended real-world application testing, with support from accelerator founder and host CW (Cambridge Wireless) and lead testbed partner Huawei.
The four accelerator companies in the latest cohort are:
- Conigital – a British driverless vehicle company, automating the way people and goods move, through a vision of greener, more efficient mobility, for all.
- i3 Simulations – an immersive training and education solutions company, specialising in healthcare training using cutting-edge Extended Reality (XR) technology;
- Renishaw – a global, high precision metrology and healthcare technology group, best known for its coordinate-measuring machines and machine tool products;
- PHINXT Robotics – a London-based start-up that develops hybrid-connected robotic logistics platforms, aiming to bring synchronised robotics to every warehouse.
Over the three-month independent 5G Private Testbed accelerator, the companies will also analyse cost and performance advantages to boost competitiveness, enabling them to disrupt their respective markets.
CW – the not-for-profit wireless technology membership body – has comprehensive experience running accelerators, with this March’s announced cohort being the third 5G-specific testbed project.
This year’s CW 5G Private Testbed has been updated to include Cellular IoT with NB-IoT for sensor-based networks, as well as significant outdoor 5G reach, to fully maximise opportunities for practical real-life testing – critical for moving from development phase to recognised technology.
Abhi Naha, Chief Commercial Officer at CW, is excited to see the latest cohort’s approaches, outputs and outcomes as the testbed programme progresses through March to May.
“As has been proven with previous cohorts, early access to an independent 5G testbed has enabled critical R&D and deployment of 5G-based solutions before their competition, resulting in a significant first-mover advantage, generating real business value not just for themselves, but also for their customers.
“We’re particularly excited to see the companies make use of the new cellular IoT and increased outdoor reach in fully road-testing their products.”
To ensure that participants benefit commercially from the testbed’s three-month R&D timeframe, CW and lead testbed partner Huawei are again offering expert technical and commercial consultancy, as well as using network connections to engage potential business partners and strengthen commercial propositions for the participants.
Victor Zhang, Huawei vice-president said: “There is nothing more important to Huawei than our investment in future technology, and Cambridge Wireless is a great example of this.
“We are now the second biggest investor in R&D in the world and we plan to maintain that position. I look forward to seeing the great tech that these companies come up with in the next few months. They are changing the world.”
The CW 5G Private Testbed, housed within the Cambridge Science Park, is fully operational and will feature:
- A fully functional E2E private 5G network with indoor and outdoor coverage in the 3.4-3.7GHz frequency band.
- now expanded to incorporate c-IoT support for sensor-based networks.
Entrants onto the accelerator programme will have access to:
- 5G enabled devices such as CPE, handsets, VR glasses, modules and modems available for use;
- support to integrate new hardware, software and applications where required;
- technical experts from CW and Huawei to help define and run the use cases;
- commercial & business consultants from CW and Huawei to assist on the business case and potential channels to market;
- introduction and engagement with CW member network relating to vertical Industry sectors; and
- training, workshops and events.
To see output, outcomes and video summaries from the previous three-month accelerators – both held in 2021 – visit the CW website here.
For further information, please contact CW CCO Abhi Naha.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
Media contact
Adam Driver, Marketing Manager, CW, adam.driver@cambridgewireless.co.uk
Images
Available hi-res on request. Contact Adam (see above).
About CW
CW is the leading international community for companies involved in the research, development and application of wireless and mobile, internet, semiconductor and software technologies. With an active community of over 1000 technology companies, ranging from major network operators and device manufacturers to innovative start-ups and universities, CW stimulates debate and collaboration, harnesses and shares knowledge, and helps to build connections between academia and industry.
For more information visit https://www.cambridgewireless.co.uk
About PHINXT Robotics
PHINXT Robotics is building a scalable platform enabling interoperability among robotic hardware of different types and from different manufacturers.
Its patented technology allows for hybrid connectivity, enabling robots and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) to stay synchronised even without a central hub, meaning they can safely optimise tasks between themselves in real-time without human intervention nor the internet, and even complete their task backlogs if the central hub is compromised.
About Conigital
Conigital are a British, driverless vehicle company automating the way people and goods move in some of the world's busiest and most complex environments. They are on a mission to disrupt the transport industry through a vision of greener, more efficient mobility, for all.
Conigital are lead partners in the International Connected Autonomous Vehicle (ICAV) Cluster (www.icavcluster.com) bringing together major movers and shakers in this emerging industry.
About Renishaw
Renishaw plc is a British engineering company based in Wotton-under-Edge, England. The company specialises in measurement, motion control, healthcare, spectroscopy and manufacturing and is best known for its coordinate-measuring machines and machine tool products.
About i3 Simulations
i3 Simulations is an immersive healthcare simulations company based in Luton, UK, with representation in the US, India, and Singapore. We are on a mission to collaboratively create immersive, interactive, and intelligent medical training solutions, that are scalable and repeatable, to improve human performance and reduce clinical error in the real world.
Our products are available in 75+ medical institutions in 30+ countries worldwide and growing, and we strive to bring the latest in cutting-edge technology to the forefront of medical simulations.
About Huawei
Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We are committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. Huawei's end-to-end portfolio of products, solutions and services are both competitive and secure. Through open collaboration with ecosystem partners, we create lasting value for our customers, working to empower people, enrich home life, and inspire innovation in organizations of all shapes and sizes. At Huawei, innovation puts the customer first. We invest heavily in fundamental research, concentrating on technological breakthroughs that drive the world forward. We have nearly 194,000 employees, and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than
three billion people around the world. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company, fully owned by its employees.
For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com or follow us on:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/Huawei
http://www.twitter.com/Huawei
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