08.09.2021
Mobility of the future:O2 controls racing vehicles at IAA in real time via 5G network
Anyone of interest will be able to control racing cars in real time over a racetrack via the public O2 5G network.
World premiere in Munich: On the occasion of the IAA Mobility, Telefónica Deutschland/O2 demonstrates the possibilities that 5G technology has to offer for the future of mobility as part of the "O2 5G Race Days". Via the public O2 5G network, anyone of interest will be able to control racing cars in real time over a racetrack – anywhere across the world and from wherever 5G is available. A 60 meter race track, 6 model cars, 6 Samsung smartphones and a powerful 5G network - for their demonstration, O2 has set up the race track in the 5G Tech Lab of its Innovation Hub Wayra in the heart of Munich. There, model racers of the startup VROMBR will be controlled via the 5G network for the first time worldwide. Due to its superior technical properties - particularly the exceptionally short response times of currently already 10 to 20 milliseconds - the 5G mobile communications standard makes it possible for control commands to be transmitted from smartphone to automobile in real time.
Markus Haas
"Our 5G network forms the basis for digital, sustainable mobility solutions," says Markus Haas, CEO of Telefónica Deutschland / O2. "The 5G-based control of vehicles in real time is just one example of the new possibilities we can offer industry and consumers in the future with our connectivity solutions. With 5G, we create the conditions for new mobility concepts, connected factories, efficient energy grids and smart cities."
5G remote racing in the heart of Munich for the first time
Im TechLab des Telefónica Innovation Hubs WAYRY flitzen Modell-Racer des Startups VROMBR zum ersten Mal weltweit remote und via O2 5G über einen Rennparcours.
For the first time and as part of the "O2 5G Race Days", model cars by the French startup VROMBR race around the track via 5G. The race driver controls the car remotely via smartphone. Through a camera, the car's movements on the track are visible in real time. Appropriate control commands can be given, for example to change the car’s direction or to avoid opposing cars. The fast reaction times of the 5G network literally make the difference between victory and defeat.
The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G will be used as the end device at the "O2 5G Race Days". The race cars and smartphones are also equipped with the O2 Free Unlimited Max, a normal O2 5G rate tariff that O2 customers can purchase for themselves in store or online. The equipment used shows that 5G remote racing is already a reality today and no longer a technical dream of the future.
"We are thrilled to present the first 5G Remote Race of its kind here at the IAA in Munich. We are connecting e-sports with the real world and the limits of physics. Thanks to 5G with its extremely short response times, people from all over the world can participate in the races. This is the next level of e-gaming," says Michael Pastor, CEO of Vrombr.
The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G will be used as the end device at the "O2 5G Race Days". The race cars and smartphones are also equipped with the O2 Free Unlimited Max, a normal O2 5G rate tariff that O2 customers can purchase for themselves in store or online. The equipment used shows that 5G remote racing is already a reality today and no longer a technical dream of the future.
5G is a crucial factor for the realization of future mobility solutions, such as connected driving or intelligent traffic control. In connected driving, vehicles communicate with each other in real time, with other road users such as pedestrians or cyclists, and with the traffic infrastructure (including traffic lights). As a result, 5G contributes to road safety, as traffic accidents can be significantly reduced. Intelligent traffic control can in turn avoid traffic jams and reduce emissions.
5G milestone: O2 offers fast 5G in more than 100 German cities.
To ensure that mobility solutions of the future become a living reality as soon as possible, O2 installs its 5G network in more and more cities and regions. O2 has made significant progress in its 5G expansion campaign in recent weeks and has now reached an important milestone: the O2 5G network is already available in over 100 German cities. With around 2,500 5G antennas on the powerful 3.6 GHz frequencies, O2 is currently one of the drivers of fast 5G in Germany.
The 3.6 GHz frequencies are particularly suitable for peak performances in 5G operations. Customers thus benefit from faster speeds, higher capacities, and thus an improved 5G network experience overall.
Current industry studies confirm O2 5G network’s performance: The mobile communications analysis company Opensignal has named the O2 network the fastest 5G network in Germany, as it achieved the highest average speeds for download speeds1). The international speed test specialist Ookla also certified the O2 5G network as having the best "5G performance" of all German mobile providers2). And even apart from 5G, the O2 network is convincing according to expert tests: The leading industry magazine connect awarded the O2 network the grade "very good" in the last mobile network test3).
O2 ignites 5G expansion turbo: Nationwide 5G network by 2025
O2 is expanding its 5G network faster than any other prior technology: by the end of the year, the network operator will cover more than 30 percent of the German population with 5G, and by 2025 Germany as a whole.
In the future, O2 will continue to focus on expansion using the fast 3.6 GHz frequencies. In addition, O2 will launch the 5G rollout in the coming weeks using additional frequency bands that offer greater range and area coverage. The 5G roll-out over 700 MHz will enable the company to supply additional cities and regions with the new mobile communications standard even faster. The first test sites are already operating live. In addition, O2 will also be using Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) technology in selected regions in the future, which can switch flexibly between 4G and 5G. For this comprehensive 5G expansion program, the company is investing more than ever before in the expansion of the network infrastructure in the current year.
| 1) | Source: Opensignal Awards – Germany: 5G Experience Report August 2021 |
| 2) | Source: https://www.speedtest.net/global-index/germany |
| 3) | Connect mobile network test, issue 1/2021: „very good“ (852 points); total results: three times „very good“ (926, 876 and 852 points) |