Gamma Solutions has completed development of a 5G-SA technology pilot project exploring the possibilities offered by this technology across various strategic verticals of the company. This is the first 5G project for Gamma, the Diggia Group’s innovation business line, which has had two other projects since then, one in Spain and another in Cambridge, United Kingdom.

5G technology does not only refer to a specific radio access technology, but rather to the various new services in various sectors that are made possible in mobile communications. 5G technology has many transverse applications that Gamma Solutions is exploring for commercial exploitation: tourism, autonomous driving for functions such as remote assistance, cyber-physical communications or management of electrical energy grids for energy savings and supply assurance. 5G features fall into the categories of Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC), and Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC).

The pilot project has multiple use cases which include: High Quality Immersive Remote Training in Minimally Invasive Surgery, Smart Grid Automated Control, High Quality Immersive Tourist Experience, Remote Controlled Electric Vehicle Drivers, and Autonomous Drivers of Electric Vehicle Fleets.

The first use case is high quality immersive teletraining in minimally invasive surgery. With the development of a mixed reality training platform powered by 5G technology, it is intended to optimize the learning curve of medical students and residents. Thanks to this platform, they will be able to access educational materials in high-quality video formats and interactive 3D holograms, as well as real-time access to training sessions or live operations performed at the Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Center through interactive and high-resolution 360º vision.

The second use case is the automatic control of Smart Grids. For this purpose, Smart Grid powered by 5G technology has been implemented at the Cáceres Campus of the University of Extremadura. This Smart Grid is able to analyze customer behavior in real time and intelligently adapt the resources needed to meet supply demands with utmost safety.

In the field of tourism, an interactive mixed reality tourism application has been developed in the emblematic area of ​​the Monumental City of Cáceres. The app uses geolocation to offer interactive and formative information about the monuments the user has in the vicinity. With this, the travel offer is enhanced according to the needs and expectations of our increasingly technological and connected society.

On the other hand, the development of remote control drive systems for electric vehicles has been successfully completed. The system leverages 5G communications to transfer the management of electric vehicles to a control center, where a “virtual driver” can control the vehicle remotely. This system will make it possible to obtain all the information that would be obtained if the vehicle was driven in situ, as well as information captured by the sensor set used by the test scenario.

Lastly, an autonomous driving system for the electric vehicle fleet has been implemented. This sustainable transportation system is based on 5G technology to advance autonomous driving towards a system where an artificial intelligence center is tasked with processing information captured by both electric vehicle sensors and environmental sensors. In this way, global information is obtained about the context in which each vehicle is located and, in turn, movement orders are sent which allow each vehicle to be brought to its destination independently.

The 5G-SA technology pilot project is one of Diggia Group’s biggest exponents in its commitment to R+D+i, in which the entity has invested its own resources to transform the Cáceres University Campus and city center into highly connected spaces with the capacity to host projects large scale. The capabilities developed in this project will make it possible to explore new avenues of technology development and adapt each 5G solution to the specific needs and requirements of each client.

Thanks to this project, the city of Cáceres has become a highly connected base space for developing large-scale technological innovation projects. The foundation has been laid to implement future technology innovation projects using private 5G networks in national strategic sectors. In addition, knowledge in 5G technology has been acquired which will position Gamma Solutions among the premier entities specializing in 5G technology. The project also helps promote R+D+i in Extremadura, as well as enterprise-university collaboration and knowledge transfer. Lastly, quality employment and technology development in Extremadura has been promoted by the creation of direct and indirect jobs for graduates in the ICT sector.

The Extremadura 5G Pilot Project is part of the 5G National Plan pilot projects through two calls co-financed with the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and promoted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and digital transformation through the Public Business Agency Red.es . The Cáceres project is the only one in this plan led by a company independent of a major telecommunications operator.

“We are pleased to lead this 5G technology pilot project, which demonstrates our commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology,” said Carmen Barrantes, project manager. “We hope that this project will contribute to the technological development of this type of application. At Diggia Group we firmly believe in the commercial viability of this technology and we are working on a similar project as a continuation of this one.”