The showcase offers a preview of the state-of-the-art technology and marks what Optus says is a significant milestone in its commitment to make leading 5G technological advancements.
Open for the duration of the Commonwealth Games, this is Optus’ first public showcase using a live Optus 5G network, to provide visitors with a hands-on experience of what’s possible with 5G technology.
Managing director of Optus Networks, Dennis Wong, said, “What we have here today is a spectacular simultaneous demonstration of 5G capability, powered by a live 5G network, rather than through simulations.
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“Educating consumers on the full range of benefits and potential that 5G may offer is an important step in working towards a digitally enabled world."
Optus will showcase multiple user applications connected through a 5G system, catering for various service and capacity requirements simultaneously.
Optus’ 5G showcase demonstrates key differences between 5G and other wireless technologies, specifically, high bandwidth and low latency. The virtual reality use cases showcase high bandwidth applications — which is the ability to manage significant data volumes — while the robotics demonstration highlights low latency, which is important as industry moves toward connected devices and IoT.
“From being able to see 16 Gbps speeds through a 5G test room, to using a robotic arm to operate a vending machine, these experiences allow people to truly see how 5G may be integrated into day-to-day life – not just numbers on a screen,” said Wong.
The Optus 5G Technology Showcase will include:
Rock Paper Scissors
What you’ll experience
This robot hand challenges you to a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Using superfast speeds and low latency, it’s the ultimate challenger. It’s also an example of how machine arm intelligence, coupled with high speeds, can be applied into the manufacturing industry to increase efficiency and productivity.
Robotic Arm
What you’ll experience
Using 5G technology and motion detection to control a mechanical arm, you’ll be able to pull a rugby ball out of a vending machine. The robot arm mimics your movements in real time, highlighting how 5G will provide the high speeds and low-latency needed to viably assist surgeons when operating remotely.
VR Football
What you’ll experience
Virtual Reality Headsets have the potential to change sports training. In this experience, strap on a Virtual Reality Headset to catch a football, while being fully immersed in a 360-degree video. For athletes, this can be used for remote training, allowing coaches to have a full view of your training and technique.
VR Cycling
What you’ll experience
Using the super-fast speeds of 5G, take a ride on the specially designed bike in a stadium ride off. You’ll be immersed in virtual worlds that are streamed in HD – allowing you to move freely in any direction you choose.
VR Driving
What you’ll experience
Strap on a Virtual Reality Headset and take a drive around the Gold Coast. This experience showcases how 5G will in the future allow for Virtual Driving – an experience where the driver can control a vehicle from a remote location. In difficult or dangerous environments, this could reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
360 degree dome
What you’ll experience
Walk inside the Optus 360 degree dome and experience events from the Games, like you’ve never seen. Immersive, eye opening content from the bottom of Optus Aquatic Centre gives you the best seat in the house.
In addition to what’s happening inside the Optus 5G Technology Showcase, Optus says it has successfully streamed 8K video over its outdoor 5G network while on-the-go.
This is achieved through an Optus 5G Van equipped with an 8K television, which carries a prototype 5G device with the live trial network in operation. This demonstration will allow users to see how video content can maintain ultra-high quality streaming levels on the move.
“Seamless 5G connectivity between sites is a fundamental building block in mass connectivity and ultra-reliable applications, which are unique to 5G,” Wong said.
