Dean Takahashi 
We look forward to presenting Transform 2022 in person again on July 19th and virtually from July 20th to 28th. Join us for insightful conversations and exciting networking opportunities. Register today!
Qulacomm said it introduces new platform support for advanced robotics products, 5G wireless networks and edge AI applications.
The company showcased Qualcomm Robotics solutions at its annual Qualcomm 5G Summit event as it recognizes the way 5G is expanding beyond smartphones.
The San Diego, California-based company unveiled its Qualcomm Robotics RB6 platform and Qualcomm RB5AMR reference design, which can be used to build advanced edge AI and robotics products using Qualcomm’s chips.
The solutions will help open up new commercial markets for autonomous mobile robots, delivery robots, highly automated manufacturing robots, collaborative robots, unmanned aerial vehicles, industrial drone infrastructure, autonomous defense solutions and more.
More than 5G
The platform combines Qualcomm AI Engine and 5G chip capabilities for cutting-edge applications and opportunities, including smarter and safer robots and environments.
The technology can be used to allow autonomy for delivery robots roaming the streets; Fleet management coordination via autonomous mobile robots in industrial areas; Real-time data and insights that enable critical manufacturing and logistics decisions, and intelligence to support autonomous urban air transport.
The Qualcomm Robotics RB6 platform and Qualcomm RB5 AMR reference design will support evolving applications for robot manufacturers looking to integrate ground robots into industrial use cases across industries. This could include government applications, logistics, healthcare, retail, warehousing, agriculture, construction, utilities and more.
The new solutions will accelerate the industry’s digital transformation and serve as a key enabler of what Qualcomm calls Industry 4.0.
“Building on the successful growth and traction of Qualcomm Technologies’ leading robotics solutions, our expanded roadmap of solutions will help deliver enhanced AI and 5G technologies to enable smarter, safer and more advanced innovations in robotics, drones and intelligent machines support,” said Dev Singh, head of autonomous robotics, drones and intelligent machines at Qualcomm Technologies, in a statement. “We are driving robotic innovations with 5G connectivity and premium edge AI that will transform the way we think and approach challenges and ever-evolving industry expectations in the digital economy.”
The next level
The Qualcomm Robotics RB6 platform aims to take innovation in enterprise and industrial robotics to the next level with enhanced AI and 5G. The new solution provides 5G connectivity with support for global sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave bands in mainstream, enterprise and home networks.
“We’ve seen massive growth and traction in the robotics space,” Singh said at a press event. “What we have is further evidence of how we continue to grow our portfolio while delivering the solution that addresses the ecosystem pain point.”
He said diversifying beyond smartphones into robotics is part of an overall diversification strategy for Qualcomm.
“Qualcomm is becoming a de facto choice for robotics applications,” Singh said. “Our technology is at the start [the] At the heart of everything and serving as the brains of all cutting-edge robotics deployments and trends across all industries.”
Qualcomm works with Adlink, Akasha Imaging (an Alphabet company), Cyngn, ForwardX, FutureMind, Hyundai Robotics, inVia Robotics, LG Electronics, Microsoft Azure Private MEC, ModalAI, Naver Labs, PuduRobotics, Samsung Electronics, Teledyne Flir, Thundercomm and others together more.
The Qualcomm RB5 AMR reference design is available now for pre-order through ModalAI and the Qualcomm Robotics RB6 development kit is available through Thundercomm.
“As more and more robotics are adopted, we see the robotics applications evolving into new areas such as first and last mile delivery robots, urban air mobility, smart manufacturing and also wireless factories,” said Singh. “Advances in all of these areas will greatly help humanity and also generate a lot of economic output. And it will make our lives better and easier by simplifying logistics, transportation, manufacturing and others.”
VentureBeat’s mission is intended to be a digital marketplace for technical decision makers to acquire knowledge about transformative enterprise technology and to conduct transactions. Learn more about membership.
