Finland’s Elisa demos remote-controlled 5G tractors – and more – at its new lab

(Image credit: Elisa)

Finland’s Elisa has opened a 5G Showroom in its premises in Helsinki, where it's displaying never-seen-before 5G solutions, including a remote-controlled tractor, a mobile app for 3D models, and high-resolution live streaming.

Elisa says the 5G network and the possibilities it provides will have a profound effect on consumers, companies and Finnish society as a whole. Its 5G showroom has several 5G solutions and services on display, three of which are world-first launches.

5G remote-controlled machinery

(Image credit: Elisa)

The world-first, which has been developed with tractor company, Valtra, is a safe way to remotely control heavy machines even in a challenging terrain: a tractor which can be controlled remotely with 5G and a 360 camera. 

“The tractor is located in Raisio, approx. 150 kilometers from Helsinki, but can be remotely controlled from Pasila, Helsinki, because of the high 5G speed and the low latency of 5G. In this 5G solution, the control signal stays in Elisa’s 5G network, which enables a high security level in the remote control. The remote driver has a full real time view of the environment through a 360 camera that is installed on the roof of the tractor, enabling a 4K view of the landscape,” states Elisa.

5G architectural mobile app

(Image credit: Elisa)

Elisa is also exhibiting a brand-new mobile 5G app to review 3D models in real time. A building’s design, construction and furnishing can be streamed to the mobile app that uses cloud computing. The 3D model can then be viewed from multiple angles by touching the screen and because the 3D models can be several gigabytes in size, previously it was not possible to view the models on phones. This app was developed by Elisa and Aalto University and uses the low latency and high bandwidth of the 5G network to increase productivity in building process.

5G 8K 360 VR live streaming

(Image credit: Elisa)

The third world-first on display is 360 VR live streaming with 8K resolution, for safer rescue operations, made possible by 5G. Video footage is broadcast in real-time from a bird’s-eye view in 360 degrees with an 8K resolution and is ideal for situations that demand high-quality and wide footage of the surroundings. Events recorded by 5G drones can be viewed exactly from the angle you want, which will make the work of emergency services easier. In the Elisa 5G Showroom, you can see the live drone video stream of the seashore in Jätkäsaari, Helsinki, transferred to the VR glasses located in the Elisa 5G Showroom.

“5G clearly increases performance, which interests companies"

Kimmo Pentikäinen, Elisa

“Elisa is a Finnish and international pioneer and now at the 5G Showroom we can present our best 5G services. Our services and solutions have been developed in strong collaboration with our partners and customers. We want to build a sustainable future through digitalisation. At the 5G Showroom one can see and experience different ways in which 5G will benefit the society in various fields. For example, 5G clearly increases performance, which interests companies", says Kimmo Pentikäinen, Vice President, Business Development, Elisa Corporation.



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(Image credit: Future)
Rachael Sharpe

Rachael is a British journalist with 17 years experience in the publishing industry. Since launching www.digitalcameraworld.com, she’s been freelancing, and working for some of the world’s best-loved websites and magazines including T3.com and TechRadar.com and has also had a book, iPad for Photographers, published. A regular contributor at 5Gradar, Rachael is following the 5G market closely. Find out more at www.rachaelsharpe.com