To support winners of MassTLC 5G Robotics Challenge sponsored by Verizon and Ericsson, Waypoint Robotics, a Merrimack, NH based robotics company, recently delivered a mobile manipulation platform to the 5G Lab at the Alley in Cambridge, MA. The mobile manipulation robot, comprised of Waypoint’s flagship Vector autonomous mobile industrial robot and Waypoint’s quick-swappable UR5 payload, will be leveraged by the challenge winners to develop robotics solutions bolstered by 5G technology.
This first-of-its-kind challenge asks teams to create 5G-powered robotics technologies in three key areas: industrial automation, collaborative robotics (cobots), and warehouse automation. As part of the program, winners will be able to utilize the Vector mobile manipulation platform as needed and will have access to dedicated 5G networks at Verizon’s 5G Cambridge Lab and 5G Waltham Lab, as well as 5G training and mentorship from Verizon and Ericsson.
“We are excited to support the 5G Robotics Challenge winners who are working to accelerate robotics development with the advantages offered by 5G technology and mobile edge computing” said Jason Walker, CEO Waypoint Robotics. “This is a great example of the thriving New England Robotics community working together to push forward innovative technologies that will have real benefits for the workforce and the companies they work for.”
After a strong response to the call for proposals, the winning teams were announced by MassTLC in early February and include university teams from Northeastern and University of Massachusetts Lowell; as well as four start-ups: Ava Robotics, GreenSight, RealBotics, and Southie Autonomy. Winners of the 5G Challenge each received $30,000 in grant funding to create insights, develop new use cases, and conceive innovative products that will advance the robotics industry by leveraging the unique speed, bandwidth and latency benefits of Verizon’s 5G technology and Mobile Edge Compute.
The volume of ideas and creativity proposed during the submittal process underscores a thriving greater Boston robotics community. Challenges like these with support from organizations like MassTLC, Verizon and Ericsson help fuel this growth. Waypoint Robotics will continue to contribute to the robotics community by offering advanced technology that is easy to use for both the industrial workforce and entrepreneurs alike who are putting real robots to work in the real world.
