SK Telecom, LG Electronics Partner for 5G Driven Cloud-based Robots

SK Telecom has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with LG Electronics on June 25 to jointly develop and commercialize 5G cloud-based robots.

Under the MOU, the two companies plan to develop autonomous robots connected to a 5G-based cloud platform, and use the robots to provide physical security and guidance services, and to build eSpace, a hyperspace platform.

Cooperation between the two leading companies is expected to drive innovations in the robot industry in this 5G era by accelerating both diversification of robot features and simplification of robot structure, which are deemed essential for the advancement of the robot industry.

SK Telecom and LG Electronics will connect the robots to the cloud through SK Telecom’s 5G network, which will enable users to conveniently and remotely download and update needed features to robots. Going forward, connectivity to the 5G cloud will greatly simplify the robots by moving many advanced capabilities and features to the cloud.

SK Telecom’s 5G Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) technology will be applied to the 5G-based cloud to support ultra-low latency communication of robots. In addition, its 5G network, applied with quantum cryptography technology, ensures a safe and secure use of robots for users.

Moreover, SK Telecom plans to apply its self-developed AI Inference Accelerator (AIX)* and SK Telecom Cloud for AI Learning (SCALE)** to the 5G robot cloud. Enhanced cloud features will not only improve information-processing performance of robots but also support interconnection among multiple robots.

With today’s MOU, SK Telecom plans to accelerate its 5G robot business. The company plans to apply the jointly developed 5G cloud-based robots to physical security services. These robots will be deployed to diverse facilities to detect abnormalities and ensure security 24/7. They will also be used to build eSpace, a hyper-space platform for replicating the real world in cyberspace, by collecting spatial data and precise photos. This will, in turn, enable the provision of high quality virtual space services at minimal additional cost.

“SK Telecom’s ICT such as 5G and AI will converge with LG Electronics’ robot-building expertise to realize innovative and attractive robot services,” said Park Jin-hyo, Chief Technology Officer and Head of ICT R&D Center of SK Telecom.