The American semiconductor technology provider, Qualcomm is joining hands with SK Telecom, one of the leading Korean telecommunication operators and Integrit, a local robotics firm to build a new open data-based platform for robots.
The new platform will enhance the connectivity among intelligent robots. It’s going to set up a mutual interlocking system and also subjugate the boundaries of the current robot ecosystem. Through the underway open platform, many robot services can be launched including no purchase subscription or shared bots in both public and commercial establishments.
Robots installed on one site will be able to swiftly integrate with another. The platform will eliminate the requirement for individual learning structure and environment as robots would be able to learn from the shared database.
A certain type of open robot data platform was much needed to cope with South Korea’s ever-growing robotic sector which previously recorded a 4.1 percent revenue growth. The Korean robotics industry has been rising rapidly although it’s comparatively newer and smaller than its Japanese and US counterparts.
There’s been a sound demand for industrial robots from various companies, especially SMEs (small to medium-sized companies) in recent times. Earlier, before the pandemic incorporating robots was majorly carried out by large to medium companies. But the latest stats show that the demand has been derailed by the pandemic. In a way, the usage of robots has become more common among Korean businesses.
South Korea aims to be a major player in the robotics market in the upcoming years. In 2022, the robot density in Korea was calculated to be 932 installations per 10,000 employees, the highest in the world and also 7 times larger than average. The Korean government is continually facilitating the robotics sector by funding indigenous robot manufacturers in their country.
The new partnership between Qualcomm, SK Telecom and Integrit can turn out to be a game changer for the robotic and technology arena. As per SK Telecom, they had already signed a deal with Integrit last year.
Under their newly formed SK Telecom and Integrit partnership with Qualcomm Inc. onboard, security standardization, AI application and data sets will be directed by SK Telecom. Furthermore, they will provide hardware systems such as high-resolution cameras, and a 5G network, along with software including voice interaction and self-subsistent driving.
SKT recognizes that a lot of potential goes untapped with the majority of intelligent robots. The domestic robotic market extensively comprises robots that grasp information and process data from their field only.
Qualcomm will be taking care of the induction of AI engines and Robotics RB5 platform development at the same time. In addition to this, they will provide the Internet of Things processor QRB5165.
On the other hand, Integrit’s role will be to perform testing and verify the robot’s interoperability for certification. Integrit further aims to incorporate SKT Co. and Qualcomm technologies to develop robot development kits soon.
All three parties plan to introduce their open robotics platform dubbed ‘Airpath’ by 2023. It is expected to be launched at the largest connectivity event, Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Emerging tech like Artificial intelligence, 6G, metaverse and also urban air mobility (UAM) is going to be highlighted demonstration at the upcoming event.
