Reality-based test environments drive digital innovation in collaboration

The expansion of 5G edge nodes is slow in Sweden, which limits the development of the smart solutions of the future. Edge nodes, 5G connectivity and other necessary infrastructure need to be combined to achieve full benefit and the new technology needs to be tested and used in real, complex environments. Advanced Digitization finances the ED5GE Developer Community project, an initiative that combines technical testbeds in realistic environments with a developer community for knowledge and information exchange.

Realistic and complex environments

Under the leadership of project manager Martin Simonsson, with extensive experience in AI and digital image analysis, the ED5GE Developer Community creates test environments in different parts of Sweden. Companies and researchers can test advanced applications, such as AI-based drones and augmented reality, in realistic environments with modern digital infrastructure.

“Edge computing is about collecting and analyzing large amounts of data on site. A drone in a complex environment must be able to react lightning fast to its surroundings,” says Martin Simonsson. “The same applies to other applications, such as autonomous vehicles, augmented reality in glasses or automated industry. Analyzes need to be fast. Edge computing combined with 5G technology, which provides high bandwidth and the ability to prioritize data, creates a powerful platform for real-time technology”

In order to have a breadth of possible applications and tests, the testbeds will be located in locations with different character.

Security in Luleå port

In a port environment, people and vehicles move among cargo that can be flammable, explosive or otherwise harmful to health. Port operations and rescue services need constantly updated information about the situation in order to be able to cooperate effectively on risk management and rescue efforts. In the port of Luleå, how real-time use of large amounts of data from sensors in the area can be used to strengthen security is being explored.

Smart cities in Skellefteå

A future where drones deliver packages and community services is not far off. In Skellefteå, a near-city drone port is being built, a hub where companies and researchers can develop and test “drones-as-a-service”. The technology can reduce transport, improve the environment and create new opportunities for both private and public actors.

More efficient farming in Ultuna

In resource-efficient agriculture, irrigation and weed control need to be done at the right time and in the right place. In Ultuna, drones are being tested that, with the help of AI and image recognition, identify weeds and drought among crops and can remedy the problems immediately with reduced resource use as a result.

Circular economy in Boden

The more waste we can recycle and reuse, the greater the benefits for the environment. In Boden, the possibilities of autonomous vehicles that transport recycling bins and where advanced image analysis and AI models contribute to sorting materials efficiently are being explored.

Expansion of the necessary infrastructure lags behind

The expansion of 5G edge nodes is slow in Sweden, which limits the development of the smart solutions of the future. Edge nodes, 5G connectivity and other necessary infrastructure need to be combined to achieve full benefit. This is a priority issue in the EU, and the infrastructure on which the project is based is financed by the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF2) Digital fund.

“If the infrastructure is not in place, no applications will be developed. And if there are no applications, the infrastructure will not be built,” says Tor Björn Minde, project owner for the ED5GE Developer Community. “The project breaks the insular way of thinking in order to achieve a critical mass. We want to get as many synergy effects as possible and build a foundation for something that can become self-sustaining. If you get many people to use it, you will see how much fun it is.”

Shared learning

More applications need to be developed and tested in Sweden. The project’s developer community is a forum where actors can share ideas and benefit from each other’s progress.

“The developers don’t have to build everything from scratch. In a user-friendly portal, sample projects and ready-made code elements will be available. ”, says Martin Simonsson. “It could be about how to handle an image stream from drones and code for it, positioning services or AI for image recognition. We will learn from each other.”

The testbed with the developer community is long-term and open to projects that want to perform tests in real environments. The more projects that participate, the greater the knowledge and the more applications that can be explored.

“Om inte infrastrukturen finns på plats utvecklas inga tillämpningar. Och om inte tillämpningar finns kommer inte infrastrukturen att byggas.”
Tor Björn Minde, projektägare