Sony and Docomo test driverless concept vehicle using 5G trial network

Sony Corporation and NTT Docomo, Inc. announced that they will jointly trial Sony’s conceptual driverless vehicle, the New Concept Cart SC-1, which leverages 5G mobile technologies for various remotely controlled functions.

The test will be conducted using the trial network in Docomo 5G Open Lab GUAM, which will provide test facilities and an outdoor verification environment constructed by Docomo and operated by Docomo Pacific, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Docomo.

The test will verify data transmission and operational performance required to remotely control the cart from a long distance via the extra-high speed, large capacity, low latency and massive-device connectivity. This will be the firms' second joint trial of 5G technologies, following a trial conducted in Japan in 2017 to test the real-time transmission of high-definition video via a 5G system to a 4K digital-signage system fitted to the outside of the cart.

The New Concept Cart SC-1 is a highly conceptual vehicle that incorporates artificial-intelligence (AI) and robotics technologies developed by Sony. Image sensors that exceed human vision are mounted on the vehicle's front, rear and both sides to provide the remote driver with high-quality video of the surrounding area, and also to on-board passengers, for example, to show them entertaining augmented-realty scenes of the surrounding area. The 4K digital-signage system can be used for displaying advertisements and other content in high-quality resolution to passersby.

Going forward, Sony and Docomo will collaborate further to expand the application of 5G technologies.