Mobile World Congress 2019: 5G, and if not?
For the 6th year running, Alp ICT was a partner of the Swiss Pavilion at Mobile World Congress, which took place in Barcelona from February 25 to 28, 2019. An opportunity for our team to promote Swiss innovators, but also to share with you the technological nuggets behind the major trends.
"Intelligent connectivity" was the main theme and focus of the 2019 edition. A connected intelligence presented as the fusion of 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT ) that offers undreamt-of levels and speeds of connectivity. The promises of these combined technologies are great in terms of industrial transformation, new business models and an ever more connected and intelligent society.
5G finally comes to life, with its first wave of devices, services and solutions
5G was clearly the big star of the event, omnipresent in discussions and in the aisles of the Fira Gran Via with huge banners selling its virtues. After years of investment in research, pilots, beta versions, technological improvements and standardization debates, brands are finally presenting us with marketable services and devices. The technology has become a reality, so much so that MWC live TV was broadcast all week on 5G, in partnership with Samsung Networks. A historic breakthrough in the world of telecommunications!
The development of 5G multi-service connectivity opens up exciting prospects: beyond improving mobile broadband and making it accessible to countries where fiber is underdeveloped, the technology effectively supports the digital transformation of businesses. Indeed, new technologies such as artificial intelligence, immersive realities (VR/AR/MR/XR) and connected objects require a high-performance network.
5G will be gradually deployed on existing 4G sites. We can expect the commercial launch of 30 to 40 networks by 2020, in North America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Technology brands, from the smallest to the largest, are actively contributing to 5G standardization through partnerships and research activities. They are aware that the infrastructure, as well as the applications and services associated with 5G, still need to be optimized.
One question remains unanswered, however: the long-term impact of 5G, whether on infrastructure costs, ecosystem disruption, and above all on health.
Biometric authentication, a new type of data for industry
Security and customer experience are the watchwords of digital trust. The Mobile World Congress was no exception, as for the first time the GSMA organization team implemented "Breez" facial recognition technology at all Fira entrances, allowing attendees to pass through the door without ID.
Biometric technology is the most pleasant authentication method in terms of user experience. No more passwords to remember or write down. In an instant, your mobile phone recognizes your face, voice or behavior and gives you access to sensitive operations. Beyond the convenience and time savings, this authentication method is more secure than a code or card. Facial features are transformed into a single set of encoded data that cannot be easily replicated or stolen. What's more, the data is deleted immediately after recognition.
For example, the biometric authentication solution developed by ID R&D analyzes voice authenticity continuously and multimodally, with protection against identity theft attacks. An ideal solution for voice-enabled devices (smart speakers, IoT, mobiles, cars), enabling personalized user experience and secure monetary transactions/purchases without any additional steps. The majority of its users are currently large financial organizations. In addition, audio event detection can transform voice-activated products into security monitoring devices.
The industrial applications are numerous. With a camera that detects your face, your age, your mood, your movements, whether you're a man or a woman, and shares its analyses in real time, you can imagine the potential. Such is the case with SAFR, a RealNetworks product that recognizes the uniqueness of each face, with 99.86% accuracy, in a crowd of up to 10,000 people. Even with an imperfect image, the accuracy of artificial intelligence is still 95.2%. One can imagine the many applications of such computational performance, particularly in the fields of security, commerce and analytics.
ORBL is also a cloud-based facial recognition platform that detects a person's age, gender and mood. The company is already working with 18 industries. Airport boarding is one example, but it's mainly retail and marketing that are interested, in order to analyze the type, number and behavior of its customers, but also the elements that affect their emotional state.
The second quantum revolution is underway
Are you familiar with quantum technologies? Using quantum physics to explore the world of micro-technology, they encompass the methods used to produce tools whose operation is essentially based on a quantum property. Quantum technologies are divided into five main application areas:
- Quantum communication, for a secure digital society and a quantum internet with 100% secure transmissions for highly sensitive data (finance, health, government) and long-term security storage.
- Quantum simulation of complex systems for advanced design and development. Simulation of materials, reactions, drugs to be developed, optimization of logistics and supply chain problems with artificial intelligence.
- Quantum-sensing metrology to bring precision and performance to unprecedented levels: synchronization of future smart grids, non-invasive medicine, high-precision navigation.
- Quantum computing: computing power to solve currently unsolvable problems, solutions to demanding computing problems, Big Data, concept of a universal quantum computer.
- Fundamental quantum science to address fundamental challenges in the development of quantum technologies, improve the performance of quantum technology components or subsystems, create new tools to enable quantum technologies, push back the frontiers of quantum research.
Quantum Flagship, launched at the end of 2018, is one of the European Union's largest and most ambitious research and innovation initiatives, with a budget of €1 billion and over 5,000 researchers and industrial partners. They are working on 20 projects, including a European blueprint for a quantum internet, prototype quantum random number generators, cost-effective physical layer technology, and quantum cryptography for secure communications.
The long-term horizon is a "quantum web": computers, simulators and quantum sensors interconnected via quantum networks distributing quantum information and resources such as coherence and entanglement. The increased performance resulting from quantum technologies will generate unprecedented computing power, guarantee data confidentiality and secure communications, as well as very high-precision synchronization and measurements for a whole range of applications available to everyone, locally and in the cloud, even for our everyday lives.
Contextualization for an intelligent, connected user experience
Contextualization technology enables you to analyze your user base with a combined visualization of their location and use of your application. Startup Connecthings has been working for 11 years on a "HEROW" geolocation platform for mobile applications. Its Machine Learning algorithms offer in-depth user context analysis and real-time engagement tools, defining 7 circumstances about your users: location (at home, at work, at school, on vacation, on a business trip, in a store, at the gym or any specific place), behavior (stationary or walking, cycling, driving, active on the app or not, using public transport, cab, train), surroundings (weather, traffic, surrounding users, nearby places).
The power of augmented localization offers mobile applications unprecedented user intelligence. It reduces acquisition costs by targeting potential users more effectively, it increases engagement rates by choosing the ideal context to engage your users, it raises retention rates by providing contextual and personalized user experiences. Understanding the context in which your users use your application enables you to adapt to their needs and personalize their experience.
The Robot Cloud, artificial intelligence at the heart of the 5G society
We're already familiar with the humanoid robot Pepper, powered by cloud AI, or Patrol (patrol robot) for security in cities, residences, parking lots, public parks or shopping malls.
A new generation of cloud robots was presented by CloudMinds at MWC19. XR-1, the first commercial intelligent humanoid robot connected to the AI cloud via the secure 5G network. It features multiple 2D/3D visual perception modules and numerous sensors for compliance and secure interaction with humans and the environment. XR-1 is endowed with emotional intelligence and remarkable precision in its movements. It can serve as a concierge, receptionist, business guide, caregiver for the elderly, sales promoter, VIP service personnel in a variety of scenarios with task-oriented conversation and vision-controlled robotic manipulation.
The secure 5G network can operate millions of robots and intelligent devices of different types and roles. These robots incorporate cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies such as facial, voice and object recognition, navigation, motion control and other third-party services.
Among the robots spotted at the show was Temi, a robot for personal use at home or in the office. By voice alone, you connect to friends, smart devices, media and video communications. Temi interacts with humans while offering autonomous navigation, dynamic video and audio experiences thanks to its advanced artificial intelligence.
These intelligent robotic services enhance customer engagement in retail, hospitality, real estate, smart cities, education, healthcare and a wide range of other vertical applications.
The benefits of digitalization are many, and they don't just concern business performance. Mobile World Congress 2019 will be remembered above all for breaking down the boundaries between different industries and business sectors. The performance of 5G is one more tool to serve a broader, more human interest. Intelligent new technologies offer ever more powerful innovations which, in time, will be able to accompany and help people in all aspects of their daily lives.
