NTT DOCOMO succeeds in remotely controlling multiple robots with a single software

July 1, 2021

Demonstration uses 5G and ORiN middleware for cross-manufacturer robot control

On June 17, 2021, NTT DOCOMO announced the successful completion of a demonstration experiment in which industrial robots from multiple manufacturers were remotely controlled using a single software system, enabled by 5G communication.

The demonstration was conducted from March 4 to April 7, 2021, in collaboration with DENSO WAVE, Yamaha Motor, KAWADA ROBOTICS, Office FA.com, and the ORiN Consortium.

High-definition video and wireless robot integration over 5G

The project utilized ORiN middleware developed by the ORiN Consortium and NTT DOCOMO’s 5G network. Through the middleware, a robot operator connected a SCARA robot by Yamaha Motor and a humanoid robot by KAWADA ROBOTICS, and remotely operated both machines via 5G while monitoring the site with high-definition video.

This experiment demonstrated the potential of multi-robot collaboration, regardless of manufacturer, and the feasibility of building flexible, wireless production layouts through 5G connectivity.