First release of the 5G-A enabled embodied intelligence application in power grid

The Guangdong branch of China Southern Power Grid (CSG), China Mobile, Leju Robot, and Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence (BIGAI) have jointly released the first application demo of 5G-A-powered embodied intelligence robots on a real-world power grid. This marks a significant breakthrough in merging 5G-A networks with cutting-edge robotics within critical industrial settings.

5G-A's three core capabilities underpin Ppower grid inspection

In complex power grid environments, conventional communication technologies struggle to deliver the real-time data interaction and precise control needed by embodied intelligence robots. This application demo validates 5G-A's vital role as the robots' "neural network," evidenced by the successful application of its three core capabilities in power grid inspection.

Wide coverage and high stability: seamless connectivity for operations

With ubiquitous 5G-A connectivity across the demo site, robots remain seamlessly connected when moving between indoor panel cabinets and outdoor equipment areas. This allows them to complete continuous, long-distance inspection routes in large power plants and substations. This capability is fundamental to enabling unattended operations across all areas.

High uplink speeds: real-time, ultra-HD sights

In the inspection demo area, robots need to upload real-time data such as their position, instrument data, and switch status to the monitoring center through HD cameras equipped on their heads and multiple depth cameras on their wrists, so that remote operators can decide whether to conduct pressure and temperature measurements and perform precise operations inside panel cabinets. The robots also rely on edge decision-making to complete inspection tasks. To support the instant upload of massive data volumes and edge decision-making, the 5G-A network must deliver large uplink bandwidth and high stability. For this application demo, Huawei and China Mobile apply innovative 5G-A uplink-enhancement technology to provide stable uplink speeds of 10 Mbps to 20 Mbps, enabling remote operators to view clear, smooth, and ultra-HD first-person view images using VR headsets. This creates an immersive on-site experience and supports precise device status checks over ultra-long distances.

Low latency and high reliability: remote, precise, and safe operations

The 5G-A network also delivers millisecond-level latency and high reliability for safe-distance operations on devices such as 110 kV bay control cabinets and 10 kV feeder cabinets. It enables robots to precisely mirror the actions of remote operators in real time for tasks like device switching and power testing, protecting operators from direct exposure to high-voltage risks.

Taking efficiency and safety to new levels for industry applications

This innovative solution transforms power grid inspections by boosting efficiency by 84 percent  year-on-year and significantly enhancing personnel safety. It showcases how 5G-A networks are key to enabling the widespread adoption of embodied intelligence robots in various industries. This provides a replicable, scalable technical solution and commercial model for scaling up embodied intelligence robots in sectors that demand high mobility and precision, such as smart manufacturing, emergency rescue, and warehousing logistics.

As 5G-A evolves, it will deeply merge with AI to bring intelligent applications to every industry, ultimately ushering in a new era of intelligent connectivity for everything.