With so much 5G excitement and how it will impact the consumer marketplace, the potential for other opportunities can simply be lost in the current hype. With the current focus on digital advancement, it is the industrial transformation that will deliver the most meaningful changes to our society. While consumer centric services like Live TV, streaming video, or wireless gaming continue to consume media attention, the industrial marketplace is positioned to yield significant value.

With 5G sub-millisecond wireless connectivity and enhanced bandwidth, industries such as oil and gas, transportation, healthcare, manufacturing, factories and other like industries, will see significant changes. All of these industries must be ready to oversee substantial autonomous resources as they yield automated manufacturing connected robotics, autonomous driving, automated guided vehicles, and the endless list of other opportunities.

To prepare, we need to think about how to collaborate with these industry partners that are poised to secure the automation and process efficiencies delivered by 5G.

The 5G New Radio (NR) enhancements in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) will enable reliable massive machine connectivity in factories and pave the way for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) for transportation safety and mobility benefits. 5G wireless enhanced bandwidth coupled with multi-access edge computing (MEC) are critical as we examine the future of autonomous driving.

Imagine a self-driving car where the car is sending a Live data stream to cloud servers. Now, imagine the car needing to make a crucial sub-millisecond decision to protect the passengers. The consequences can be disastrous if the car has to wait for the cloud server to process the data, and then respond in a timely manner to the self-driving car.

Although advanced algorithms like real-time object detection (YOLOv3) have improved the process of object detection, the latency is at the heart of the problem when the car has to send data to the central server and wait for a response before it can take action! Therefore, we need the primary processing for actions like when to stop or decelerate to be performed at the car.

The 5G wireless revolution will also provide substantial value for our Health & Safety Sector. Imagine drones working with mobile networks to expedite emergency responses. For example, carrying a first aid kit or defibrillator to the site of an accident. Ambulances will get to the emergency scene much faster thanks to 5G interconnectivity between Smart Cars. Surgeries will be made possible anywhere thanks to the remote wireless connectivity of robotics.

In addition, health monitoring may become a reality with smart-clothing and ingestible health monitors, as constantly connected sensors will provide instant feedback and help develop remedies. Augmented Reality (AR) will also help guide doctors, nurses and surgeons to optimal treatment thanks to real time wireless information being provided. The possibilities are endless.

Without a doubt, 5G (NR) wireless will lead to one of the most extensive technological transformations of our lifetime, with unlimited possibilities. Not only will it transform industries, but it will also help save lives with optimized emergency services and the reduction of car accidents. Ranging from connected cars to connected cows, this new industry standard will change everything.