IMDA bares 3 new 5G projects awarded under its innovation programme

These include holomedicine capabilities, cinematic AR experience, and smart glasses.

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) announced the three new projects awarded under its 5G Innovation Programme that will help position and reinforce Singapore’s role as a 5G regional innovation hub.

In a statement, IMDA said these 5G projects include mixed reality and holomedicine, cinematic augmented reality experience, and smart glasses solutions.

A $30m funding has been allotted under the 5G Innovation Programme to speed up the adoption and commercialisation of 5G solutions.

The mixed reality technology uses holographic displays and images to improve and augment healthcare delivery. It partnered with the Nationa University Health System, Singapore Telecommunications, and apoQlar GmbH to develop 5G technology in holomedicine that uses mixed reality devices such as Microsoft’s HoloLens 2.

IMDA said the collaboration project will allow the holomedicine platform to hinge on the high-speed network need for real-time transmission of large volumes of large volumes of data from HoloLens 2 devices.

Rendering of high-resolution 3D images and holographic projections, scan reconstructions, procedure and surgical navigation, and remote assistance will be possible in the operating theatres. Enhanced visualisation of patients’ veins during a blood-taking procedure, point-of-care ultrasound imaging capabilities, and patient education and counselling outside the operating theatre will be made possible soon.

Meanwhile, the authority will work with Infinite Studios and D.ink to produce a “creative story-telling, and immersive technology” to enable an experience merging the physical world with simulated reality using augmented reality in the Marina Bay area.

It also worked with Keppel Offshore & Marine with M1, Hiverlab and Suga to develop and commercialise a 5G-enabled augmented reality/virtual reality smart glasses solution for the maritime sector.

“Singapore will continue to push the boundaries of innovation through frontier technologies such as 5G. We are excited to work with our industry partners to unlock the real impact of 5G. We look forward to seeing new and exciting ways 5G will benefit our businesses and consumers,” IMDA Chief Executive Lew Chuen Hong said.