After the successful proof-of-concept development phase of the 5G smart pole which integrates 5G base stations, weather and air quality sensors, video cameras, displays and other devices to light poles LuxTurrim5G ecosystem will now move on to the next level. The second phase, consisting of two highly interlinked projects (LuxTurrim5G+ and Neutral Host Pilot) and bringing together +100 key experts of 26 partner organizations in active joint development, was kicked off beginning of September. A key target of LuxTurrim5G+ (already confirmed funding by Business Finland) is now to prepare the smart pole concept for productization and wider pilot implementations both in Finland and globally. The sister project Neutral Host Pilot (expecting funding decision in October) in turn aims to create a new data driven service-platform and business/operational models for smart cities.
New partners and smart pole versions for productization and scaling-up
New partner companies were invited to the second project phase to bring their expertise for the joint development aiming for productization of the smart pole and enabling wider pilot implementations.
Tehomet, known as the Nordic leading manufacturer of custom steel and wooden lighting poles and high masts and today part of Valmont Industries, the market leader in lighting poles worldwide, takes the key role in the pole design and manufacturing. “Tehomet has always been a trendsetter during its 40 years in lighting pole business. We are happy to bring our manufacturing expertise and design knowledge to the LuxTurrim5G palette. LuxTurrim5G+ project is a great opportunity to develop smart light poles further with joined forces. This kind of novel smart infrastructure products require strong and reliable partnerships and piloting in real-life environment is crucial. Ongoing digitalization is driving also outdoor lighting infrastructure to change and update when arriving into a new decade. This creates new and interesting business opportunities for all partners”, says Sami Huuskonen, Design Manager at Tehomet.
Orbis, brings important contribution to the development of flexible solutions for cabling and connections. Celebrating the 70th anniversary this year the company has solid expertise in data transmission, radio frequency and fiber optic technologies. “We are very excited to join the LuxTurrim5G+ project where together with other partner companies we can create an innovative connectivity platform that enables new services, create value for the cities and opens new business opportunities globally”, says Jani Linna-Aro, CEO of Orbis.
As an experienced Finnish infrastructure and construction service company, Destia in turn will bring key expertise in planning, building and maintenance of lighting systems and other urban infrastructure. “Based on the project, Destia will even further improve its knowledge and expertise to fulfil customers’ needs in the area of smart infrastructure, and will continue as market leader in maintenance and building of street lightning infrastructure. We believe the project and its concept will be setting "standards" for future infrastructure projects of similar kind, both in urban or rural areas”, says Keijo Hietanen Product Manager at Destia.
Extending the smart light pole pilot network
One concrete element in the joint work to be done already this Autumn by the LuxTurrim5G+ project partners together with City of Espoo is extending the smart light pole network around Nokia Campus. The current plan includes building 15 new smart light poles which will cover the 1.5 kilometer route from the Nokia Campus to the Kera railway station by the end of this year.
This extended pilot network provides a connectivity platform that allows further development and piloting of new services and use cases in real urban environment – to be made actively together with the sister project Neutral Host Pilot. One example of those, is the autonomous self-driving GACHA shuttle bus by Sensible4 which is both utilizing this connectivity network and widening the sensing platform to gather useful data enabling new services. “Productization of the LuxTurrim5G smart pole is indeed the key focus area in the new phase of the project, but another as important target is to understand properly the various needs of future smart and sustainable cities and the people living and working there. That’s why we continue to develop and pilot examples of smart city services enabled by the LuxTurrim5G smart pole 5G infrastructure and data collection platform together with the other ecosystem partners like Teleste, Vaisala, VTT and City of Espoo. For this the LuxTurrim5G test network at Nokia Espoo Headquarters campus area and the coming LuxTurrim5G pilots in Espoo Kera area are crucial assets”, says LuxTurrim5G+ Project Leader Pekka Wainio from Nokia Bell Labs.
LuxTurrim5G+ Project partners (with key focus area):
Nokia Bell Labs (project lead, 5G radio technology & networks), Premix (RF materials), Teleste (city safety and information services), Vaisala (environmental & weather related services), Indagon (positioning technologies & services), Ensto (luminaires, electric vehicle charging), Rumble Tools (drone docking station & services), Orbis (cabling, connections, integration), Tehomet (pole design & manufacturing), Destia (street lighting, infrastructure), VTT (radio technology, positioning, connectivity platform development), Aalto University (radio technology, thermal/energy management), Tampere University (materials & mechanics development), Spinverse (project & ecosystem coordination)
The project is funded by participating companies and Business Finland.
Main contacts:
Markku Heino, Spinverse, markku.heino(at)spinverse.com, LuxTurrim5G Ecosystem leader
Joni Turunen, Spinverse, LuxTurrim5G+ Project Manager
Pekka Wainio, Nokia Bell Labs, pekka.wainio(at)nokia-bell-labs.com, LuxTurrim5G+ Project Leader
Visualisation of the new LuxTurrim5G smart light poles in Kera, Espoo. Image: Tehomet