5G accelerator launches smart cities challenge for the West Midlands

5PRING and local authorities are and inviting start-ups and small businesses to submit ideas focused on health and social care, public services, social and events, and public safety.

The 5PRING 5G consortium is working with West Midlands’ local authorities to launch a smart cities challenge.

It is inviting start-ups and small businesses to shape the future of UK smart cities through the exploration of 5G applications in the West Midlands.

Collaboration with local councils

Organisations will be working with experts from local councils across the region, including Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton, as well as Black Country Consortium, Coventry and Warwickshire and Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnerships (Leps).

The challenge is focusing on the following areas:

health and social care
public services
social and events
public safety.

Businesses are being asked to present solutions and ideas to one or more of the challenge areas, including: driving efficiency of public services such as rubbish collection and road monitoring; supporting the resurgence of the high-street using digital experiences; journey planning; and improving public safety.

5PRING said organisations with 5G-enabled solutions that leverage capabilities such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and edge computing are “strongly encouraged” to apply.

Successful applicants will have access to the latest technology via a private 5G network at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park and a tailored acceleration programme, as well as coaching, mentoring and expertise provided by experts from the seven West Midlands’ local authorities, three Leps and the 5PRING consortium members Telefonica UK (O2), Deloitte, Wayra and Digital Catapult.

“Our collaboration with 5PRING will give all of the participating local authorities in the West Midlands the opportunity to work closely with small business and start-ups to support and leverage 5G innovation”

Companies will be able to take advantage of Wayra’s investor network and start-up offers, a combined consortium customer network, business development with corporate firms, and including consultancy from Deloitte.

“Our collaboration with 5PRING will give all of the participating local authorities in the West Midlands the opportunity to work closely with small business and start-ups to support and leverage 5G innovation,” said Raj Mack, head of business engagement (information, technology and digital services), Birmingham City Council.

He added: “With this collaboration, we are looking to foster digitalisation of an array of services. 5PRING will allow us to identify and trial ground-breaking solutions in a real testbed environment, using technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and IoT systems to support the creation of smart cities.”