The Scotland 5G Centre has officially opened a new S5GConnect Innovation Hub in Kilmarnock, partnering with Vodafone and HALO. 

This follows another hub that was recently launched in Aberdeen, and will be the 5th opened by the Scotland 5G Centre. Other hubs can be found in Forth Valley, Dundee, and Dumfries. 

Local businesses can take advantage of the hub’s 5G Mobile Private Network, which promises to improve productivity, decrease downtimes, enhance digital security, and improve customer experience, all while reducing costs and carbon footprints.

Sharon Neely, Business Engagement Manager of S5GConnect HALO Kilmarnock said: “The Innovation hub provides knowledge, expertise and space for businesses to prototype, design and trial goods and services over a private 5G network.”

At the official launch, local businesses heard how the Centre is working with the private and public sectors to enhance businesses through applying 5G.  

A series of demonstrations by partnered associations showcased 5G’s potential in Scotland. 

The University of Glasgow, a founding partner of the Centre, highlighted how organisations can maximise energy efficiency by monitoring room capacity and desk occupancy using AI techniques. 

Vodafone promoted their Mixed Reality technology as a training aid for complex tasks, and as a remote tool to support on-site engineers. 

Recommended

A security company with offices in Glasgow, Digital Barriers, showcased their combined 5G and AI technology in an object identifying and facial recognition demo. 

The hub’s launch is another step in The S5GConnect Programme’s goal of delivering the Scottish Government’s 5G strategy across the nation. 

“We look forward to supporting local companies and local public sector bodies, to help them to unlock the benefits of 5G enabled technology and how it allows them to achieve a step change in their business,” Neely added. 

Get the latest news from DIGIT direct to your inbox

Our newsletter covers the latest technology and IT news from Scotland and beyond, as well as in-depth features and exclusive interviews with leading figures and rising stars.

To subscribe, click here.