Government welcomes University’s pioneering 5G work in Sherwood Forest

Two years of pioneering work by Birmingham City University to introduce cutting edge digital technology into Sherwood Forest has been recognised by the government.

The 5G Connected Forest (5GCF) project, led by Nottinghamshire County Council and delivered by University computer, data, network and AI scientists alongside industry partners, saw Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and ground-breaking robotics – including a forest ranger dog called Gizmo – at work in the famous ancient woodland.

At the recent UK5G Showcase 2022 event, the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and UK5G celebrated the achievements and outcomes of the £800m UK 5G Testbeds & Trials programme, of which the 5GCF project was part.

The work by Birmingham City University’s Cyber-Physical Systems research group, in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council, saw the integration of state-of-the-art technology in high-end robotic systems, using a suite of high-definition cameras, laser sensors and wireless 5G connectivity to create new environmental management systems around important forests.