5G-ERA · Project

5G Middleware That Makes Robots Work Independently in Factories, Hospitals, and on Roads

digitalPilotedTRL 7

Imagine your robot at work keeps freezing because the WiFi can't keep up — like streaming a movie on bad internet, except the robot is carrying medical supplies or inspecting a disaster zone. 5G-ERA built a smart middleware layer that connects robots to 5G networks so they can offload heavy computing tasks to the cloud in real time. Think of it as giving every robot a superfast brain extension over 5G. They proved it works across four real-world settings: emergency response, transport, hospitals, and factory floors.

By the numbers

consortium partners across the project

countries represented in the consortium

EUR 4,725,393

EU contribution to the project

85%

industry ratio in the consortium

SMEs in the consortium

vertical sectors with dedicated showcases (PPDR, transport, healthcare, manufacturing)

total project deliverables produced

The business problem

What needed solving

Autonomous robots in factories, hospitals, and emergency zones are limited by their onboard computing power and unreliable wireless connectivity. When a robot needs to process complex sensor data or make split-second decisions, current networks often can't deliver the speed and bandwidth required. This forces companies to either install expensive onboard hardware or accept lower robot performance.

The solution

What was built

The project built a complete 5G middleware platform (initial and final versions) that connects robots to cloud computing over 5G networks, plus reference network applications (NetApps), ML toolboxes for intelligent networking, a VR simulation environment, and a visualization dashboard. They validated everything through 4 dedicated showcases in transport, manufacturing, healthcare, and emergency response.

Audience

Who needs this

Warehouse and logistics operators deploying fleets of autonomous mobile robotsHospitals and healthcare facilities using service robots for delivery or patient assistanceFactory operators running collaborative robots or automated inspection systemsEmergency response agencies using robots for search and rescue or hazard assessment5G network operators looking to offer vertical-specific robot connectivity services

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Logistics & Warehouse Automation

mid-size

Target: Warehouse operators and logistics companies deploying autonomous mobile robots

If you are a logistics company struggling with robots that lose connection or slow down in large warehouses — this project developed 5G middleware and cloud-native network applications that let robots offload heavy processing to the cloud over 5G. The system was showcased in transport settings with 13 partners across 7 countries validating the approach. Your robots could navigate more reliably with less onboard hardware cost.

Healthcare & Hospital Operations

enterprise

Target: Hospital networks and medical device companies using service robots

If you are a hospital deploying robots for deliveries or patient assistance but facing connectivity dead zones — this project built and tested 5G-enhanced robot autonomy specifically for healthcare environments. The consortium delivered a dedicated healthcare showcase proving robots can maintain reliable autonomous operation over 5G. This means fewer interruptions and safer robotic assistance on hospital floors.

Manufacturing & Industry 4.0

mid-size

Target: Factory operators using collaborative robots and automated guided vehicles

If you are a manufacturer running autonomous robots on the factory floor and hitting bandwidth or latency limits with current networks — 5G-ERA delivered a manufacturing showcase demonstrating how 5G connectivity lets robots handle complex tasks like quality inspection using cloud-based AI. The middleware was built with standard ROS APIs so it integrates with existing robot setups without a full rewrite.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt this technology?

The project received EUR 4,725,393 in EU funding and produced open-source middleware and NetApps. Adoption costs would depend on your 5G infrastructure and robot fleet size, but the cloud-native design means you avoid heavy upfront hardware investment. Contact the coordinator for licensing and integration pricing.

Can this work at industrial scale in a real factory or hospital?

Yes — the consortium ran dedicated showcases in 4 vertical sectors: manufacturing, transport, healthcare, and public protection/disaster relief. With 13 partners including 8 SMEs and 85% industry participation, the technology was validated in near-real-world conditions, not just lab settings.

Who owns the IP and can I license it?

The coordinator is Robotnik Automation SL, a Spanish robotics SME. The middleware builds on open-source components (ROS, Open Source MANO). Specific IP arrangements would need to be discussed with the consortium. Based on available project data, the open-source foundations suggest favorable licensing conditions.

Does this work with our existing robots and network setup?

The system was designed around standard APIs under Robot Operating System (ROS), which is the most widely used robot software platform. It also integrates with Open Source MANO for network orchestration. This standards-based approach means it should connect with most modern ROS-compatible robots.

How long would it take to deploy?

The project ran from January 2021 to June 2024, delivering both initial and final versions of the middleware. Since both versions are complete and showcases are done, the technology is past the R&D phase. Integration timeline would depend on your existing 5G coverage and robot fleet, but pilot deployment could be relatively fast given the ready middleware.

Is this compliant with EU regulations on robotics and connectivity?

The project was built on EU-standardised 5G testing facilities and followed the European approach to network function virtualisation. Based on available project data, it aligns with EU digital infrastructure standards. Specific sector regulations (medical devices, industrial safety) would need separate compliance verification.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a heavily industry-driven consortium: 11 out of 13 partners are industry players, with 8 of them being SMEs — that's an 85% industry ratio, which is unusually high even for Innovation Actions. The coordinator, Robotnik Automation SL from Spain, is itself an SME that builds commercial robots, signaling that this project was steered by companies with skin in the game, not just academic labs. The 7-country spread (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, UK) gives broad European market coverage. Only 2 universities are involved, strictly in supporting roles. For a potential business partner, this means the technology was designed with commercial viability in mind from day one.

ROBOTNIK AUTOMATION SLCoordinator · ES
WINGS ICT SOLUTIONS TECHNOLOGIES PLIROFORIKIS KAI EPIKOINONION ANONYMI ETAIREIAparticipant · EL
CAL-TEK SRLparticipant · IT
VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V BRNEparticipant · CZ
ORGANISMOS TILEPIKOINONION TIS ELLADOS OTE AEparticipant · EL
EBOS TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDparticipant · CY
NEC LABORATORIES EUROPE GMBHparticipant · DE
IQUADRAT INFORMATICA SLparticipant · ES
UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIREparticipant · UK
TWI LIMITEDparticipant · UK

How to reach the team

Robotnik Automation SL (Spain) — a commercial robotics SME. SciTransfer can facilitate a direct introduction to the technical team.

Order a report on this consortium See ROBOTNIK AUTOMATION SL profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how 5G-ERA's middleware could enhance your robot fleet? SciTransfer can arrange a briefing with the development team and help evaluate fit for your specific use case.

Order a report on this topic More in Digital & ICT