Qualcomm Technologies has announced the Qualcomm® Robotics RB5 platform – the Company’s most advanced, integrated, comprehensive offering designed specifically for robotics. Building on the successful Qualcomm® Robotics RB3 platform and its broad adoption in a wide array of robotics and drone products available today, the Qualcomm® Robotics RB5 platform consists of an extensive set of hardware, software and development tools. The Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform is the first of its kind to bring together the Company’s deep expertise in 5G and AI to empower developers and manufacturers to create the next generation of high-compute, low-power robots and drones for the consumer, enterprise, defense, industrial and professional service sectors – and the comprehensive Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Development Kit helps ensure developers have the customization and flexibility they need to make their visions a commercial reality.
The platform’s Qualcomm QRB5165 processor, customized for robotics applications, offers a powerful heterogeneous computing architecture coupled with the leading fifth-generation Qualcomm® AI Engine delivering 15 Tera Operations Per Second (TOPS) of AI performance for running complex AI and deep learning workloads. The processor also offers incredible machine learning (ML) inferencing at the edge under restricted power budgets using the new Qualcomm® Hexagon™ Tensor Accelerator (HTA), a powerful image signal processor (ISP) with support for seven concurrent cameras, and a dedicated computer vision engine for enhanced video analytics (EVA). With support for 4G and 5G connectivity speeds via a companion module, the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform helps pave the way for the proliferation of 5G in robotics and intelligent systems.
With the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform and the Qualcomm QRB5165 processor, the Company enables various design offerings including off-the-shelf system-on-module solutions and flexible chip-on-board designs. The solution is available in multiple options, including commercial and industrial-grade temperature ranges and an option for extended lifecycle until 2029.
Qualcomm Technologies is the world’s leading wireless technology innovator with a strong foundation in AI, mobile computing, and connectivity. By applying its deep-rooted mobile systems expertise to the robotics industry, Qualcomm Technologies is helping to enable the creation of more powerful, secure, and intelligent robots than ever before. With the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform, Qualcomm Technologies will help accelerate growth in a wide array of robotics segments such as autonomous mobile robots (AMR), delivery, inspection, inventory, industrial, collaborative robots and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), enabling Industry 4.0 robotics use cases, and laying the foundation for the UAV Traffic Management (UTM) space.
To enable the next generation of robotics solutions and designs, Qualcomm Technologies has entered into a strategic collaboration with TDK to further enhance the capabilities of the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform. TDK has added its latest state of the art sensor technologies for enhanced robotics applications as part of the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform and they have been instrumental in providing world-class sensor solutions and motor control hardware.
The Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Development Kit is comprehensive, customizable, and easy-to-use. Developers have flexible software capabilities, with the platform offering support for Linux, Ubuntu, and Robot Operating System (ROS) 2.0, as well as pre-integrated drivers for various cameras, sensors, and 5G connectivity. It also provides support for OpenCL, OpenGLES, and OpenCV. Additionally, the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Development Kit includes support for the Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D435i and Panasonic TOF Camera to provide leading depth-sensing capabilities.
Their strategic collaboration with TDK has been integral in enabling our Qualcomm RB5 Robotics Development Kit with TDK’s 6-axis, high-performance ICM-42688-P IMU, accompanied by an ICP-10111 barometric pressure and a T5818 Digital (PDM) bottom port microphone. TDK also enables the development kit with their ultrasonic Time-Of-Flight CH101 and CH201 solutions, in addition to their embedded motor control (HVC4223F) and high-performance IMU with built-in redundancy (IIM-46220).
Additional technologies by TDK include Hall effect and temperature sensors and validated and verified software algorithms dedicated to robotic applications. Finally, the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Development Kit utilizes 96Boards Consumer Edition Specification which helps offer versatility for creating innovative proof-of-concept and rapid prototyping.
Key Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Platform Technical Features Include:
- Powerful Heterogeneous Computing Capabilities: For high power computing performance, the Qualcomm QRB5165 processor of Qualcomm RB5 Platform integrates Octa-Core Qualcomm Kryo™ 585 CPU, powerful Qualcomm Adreno™ 650 GPU, multiple DSPs (compute, audio and sensor) and ISPs. It also contains a dedicated, powerful AI engine, which includes the Hexagon Tensor Accelerator, and dedicated computer vision hardware block (EnhancedVideo Analytics engine).
- 5th Generation Qualcomm AI Engine: New dedicated Hexagon Tensor Accelerator is based on the leading fifth-generation Qualcomm Artificial Intelligence Engine, delivering a whopping 15 TOPS of AI performance with high AI and ML inferencing.
- Advanced Imaging Capability: Qualcomm Spectra™ 480 Image Signal Processor (ISP) captures fast, professional-quality photos and videos, and can process 2 Gigapixels per second. This Gigapixel speed supports superior camera features, including Dolby Vision video capture, 8K video recording (at 30 FPS), and 200-megapixel photos, and simultaneously captures 4K HDR video (at 120 FPS) and 64 MP photos with zero shutter lag. The hardware accelerator utilizes the Engine for Video Analytics (EVA) to handle all Computer Vision (CV) tasks. Additional ISP features include HEIF photo capture, slow motion video capture, and advanced video capture formats (including Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HEVC, and HLG). Seven concurrent cameras facilitate simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), object detection and classification, autonomous navigation, and path planning to efficiently and safely perform tasks in complex indoor and outdoor settings.
- Security Support: The Qualcomm® Secure Processing Unit is designed to offer robust security without compromising power. The Qualcomm Secure Processing Unit includes secure boot, cryptographic accelerators, Qualcomm® Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), and camera security and is FIPS 140-2 certified. Additional security features include key provisioning security, malware protection, Qualcomm® Content Protection, Qualcomm® Mobile Security, Qualcomm® Processor Security, and secure token to support remote attestation and secure device provisioning. For advanced AI and ML security, the platform supports Biometric Authentication (including fingerprint, iris, voice, and face).
- Connectivity: The Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform supports long-range Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.1, and 4G and 5G, providing the highest level of connectivity available.
Below are a few customer testimonials for Qualcomm’s Robotic technology solutions:
- 96 Boards: Qualcomm Robotics RB5 featuring QRB5165 Robotics Processor, is the first 96Boards compliant platform offering 5G, AI, Heterogeneous Computing, Computer Vision Engine, Advanced ISP Multi-Camera Concurrency for a large range of applications. They are very excited to support the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform as the latest addition to the 96Boards.AI initiative.
- Acontis: EtherCAT is a simple, robust, affordable, ethernet-based industrial protocol with integrated safety that delivers exceptional performance in flexible topologies making it ideal for industrial robotics applications. They are delighted to see Qualcomm Technologies recognize the importance of EtherCAT for robotics applications and making it available as part of the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 Platform.
- ADLINK Technology: ADLINK is very pleased to support the launch of the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform. As a global leader in edge computing, ADLINK is committed to serving their customers across industries with cutting-edge technologies in AI, machine vision, and Industrial IoT. They are excited to be one of the early adopters to embark on a series of new developments based on the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform.
- Amazon Web Services: Their collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies is designed to give robotics developers a complete cloud to edge solution, accelerating development, providing intelligence out of the box, and easing robotic lifecycle management.
- AutoCore: AutoCore is pleased to announce its support of the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform product launch. They specialize in functional safety real-time middleware and heterogeneous computing platform design.
- Autoware Foundation: Autoware Foundation is a non-profit organization founded to develop, support, and promote autonomous system technology. Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform fits very well with the Autoware heterogeneous computing platform strategy.
- Brain Corp: Global events have brought the value of automation and robotics sharply into focus, so it’s exciting to see Qualcomm Technologies address such a broad array of robotics categories and applications with its enhanced platform, which powers the world’s largest fleet of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) operating in indoor public spaces through its BrainOS software technology. Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform will provide a big innovation boost to the industry at large while enhancing San Diego’s reputation as a global hub for AI and robotics.
- Dronecode: The new Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform is a game-changer for drone and autonomous robotics, as its machine learning accelerators will allow adopters to replace manual inputs with AI.
- FLIR: They believe the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform will offer a critical advantage for their next-generation unmanned systems.
- LG Electronics: LG is evaluating the Qualcomm Robotics RB3/RB5 Platform, and plans to introduce next-generation robotic products based on the platform next year.
- Meituan Dianping: Meituan is expecting to cooperate with Qualcomm Technologies in the future to explore the cutting-edge use cases in the industry by implementing the capabilities of Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform in the areas including computing, AI, security and connectivity to deliver innovative services to their customers.
- ModalAI: They look forward to working with Qualcomm Technologies and integrating the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform to build off of the existing work with the Defense Innovation Unit to expand the capabilities of their sUAS platforms.
- NXT Robotics Corp: The platform integrates key capabilities such as high-performance heterogeneous computing, 5G/LTE, the Qualcomm AI Engine for on-device inferencing and computer vision, hi-fidelity sensor processing for perception, odometry for localization, mapping, navigation, strong security, and Wi-Fi connectivity, all required for NXT Robotics’ two autonomous AI-driven security patrol and public safety vehicles called Maverick and Scorpion.
- Open Robotics: Open Robotics is excited to see the release of the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform, which will help to spur yet more innovation in robotics across a variety of application domains.
- OrionStar: The newly launched Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform will bring the industry with technology offerings including improved power-efficiency, heterogeneous computing, AI, machine learning, and 5G capabilities. OrionStar is looking forward to expanding their collaborations to the new Qualcomm Robotic RB5 platform to deliver the unparalleled robotic products and extreme interactive experiences.
- Siasun: They are glad to become one of the first in the industry to adopt the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform. Siasun works closely with Qualcomm Technologies, with the powerful computing capability of up to 15 TOPS based on the 5th generation Qualcomm AI Engine and other advanced features, Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform will give Siasun Pongbot ping-pong robot system more possibilities including light-weight mobility, remote real-time interaction of multiple devices, real-time AI computing, and feedback on the cloud.
- Skydio: They are excited about the promise that the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform holds for the Small Unmanned Air Vehicle (sUAV) industry. The cutting edge 4G/LTE, 5G, heterogeneous compute, AI, camera, and security technologies integrated into the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform will enable us to create the next generation autonomous drones.
- SoftBank: SoftBank Robotics has been working in deep cooperation with Qualcomm Technologies. Their R&D will leverage the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform, using its power-efficient and high-end wireless connectivity features to empower our robotics roadmap.
- Thundercomm: Together with Qualcomm Technologies, they have empowered our customers to design and manufacture intelligent robots in different industries. Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform, as an advanced 5G and AI-based robotics platform, meets the high demand for industry transformation and promotes industrial upgrading. They are excited to cooperate with Qualcomm Technologies to create a wide array of robotics products for the next generation.
To date, Qualcomm Technologies has engaged many leading companies that have endorsed the Qualcomm Robotics RB5 platform, including 20+ early adopters in the process of evaluating the platform.
Click here to read more about the Qualcomm RB5 Platform.
