If you were unable to attend the last edition of the Mobile World Congress, you can now find out about the main trends at this important technology fair thanks to one of the latest sessions at Sabadell Companies Hub. The business training forum of Banco Sabadell devoted an entire talk to the five main trends that could be seen at the conference. Some are realities that are already in operation in some countries (such as trucks that are driven by their drivers from home). Others could be operational in the medium term. Such as a “bullet train” that could connect Madrid and Barcelona in just thirty minutes. One of the big players was the revolution that the advent of artificial intelligence is bringing to businesses and individuals. A reality that is now within everyone’s reach.

This Sabadell Companies Hub conference was given by Iván Majadas (manager of innovation and digital business at Roca Saltatella) and can be viewed in full here. As he explained during the session, the five main trends that marked this edition of the MWC were these:

Image of the Sabadell Companies Hub webinar
  • The acceleration of 5G technologies. Although it is not among the most “eye-catching” new products at Mobile, it is the technological platform that makes the rest of the new products showcased at the fair possible. As a practical application of this new technology, the experience launched by the 5GCAT project, (https://pilot5gcat.com/), which is already implementing a number of pilot tests in areas such as Industry, Education, Security and Urban Traffic in order to continue advancing in the digitalisation of society. Attached is one of the videos that you can watch on the project’s website, where you can find much more information.

  • Augmented Reality. There are many varieties of such technologies. From virtual reality glasses to immersive rooms. The most outstanding initiatives in this field are those already launched in some countries in the field of logistics and transport. In Sweden, there are already truck models that are driven by drivers from home. Among other benefits, they are expected to be instrumental in alleviating the shortage of transport professionals that is already a growing problem for the logistics industry. Technologies were also showcased that allow a doctor to examine (and “palpate”) a patient remotely by means of a “three-dimensional scanner”. Or start-ups such as broomxtechnologies which have created three-dimensional projectors that can be installed in any room and that allow, for example, patients with reduced mobility to enjoy experiences such as hiking in the mountains.

  • Artificial Intelligence. Over the last few months, there has been much talk of ChatGPT but Artificial Intelligence systems go much further. It is estimated that 40% of companies will need to start investing in them this year. AI systems that recognise images, read text and understand spoken language are already in operation. The substantial reduction in the costs involved in programming one of these systems has made it possible for many companies to have their own customised AI system a real possibility. As a real case of application we can highlight the XRAI GLASS glasses that are able to understand what a person is saying to us and present, through the glasses, the transcription of the conversation. This is a very useful resource for people with hearing difficulties. The system can also automatically translate what is being said to us into our own language, even if our interlocutor is speaking a different language, which can be very interesting when travelling abroad.

  • Digital Assetts. This year, this type of technology has been less visible, possibly due to the crisis in the field of cryptocurrencies. However, new trends are already beginning to emerge, such as investment in unique, non-replicable digital art. As an existing case study, one could highlight the virtual art gallery Moool

  • Industry 4.0 On a more strictly industrial level he highlighted the Digital Twins. It is a technology that allows industry to experience, through virtual models, how industrial machinery parts will perform in the physical or real world. This can greatly reduce costs when prototyping new equipment.

OTHER TRENDS

Although they cannot be included in any of the five aforementioned trends, among the other developments showcased at the last MWC, the following also stand out:

  • HYPERLOOP BULLET TRAIN. It is planned to reach speeds of up to 1,200 km/h inside a tunnel, and could link Barcelona and Madrid in half an hour. It is estimated that it could be in operation by 2030.
  • HUMAN MOTION EXOSKELETON. This new exoskeleton model enables people with reduced mobility to walk. It differs from other existing exoskeletons in that it can be put on and taken off in much less time.
  • UPC ROBOT CARERS. Labora Project. In 5 to 10 years they could be fully operational to care for the elderly or sick.
  • XIAOMI HUMAN AND DOG-SHAPED ROBOT. The dog robot is already being used to perform safety tasks in some factories and has many other applications. The human robot currently has a manufacturing cost of €100,000, but when it is brought down, its real-world possibilities will be vast.
  • VIDEO GAME STAR RUCKUS, by EMOTIV which can detect ADHD problems in children from 6 to 12 years old.