Insider Brief
- NTT Docomo and Keio University demonstrated high-precision remote robot operation over commercial 5G by combining low-latency “Configured Grant” network slicing with Real Haptics tactile feedback technology.
- Docomo said the trial reduced latency and jitter between terminal and base station, meeting requirements for practical teleoperation while maintaining stable force feedback even under network congestion.
- The companies said the demonstration advances the commercial viability of remote robotic control over public 5G infrastructure and will be showcased at MWC Barcelona 2026.
NTT Docomo and Keio University’s Haptics Research Center said they have demonstrated high-precision remote robot operation over a commercial 5G network, combining low-latency network slicing with advanced tactile feedback technology.
According to Docomo, the test marks the first demonstration of “Configured Grant” scheduling enabling practical robot teleoperation over commercial 5G. The technology pre-allocates radio resources between device and base station to reduce latency and jitter — two factors that can disrupt synchronization between an operator and a remote robot.
The demonstration integrated Docomo’s low-latency wireless configuration with Keio’s Real Haptics system, which transmits bidirectional force and tactile data so that operators can feel resistance and contact as a robot interacts with physical objects. Docomo said the trial met latency requirements for practical teleoperation while improving force reproducibility and operational stability, even under network congestion.
Precise robot teleoperation depends on stable data transmission, the company pointed out. Fluctuating or excessive latency can distort force feedback, limiting delicate manipulation tasks. By reducing wireless segment delays, Docomo said they were able to maintain consistent tactile transmission suitable for real-world robotic applications.
Docomo and Keio have previously collaborated on Real Haptics testing over mobile networks, Docomo noted. The latest demonstration represents a step toward broader commercial viability of remote robotic control over public 5G infrastructure.
The system will be showcased at the NTT Group booth during MWC Barcelona 2026.
