Telstra, John Holland trial 5G-enabled robotic dog to improve safety in underground construction

Telstra and John Holland have completed a successful trial of a 5G-enabled robotic dog designed to improve worker safety in high-risk environments such as tunnels and underground rail stations.

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Developed by Telstra Enterprise’s innovation hub, muru-D, together with technology partner Ericom, the proof-of-concept project demonstrated how robotics, IoT, cloud integration and 5G connectivity can reduce human exposure to hazardous conditions.

Named Astro, the robot dog autonomously navigates confined and hard-to-reach spaces, capturing environmental data in real time and transmitting it to nearby crews. Equipped with video, radar and a suite of sensors designed by Ericom, Astro can detect gases, monitor air quality and deliver continuous IoT-enabled data, even in low-connectivity underground areas.

The trial took place on the Metro Tunnel Project in Melbourne, where Astro successfully gathered and sent environmental readings before workers entered confined areas. John Holland managing director, rail and transport, Steve Butcher, says the technology aligns with the company’s focus on improving on-site safety. “This trial demonstrates how technology can help keep our people out of harm’s way while still giving us the insights we need to deliver major projects more safely and efficiently,” he says.

John Holland is exploring commercial and operational models for potential rollout across future infrastructure projects, while Telstra is assessing opportunities to apply 5G network slicing for dedicated, high-performance connectivity in use cases such as construction monitoring and transport safety systems.

Image supplied by Telstra.

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