5G networks let construction workers in Germany clear building sites in South Korea
As network speeds increase, and latency falls, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities for the future of remote working.
Key takeaways
- Furthermore, the use of 5G means that the control of the remote machinery is no longer hampered by communication lags that were the bane of previous attempts to use TeleOperation to control machinery.
- Doosan says the system can be used to carry out work on sites that are contaminated by toxic or radioactive substances, as well as offering remote training for operators.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2019) '5G networks let construction workers in Germany clear building sites in South Korea', 311 Institute, 25 June. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/5g-networks-let-construction-workers-in-germany-clear-building-sites-in-south-korea/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Recently there have been a flurry of developments in the construction industry that are revolutionising how we build our cities and communities, from the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms that can design cities so humans don’t have to, through to the emergence of autonomous drones that will act as site foremen controlling and directing fleets of autonomous construction vehicles and even autonomous cranes, as well as autonomous 3D printing robot swarms as they print everything from 80 storey skyscrapers, family homes, military barracks, and entire communities in just days. However, while the arrival of fully automated construction sites is probably inevitable, new communications networks like 5G are also helping revolutionise the industry in new ways after South Korean conglomerate Doosan Corporation announced they’ve become the world’s first company to use a state of the art 5G network to operate an excavator in South Korea when the operator was sitting in a seat more than 8,500km away in Germany.
The demonstration was carried out at Doosan’s stand at the Bauma construction machinery trade fair in Munich where staff used 3D machine guidance, real time diagnostics and a full gauge display to operate a 40-tonne DX380LC crawler excavator located eight time zones away in Incheon.
Learn more about the tech
The concept, which is called Telepresence, uses a 5G system set up by LG, which it says the new network is 10 times faster than its existing 4G networks, and the successful result means that teleoperations operators now no longer have to be based in the country where the equipment is based. Furthermore, the use of 5G means that the control of the remote machinery is no longer hampered by communication lags that were the bane of previous attempts to use TeleOperation to control machinery.
Doosan says the system can be used to carry out work on sites that are contaminated by toxic or radioactive substances, as well as offering remote training for operators.
The company comments: “It is also useful for work on collapsing waste piles and in areas where there are buried mines and other munitions. Safety can be further increased via the zoning and area limitation functions available through the Doosan TeleOperation system.”
What this means for your organisation
Operators no longer need to travel.
Skilled operators can now work machines in another country. That widens the talent pool and cuts travel. Firms should plan for operation hubs that serve many sites.
Dangerous sites become safer.
Remote control keeps people away from toxic ground, waste piles and buried mines. Safety leaders should identify which tasks carry the most risk to people. Those are the first candidates for remote work.
Remote today, autonomous tomorrow.
Telepresence is a step toward drones and autonomous vehicles running sites. Network reliability and cyber security become critical. Leaders should test network performance and set rules for when humans take over.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our site tasks could be run remotely today?
- Is our network coverage good enough for remote machinery?
- How will we train and certify remote operators?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
As network speeds increase, and latency falls, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities for the future of remote working.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Doosan Corporation doosan.com
- 2019 28 03 doosan to use 5g doosanequipment.eu
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 25 June 2019. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2019). 5G networks let construction workers in Germany clear building sites in South Korea. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/5g-networks-let-construction-workers-in-germany-clear-building-sites-in-south-korea/
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