Amazon Web Services updates its AWS DeepRacer program with new sensing capabilities and training algorithms

Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced on Wednesday that it is upgrading its DeepRacer program by adding more chances to compete at AWS events & at own events, more chances to win, with new races including head-to-head multi-car competitions, and an upgraded DeepRacer car with new sensing capabilities.

AWS DeepRacer is an autonomous 1/18th scale race car designed to test RL models by racing on a physical track. Using cameras to view the track and a reinforcement model to control throttle and steering, the car shows how a model trained in a simulated environment can be transferred to the real-world.

AWS DeepRacer Evo is the next generation in autonomous racing. Take your car to the tracks and master brand new AWS DeepRacer challenges including racing head to head against other cars in the 2020 season of the AWS DeepRacer League. AWS DeepRacer Evo comes with dual stereo cameras, allowing the car to detect objects on the track, and LIDAR (light detection and ranging) helping to determine when to overtake another car and beat it to the finish line.

AWS DeepRacer offers hands-on experience with Reinforcement Learning (RL). Following launch of the AWS DeepRacer car and the AWS DeepRacer League, users could have the opportunity to get experience and new skills in a fun, competitive environment. In less than a year, tens of thousands of developers have participated in hands-on and virtual races located globally. 

The upcoming AWS DeepRacer Evo car will include a stereo camera and a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor. The added sensors will enable DeepRacer Evo to skillfully detect and respond to obstacles, including other DeepRacers. This will help users learn more about the field of reinforcement learning, which is ideal for use in autonomous driving.

The new sensors will be available soon in virtual form for use in the new My Garage section of the DeepRacer Console. AWS will release more details on production plans for AWS DeepRacer Evo, including a sensor upgrade kit for existing DeepRacer car, early next year.

AWS is also expanding the DeepRacer League in 2020. The company is adding eight additional races across five countries as part of an expanded AWS Summit presence, and 18 additional virtual races. There will also be a track (and a race) at re:MARS 2020. As a result, customers have the opportunity to participate in 30 events and join for an in-person AWS DeepRacer League Summit race, along with 24 Virtual Circuit races from anywhere in the world.

In addition to the existing time trial race, AWS is adding two new race types to give some new RL challenges, and the opportunity to experiment with different sensors. The object detection and avoidance features uses the sensors to detect and (hopefully) avoid obstacles, and the head-to-head racing against another DeepRacer that is on the same track. 

Samsung delivers multi-vendor interoperability of cloud-native 5G standalone core with HPE and Openet

Samsung Electronics, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Openet announced integration of a cloud-native 5G standalone (SA) Core with multivendor interoperability. This represents an important milestone and demonstrates significant progress in the journey toward 5G SA, driven by the 5G SA Core collaboration among Samsung, HPE and Openet, announced in February 2019.

Samsung’s 5G SA Core brings together cloud-native 5G network functions from the three companies to deliver end-to-end 5G SA services. For this multi-vendor interoperability test, Samsung has integrated its control, user plane network function & orchestrator with HPE’s shared data environment and Network Functions (NF), and Openet’s policy and charging solutions. 

The 5G Core also provides multiple simultaneous network slices for a variety of services, such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) that validate the principles of cloud-native design, virtual network scaling and edge-to-core networks.

“By offering a complete 5G Core that is designed around an open service-based architecture, operators can break out of the single vendor lock-in of previous generation networks,” said Domenico Convertino, Vice President Product Management, Communications & Media Solutions, HPE. “The open architecture also allows operators to have a smooth evolution to 5G with proven co-existence with 4G network technologies.”

“Openness and interoperability are foundations for 5G systems. This demonstration shows the power of taking a multi-vendor partnership approach to providing 5G SA Core and how it can enable network slicing with dynamic policy and charging rules,” said Joe Hogan, CTO and Founder of Openet. “Being able to manage the quality of service for 5G network slicing will allow operators to enter into many new markets with innovative offers and open up new revenue streams.”

With this multi-vendor solution, Samsung’s 5G SA Core enables operators to select innovative network functions offered by numerous IT vendors. Through this approach, combined with the ability to offer advanced telecommunication technologies such as networks slicing and URLLC, the three companies are continuing their efforts in 5G collaboration to bring new opportunities and options to mobile operators.

Earlier this year, mobile operators in Korea and the United States have helped to successfully usher in the 5G era with the launch of commercial service using Samsung Network’s end-to-end 5G solutions, accelerating 5G deployments around the world. 

The 5G SA Core will help operators offer innovative 5G SA services, such as network slicing, mobile edge computing, AI analytics and ultra-low latency (URLLC) networks. The solution will play a significant role in driving new business opportunities for mobile operators as the industry is focusing on the next generation services spanning autonomous driving, smart factory, smart farm, and AR/VR.

“5G SA Core built on open architecture is a key driver of the innovative services that 5G promises, and it will help mobile operators create new revenue streams and business opportunities,” said Wonil Roh, vice president and head of product strategy, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is excited to continue building out a robust and open 5G ecosystem with global partners like HPE and Openet.  We look forward to extending our 5G technical leadership around the globe by widening our end-to-end 5G solution portfolio.”

The 5G SA Core solution from Samsung can be demonstrated either remotely, or on-site at Samsung’s 5G Core Open Lab located in Korea. The lab offers interoperability tests among multiple vendors and shows the robust features of 5G core solutions, while integrating cloud platforms from partners into Samsung’s functions.