Accelerating innovation and overcoming challenges to large-scale impact requires a collaborative approach across stakeholders. Entrepreneurs, technology companies, industry players and venture capitalists working together in real-world environments to develop, build, test and deploy solutions to drive digital transformation is a critical step in moving from the bleeding edge to the leading edge.
Our labs provide access to connectivity and compute technology facilitating collaboration in physical locations to innovate and solve real industry problems.
We launched our first two AG Field Labs in 2020 at working farms in Western Washington with partners and startups to experiment collaboratively and develop new technologies and solutions that can ultimately lead to commercially viable, scalable use cases.
The foundation of the field labs is a dynamic testing environment with dedicated access to a 5G-capable, CBRS LTE private network. Each site features an edge computing environment where developers can deploy essential application services for latency-sensitive and compute-intensive applications.
We have already seen numerous promising developments. Early applications include:
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In 2021, we launched the Enterprise Digital Growth Ecosystem (EDGE), a non-profit corporation seeking 501c(3) status, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce. The goal is to fuel statewide economic growth and maximize the potential of edge computing and 5G and accelerate digital transformation for priority industries including:
The ultimate mission of EDGE is to keep Washington State in the lead as an innovator and major player in business and technology, identifying and supporting a long-term strategy to accelerate statewide growth in key industries to become economic engines that strengthen communities and create jobs for the future.
Accessing a 5G and edge compute powered lab environment today is out of reach for most startups and industries, yet, is a crucial resource for product development and go to market. The EDGE exists to solve this challenge.
The EDGE Cluster is one of several funded by initial grants from the Department of Commerce for the first cohort of the state’s new “Innovation Cluster Accelerator.” EDGE and the other clusters will provide startups and others access to testing facilities, public sector investment, private sector expertise, resources and scale usually kept behind closed corporate or academic doors.
Washington State's Tacoma Tideflats covers more than 5,000 acres and is the base of port and terminal operations, industrial and manufacturing hubs and a critical marine ecosystem. It generates over 40,000 jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity. But ensuring its economic future requires bold innovation and investment. The first step is development of a private 5G network.
Currently, less than 10 ports around the world operate such a network. It would enable a vast array of cutting-edge new technological use cases such as dramatically improved cargo and supply chain management to advanced manufacturing.
Washington Maritime Blue , The 5G Open Innovation Lab, and dozens of other key stakeholders are partnering to accelerate current and future technology innovation across the Tacoma Tideflats and establish global leadership in the maritime industry.
Check back regularly for updates and more information on this exciting opportunity.