**Abstract**

The latest cellular technology, known as 5G, is anticipated to significantly improve the way systems in the physical and social environment (PSE) interact with technology. 5G technologies allow for the creation of a wide range of novel automation and applications. Recently, the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual and augmented reality (VAR), telemedicine, and autonomous vehicles have increased the growth of applications in the PSEs and can further benefit from 5G's fast data transfer speeds (ranging from 1 to 10 Gbps) and low latency. The introduction of 5G may cause a paradigm shift in the operations of some industries, offer new economic opportunities, and impact our daily lives and relationships with the PSE. In this chapter, we examine how 5G revolutionize transport, the environment, and health. The chapter focuses on recent technologies related to virtual and augmented reality, autonomous vehicles, telemedicine, and edge computing among others.

**Keywords:** 5G, Internet of things, virtual reality, augmented reality, wireless sensor networks (WSNs), autonomous vehicles, edge computing, environment

#### **1. Introduction**

Technological advances in communication have seen a new wave of the fifth generation (5G) networks. 5G networks are predicted to significantly impact areas of health, virtual and augmented reality, transportation, the environment, and edge computing. The healthcare sector is anticipated to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of 5G technology. Healthcare professionals will be able to offer telemedicine and virtual consultations to patients in remote locations with the advent of 5G networks. As a result, patients will not have to travel far to obtain medical attention. Advanced medical gadgets that need fast data transfer rates and low latency will also be able to be used thanks to 5G technology. Healthcare professionals will be able to diagnose and treat patients as a result [1]. Virtual and augmented reality is another area where 5G

technology is anticipated to have a big influence. Users will be able to enjoy realistic, high-quality virtual and augmented reality experiences as a result of 5G networks. Virtual and augmented reality will make it possible for people to interact with virtual worlds in real-time, which will have a big influence on a lot of different businesses, like gaming, education, and entertainment. Edge computing, which will assist to lower latency and increasing the overall performance of virtual and augmented reality apps, will also be made possible by 5G technology [2]. 5G technology is also anticipated to have a big influence is transportation. The rollout of 5G networks will make it feasible to give drivers real-time traffic updates, which will lessen congestion and increase road safety. The usage of autonomous cars will also be made possible by 5G technology, which will have a big influence on the transportation sector. The ability of autonomous cars to interact with one another and the infrastructure will assist to improve traffic flow and lower accident rates [1]. 5G technology is anticipated to make a big difference in edge computing. 5G technology offers low latency and high data transfer rates to edge devices with the rollout of 5G networks. This will make it possible to employ cutting-edge edge computing applications, including real-time video analytics, which will have a big influence on a lot of different industries, including manufacturing, shipping, and retail. Local caching will also be possible thanks to 5G technology, which will lessen network traffic and enhance the performance of edge computing apps as a whole [3]. Although 5G technology may have advantages, there are worries about how it could affect people's health. According to research, electromagnetic radiation from 5G networks may cause cancer and reproductive issues, among other harmful health impacts [4]. The World Health Organization (WHO) has argued that there is no evidence to support a link between electromagnetic radiation exposure from 5G networks and adverse health effects in people [1]. Concerns about the possible effects of new technology on different facets of our life arise along with it. This chapter will look at the current studies on how 5G technology will affect things like edge computing, health, virtual and augmented reality, transportation, and the environment. We may better comprehend the opportunities and difficulties that lie ahead as we progress toward a more connected and technologically evolved society by looking at the possible advantages and hazards of 5G in each of these categories. This chapter offers a thorough assessment of the state of research on the effects of 5G on these important domains, as well as highlighting knowledge gaps and recommending topics for further investigation. Ultimately, this chapter will contribute to a more nuanced and knowledgeable conversation about the possible effects of 5G technology, and it will help direct academics, politicians, and the general public toward a more responsible and sustainable use of this formidable new technology.

The remaining parts of the chapter are divided into 10 sections. Section 2 discusses the methodology. In Section 3, recent related works in 5G technology are discussed. In Section 4, we present a discussion on wireless mobile technologies. Section 5 presents an overview of 5G technologies. Section 6 discusses 5G in virtual and augmented reality and Section 7 discusses 5G and transportation (autonomous vehicles). In Section 8, 5G in healthcare (telemedicine) is presented. Sections 9 and 10 present 5G and the environment and edge computing, respectively, and Section 11 concludes the chapter.

### **2. Methodology**

The Prisma systematic review was used to conduct this research. At the identification stage of Prisma, a comprehensive literature review was conducted

#### *Perspective Chapter: 5G Enabling Technologies – Revolutionizing Transport, Environment... DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.111671*

using various academic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), ResearchGate, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The search terms used included "5G," "health," "transportation," "augmented reality," "virtual reality," "environment," and "edge computing." The search was limited to articles published in English from the year 2017 to 2023. Initially, a total of 120 articles were collected from the various academic databases for this chapter. Upon careful study and review, only 85 of the obtained literature or articles were relevant to the research topic. The literature review was conducted in three stages. The very first stage was the identification of articles or papers that highlighted the general overview of 5G and its architecture. The second stage involved the identification of articles that focused on the potential benefits of 5G to the health sector. Such articles included articles on smart healthcare, remote surgery, and telemedicine. The third stage focused on the potential impact of 5G technology on transportation, augmented and virtual reality, the environment, and edge computing. During the first stage, articles that talked about evolution of cellular networks, and introduction to 5G and 5G architecture were included. Papers that had no direct connection to any of the above were discarded. In the second stage, articles were screened based on their relevance to the topic of health benefits associated with 5G technology. Articles that did not provide original research or data were excluded. In the third stage, articles were screened based on their relevance to the topics of transportation, augmented and virtual reality, the environment, and edge computing. Articles that discussed the potential benefits and drawbacks of 5G technology in these areas were included. Also, Articles that focused on the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation and the potential health risks associated with exposure to such radiation were included. Moreover, articles that discussed the harmful effects of 5G on the environment were also included. Articles that focused solely on the technical aspects of 5G technology or did not provide original research or data were excluded (see **Figure 1**).

**Figure 1** illustrates a graphical representation of reviewed papers after going through the identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion stages of Prisma. The selected articles were then read extensively and various knowledge and findings together with our contributions were synthesized together in this chapter.

**Figure 1.** *Outcome of Prisma process.*

#### **3. Related works**

This literature review aims to explore the existing research on the impact of 5G technology on health, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), transportation, environment, and edge computing. Tiwari and Sharma [5] present components, architecture, and applications of 5G-enabled Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). Butcher et al. [6] seek to ascertain if patient-reported Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), together with or without other factors at baseline, predicts disability in people with kidney failure, aged 65 and older, after a year of follow-up. The aim of [7] is the development and clinical evaluation of a 5G usability test framework enabling preclinical diagnostics with mobile ultrasound using 5G network technology. Also, Nyberg et al. [8] present recent research from the European Union's expert groups, from a large collection of European and other international studies, and previous reviews of the effects of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) on humans and the environment. Balancing risks and rewards is the best strategy forward. Jain and Jain [9] researched the benefits, risks, and diligence of 5G technology for healthcare and its implications on human health. In their approach, the 5G network-connected technology project was split into two phases for proof-of-concept testing: the first phase initially focused on conducting examinations with portable ultrasound equipment at Hospital das Clnicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP), and the second phase concentrated on conducting remote examinations with medical professionals in other states of Brazil who will be working in isolated regions in other states with little access to healthcare. Their outcome suggested that excellent healthcare will be accessible to everyone at all times with 5G technology.

The contribution of de Oliveira [10] is to evaluate the connectivity and capacity of the 5G private network for transmitting a large volume of data remotely with higher speed and lower latency. Lin [11] reviewed the benefits of 5G technologies, which are implemented in healthcare and wearable devices. Some benefits discussed include the use of 5G in patient health monitoring, continuous monitoring of chronic diseases, management of preventing infectious diseases, robotic surgery, and 5G with the future of wearables. A national sample of 5087 Spaniards [12] examines the prevalence of 10 specific misperceptions over five separate science and health domains (climate change, 5G technology, genetically modified foods, vaccines, and homeopathy). Sehrai et al. [13] present the design and analysis of an antenna array for the high gain performance of future mm-wave 5G communication systems. Currently, there is little research exploring how fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians (FTSMPs) address their mental health on a routine basis. Using the theory of secondary trauma stress to help navigate this study, the purpose of this expressive, all-purpose qualitative study is to improve the understanding of FTSMPs' perceptions of their mental health and the kinds of strategies used to manage these issues [14]. An alternate viewpoint to address the demands of the 5G Public Network and the hybrid deployment of 5GS and Wi-Fi on the campus network is provided by DecentRAN, also known as the Decentralized Radio Access Network [15]. Asif Khan et al. [16] presented a comprehensive survey of recent developments in MEC-enabled video streaming bringing unprecedented improvement to enable novel use cases. von Ende et al. [17] described the present and potential future applications of radiogenomics, augmented and virtual reality, and artificial intelligence in interventional radiology, along with the issues and constraints that need to be resolved before these applications can be fully integrated into standard clinical practice.

Hazarika and Rahmati [18] discussed the inclusion of 5G technology in allowing a low-latency environment for AR and VR applications, as well as a thorough

#### *Perspective Chapter: 5G Enabling Technologies – Revolutionizing Transport, Environment... DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.111671*

examination and in-depth insight into different attractive options from the hardware and software viewpoints. Ali et al. [19] presented a state-of-the-art contribution to the characterization of the outdoor-to-indoor radio channel in the 3.5 GHz band, based on experimental data for commercial, deployed 5G networks, collected during a large-scale measurement campaign carried out in the city of Rome, Italy. In the case of fully grasping the principles of low-carbon tourism development and related policy protection, a suitable low-carbon tourism development model is found. Zhang [20] presented the evaluation of aggregate interference from 5G New Radio (NR) base stations located inside the victim satellites' footprints using Monte-Carlo analysis and calculation of signal-to-noise degradation and bit error rates of the fixed-satellite service (FSS) bent-pipe transponders for each scenario. Assimilating trailblazing technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), edge intelligence (EI), 5G, and blockchain into the autonomous vehicle (AV) architecture will unlock the potential of an efficient and sustainable transportation system. Jia et al. [21] propose the application of UAV Based on 5G communication technology, which overcomes the current bottleneck of UAV.

Pastukh et al. [22] provided a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art literature on the impact and implementation of the aforementioned technologies into AV architectures, along with the challenges faced by each of them. Biswas and Wang [23] proposed a novel framework named Pyramid that unleashes the potential of edge artificial intelligence (AI) by facilitating homogeneous and heterogeneous hierarchical machine learning (ML) inferences. For the ubiquitous Internet of electric power, the application framework of 5G communication technology in over-voltage fault edge computing is proposed, the distribution grid fault identification and response model based on edge computing is built, and He et al. [24] imagine 5G communication application scenarios.

Gao et al. [25] presented a 5G edge computing framework for enabling remote production functions for live holographic Teleportation applications. Qian et al. [26] focused on edge computing, which is one of the cores of beyond 5G, to utilize the virtualization resources (see **Table 1** for a summary of some related works).

Unlike the previous works discussed earlier, Nakazato et al. [27] presented real data for more than one proposed robot working in parallel on-site, exploring hardware processing capabilities and the local Wi-Fi network characteristics. Zhou et al. [28] presented a Secure and lAtency-aware dIgital twin assisted resource scheduliNg algoriThm (SAINT). To provide a high-performance implementation of Module-LWE applications for the edge computing paradigm [29] proposed a domain-specific processor based on a matrix extension of RISC-V architecture. To assure secure and reliable communication in 5G edge computing and D2D-enabled IoMT systems, Yang et al. [30] presented an intelligent trust cloud management method. Mahenge et al. [31] considered task offloading on small cell network (SCN) structures unique to 5G. Jamshidi et al. [32] presented the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a superefficient GSM triplexer for 5G-enabled IoT in sustainable smart grid edge computing and the metaverse.

### **4. Wireless mobile technologies**

Since the dawn of time, communication has been a vital element in the lives of humans. Like the very food we eat, the air we breathe, and the shelter we seek, communication is now a basic necessity for human survival and development.


#### **Table 1.**

*Summary of related works.*

Communication occurs locally or remotely among connecting nodes. Remote communication has contributed enormously to globalization and the advancement of modern technologies. Since the advent of mobile phones in 1983 to facilitate remote communications, the world has already witnessed the full power of four different wireless mobile technologies approximately 10 years apart.

The first-generation (1G) technology was designed for voice communication in the late 1980s. The network speed of 1G was limited to 2.4 kbps. The 1990s witnessed second-generation (2G) technologies, which allowed audio and video files to be shared. 2G technologies had a network speed limitation of 64 kbps, which was not the best but was revolutionary. In the 2000s, the emergence of third-generation (3G) technologies took the network speed to 2 Mbps, which made browsing at high speed possible. Following 3G was the revolutionary Fourth-generation (4G) with a network speed of 100 Mbps, which was developed in 2011.

4G technologies brought about super-high-speed browsing, making digital streaming, online gaming, and downloading and uploading video calling, faster and more convenient. With the rapid increase of mobile phones, the demand to share files at an even faster rate with little to no delay is high. Despite the performance of 4G, there was a need for a flexible network with a shared infrastructure, hence fifthgeneration (5G). With the new generation of mobile networking emerging, 5G will be a visionary innovation platform for the next 10 years and beyond due to its amazing speed of about 20Gbps. Most importantly, 5G will open up fresh opportunities and efficiencies that are not even imaginable with the networks in use presently [33]. **Table 2** presents a summary of the evaluation of cellular technologies from 1G to 5G technologies.

In comparison to 4G, 5G offers faster download and upload speeds, lower latency, with more dependable connections. The expected system latency for 5G is 2–5 ms.


**Table 2.** *Evaluation of technology generations from 1G to 5G.*

*Perspective Chapter: 5G Enabling Technologies – Revolutionizing Transport, Environment... DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.111671*

The current long-term evolution (LTE) network has a round-trip delay of roughly 15 ms, compared to dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), which has a latency of about 10 ms. Some of the options that can help in providing this latency include device-to-device (D2D), software-defined networks (SDNs), and cloud radio access networks (C-RAN) [33].

5G is the newest and fastest generation of cellular technology. 5G technology is the replacement for 4G LTE technology. The Internet of Things (IoTs), linked cars, smart homes, virtual and augmented reality, and other innovative use cases that were not viable with 4G are all supported by 5G technology. Many facets of our everyday life, including entertainment, communication, healthcare, and transportation, are anticipated to change as a result of 5G technology [34].
