Realizing the Tactile Internet: Haptic Communications over Next Generation 5G Cellular Networks

Prior Internet designs encompassed the fixed, mobile, and lately the "things" Internet. In a natural evolution to these, the notion of the Tactile Internet is emerging, which allows one to transmit touch and actuation in real-time. With voice and data communications driving the designs of the current Internets, the Tactile Internet will enable haptic communications, which in turn will be a paradigm shift in how skills and labor are digitally delivered globally. Design efforts for both the Tactile Internet and the underlying haptic communications are in its infancy. The aim of this article is thus to review some of the most stringent design challenges, as well as propose first avenues for specific solutions to enable the Tactile Internet revolution.