Paving the Path to 6G
The development of 6G technology is more than just an extension of the 5G network. It represents a bold leap into an interconnected future where the boundaries of the physical and digital worlds blur.
As the mobile communication industry gears up for the global rollout of 6G standards, one critical question looms: why do we need 6G? The answer lies in the transformative use cases that 6G is designed to enable, from advanced robotics to immersive digital twins, each of which will require network capabilities far beyond what 5G can provide.
In response to this question, the European 6G Flagship research project, Hexa-X-II, is setting the stage for a sustainable, high-performance 6G ecosystem by focusing on the real-world applications that will drive this next-generation network. By aligning its research efforts with industry stakeholders, academic institutions, and technology leaders, Hexa-X-II is aiming to ensure that the technical foundation of 6G is built around the needs of society, industry, and the global economy.
A Collaborative Vision for 6G
Hexa-X-II is the next phase of Europe’s flagship 6G initiative, following the groundwork laid by the Hexa-X project. This new research phase focuses on systemization and pre-standardization, preparing the technological components that will eventually drive the creation of global 6G standards. With the vision of a highly integrated cyber-physical world that will become commonplace by the 2030s, Hexa-X-II is taking a holistic approach, investigating not just the technologies needed for 6G, but also the key use cases and sustainability factors that will shape its adoption.
At the core of Hexa-X-II’s approach is a deep focus on use cases – specific applications that will define the need for 6G networks. By clearly defining these use cases, Hexa-X-II ensures that 6G development aligns with the evolving needs of society. The project aims to go beyond traditional connectivity by incorporating AI, cloud resources, and critical connectivity to support low latency, high throughput, security, and reliability. It recognizes that future networks must handle new traffic types, increase capacity, and ensure sustainability across all facets of technology and society.
The Six Key Use Case Families Driving 6G
Hexa-X-II has identified six primary use case families to drive 6G networking. Each family encompasses a broad range of scenarios, each demanding cutting-edge network capabilities. These use cases span industries and services, highlighting the transformative potential of 6G across various sectors.
Here’s a closer look at each of them:
Immersive Experience
One of the most exciting applications of 6G will be its role in immersive experiences. As digital worlds become more lifelike and interactive, 6G networks will enable seamless transitions between physical and virtual environments. This family includes several sub-use cases:
Seamless Immersive Reality:
Full immersion into virtual spaces with no latency creates seamless, lifelike experiences.
Immersive Education:
Virtual classrooms where students interact with each other and their environment in a way that feels entirely natural, providing opportunities for remote learning to be just as engaging as in-person education.
Immersive Gaming:
Real-time, high-quality gaming experiences that are both immersive and interactive and social.
Live and Interactive Immersive Content Creation: Content creators can engage in real-time interaction with audiences or digital environments, pushing the boundaries of media consumption and creation.
Collaborative Robots
The future of collaborative robots hinges on their ability to work together in coordinated groups to perform complex tasks across various industries, such as manufacturing, construction, and logistics. These robots will no longer be isolated but will instead communicate and collaborate in real-time, performing tasks that are either too dangerous or too complex for human workers. Key use cases include:
Cooperating Mobile Robots:
Mobile robots will work together, sharing information and resources, to perform manufacturing or warehouse management tasks.
Autonomous Embodied Agents with Flexible Manufacturing:
Autonomous robots will operate autonomously in highly dynamic manufacturing environments, adapting to new tasks and changing conditions.
Physical Awareness
The Physical Awareness use case family involves networks beyond traditional communication, incorporating sensing, positioning, and AI to gather 3D situational data. This new dimension of awareness will enable industries to operate more efficiently and safely. Two key use cases are:
Network-Assisted Mobility:
Providing mobility solutions in real-time, with location tracking and environmental awareness, essential for autonomous vehicles and mobile applications.
Network Physical Data Exposure:
Using network data to expose environmental and physical information, enhancing safety and operational efficiency in sectors like healthcare, transport, and industrial automation.
Digital Twins
A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object, process, or system. As 6G connects more devices and systems, Real-time Digital Twins will become crucial for industrial automation, smart maintenance, and construction. The ability to simulate and analyze real-world systems in real-time will enable industries to optimize operations and predict potential failures before they occur. The key use cases here include:
Real-Time Digital Twins for Industrial Automation:
Simulating industrial processes to optimize performance and prevent downtime.
Smart Maintenance:
Using digital twins to predict and perform proactive maintenance of machines and infrastructure, reducing costs and extending the life of equipment.
Digital Twins for Construction:
Enabling virtual models of construction projects to optimize planning, design, and operation.
Fully Connected World
6G will expand connectivity, ensuring ubiquitous networks cover all corners of the world. This includes providing connectivity in remote areas, ensuring crisis management capabilities, and enabling the digitalization of various services. The primary use cases include:
Ubiquitous Networks:
Ensuring coverage in even the most remote and underserved areas, making global connectivity a reality.
Sustainable Food Production:
Connecting agricultural systems to ensure sustainable farming practices.
Autonomous Supply Chains:
Enabling smart supply chains that operate autonomously with real-time data and decision-making.
Virtualization of Device Functionalities:
Reducing reliance on physical hardware using virtualized services and resources.
Trusted Environments
The Trusted Environments family focuses on developing networks that support human-centric services, such as healthcare, safety, and well-being. In this context, trusted environments will ensure that people are protected and supported in their everyday lives. The key use cases here include:
Human-Centric Networks:
Networks that prioritize user health, well-being, and autonomy, especially in environments such as hospitals and retirement homes.
Industrial Sensors Network for Safe Production and Manufacturing:
Ensuring safe and efficient production environments with real-time monitoring and data analysis.
Wireless In-Vehicle Network:
Connecting vehicles to create safer, more efficient transport systems.
Key Use Cases: Real-Time Digital Twins and Collaborative Robots
Among these six use case families, two particular use cases are especially critical for the future of 6G: Real-Time Digital Twins and Collaborative Robots.
Real-Time Digital Twins
While digital twins are already being used in industries like manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare, current technologies – especially mobile networks – cannot deliver the low latency and high reliability required for real-time applications. 6G will enable near-instantaneous response times, enabling it to simulate and manage complex processes in real-time, from industrial automation to smart cities.
Collaborative Robots
Today, robots perform individual tasks, but the future of robotics lies in collaboration. 6G networks will enable robots to coordinate activities across industrial settings, improving safety, quality, and efficiency. With the ability to use the network as a source of dynamic situational awareness, collaborative robots will reach new performance levels, offering groundbreaking possibilities for industries such as construction, manufacturing, and logistics.
The Role of Sustainability in 6G
Sustainability is a core principle driving the development of 6G. As mobile networks evolve, their environmental, social, and economic impact becomes increasingly important. Hexa-X-II takes sustainability seriously, analyzing both the handprint (the positive benefits of a use case) and the footprint (the environmental, social, and economic costs) of each use case.
This dual approach will ensure that 6G enables innovative solutions and contributes positively to society, ensuring that the benefits outweigh any potential costs. Whether through energy-efficient network designs or sustainable manufacturing practices, Hexa-X-II is committed to ensuring that 6G’s impact on society is positive and responsible.
Hexa-X-II’s Roadmap to 6G
As the Hexa-X-II project moves toward its final deliverables in 2025, the next step is to refine the use cases and ensure they align with the broader goals of sustainability, economic development, and global connectivity. Once these use cases are finalized, Hexa-X-II will work to design an end-to-end system that incorporates the necessary technological components to meet the needs of the 2030s.
In conclusion, Hexa-X-II is pivotal in developing 6G, shaping a network that will enable revolutionary use cases and technologies. As the research progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that 6G is about faster connectivity and creating a more connected, sustainable, and inclusive world. The future is closer than ever, and with Hexa-X-II leading the charge, 6G is poised to change everything.
Infographics and Logos Property of Hexa
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