6G Empowering Future Robotics: A Vision for Next-Generation Autonomous Systems
2026-02-12 • Networking and Internet Architecture
Networking and Internet ArchitectureRobotics
AI summaryⓘ
The authors describe how future 6G wireless networks will improve robotic systems by making them smarter and more capable. They link key 6G performance goals to important robot functions like sensing and learning. They also suggest a new combined system architecture that brings together robots, intelligent software, and network services. To show this in action, they explain a safety system that helps humans and robots work together safely in real time using 6G technology.
6G wireless networksroboticsIMT-2030sensingperceptioncognitionactuationself-learninghuman-robot collaborationnetwork architecture
Authors
Mona Ghassemian, Andrés Meseguer Valenzuela, Ana Garcia Armada, Dejan Vukobratovic, Periklis Chatzimisios, Kaspar Althoefer, Ranga Rao Venkatesha Prasad
Abstract
The convergence of robotics and next-generation communication is a critical driver of technological advancement. As the world transitions from 5G to 6G, the foundational capabilities of wireless networks are evolving to support increasingly complex and autonomous robotic systems. This paper examines the transformative impact of 6G on enhancing key robotics functionalities. It provides a systematic mapping of IMT-2030 key performance indicators to robotic functional blocks including sensing, perception, cognition, actuation and self-learning. Building upon this mapping, we propose a high-level architectural framework integrating robotic, intelligent, and network service planes, underscoring the need for a holistic approach. As an example use case, we present a real-time, dynamic safety framework enabled by IMT-2030 capabilities for safe and efficient human-robot collaboration in shared spaces.