TU Dortmund University Contributes to Development of 6th Generation of Mobile Communications

Research work on the sixth generation of mobile communications (6G) will continue from January 2026 onward at the transfer hub “6GEM+: Value-Oriented 6G Communication Systems for the Networked Digital Industry”. The hub will deliver significant impetus for the transfer of 6G research into practical applications such as industrial automation, logistics, mobility, and rescue robotics. Local spokesperson Professor Christian Wietfeld is responsible for coordinating a team of researchers from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology and the Department of Computer Science at TU Dortmund University. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Transfer (CET) at TU Dortmund University is also involved. The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has earmarked funds of up to €25 million for the hub.

The aim of “6GEM+” is not only to improve the efficiency and reliability of communication systems but also to open up new application possibilities in various sectors through innovative technologies and close collaboration with industry. The goal is to surpass the limitations of the current mobile communications standard and sound in a new era of networked communication.

Further Development of the Current Mobile Communications Standard

The current 5G mobile communications standard needs to be advanced to enhance adoption of mobile technologies, AI computing and extended reality in industrial applications. Here, integrated AI computing and real-time transmission, extreme latency, and high reliability are particularly important requirements, which cannot be fully met with 5G systems. 6GEM+ Transfer Hub aims to actively tackle these challenges.

Also involved on the Dortmund side is the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML. In addition, Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), RWTH Aachen University (coordinator) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT are participating in the 6G transfer hub. The project will receive funding of up to €25 million for up to four years from 2026 onward from the “6G Transfer Hubs” funding program of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

Collaboration with Industry Partners

To make the project's vision a reality, this research will focus on innovative 6G technologies that will be tested in laboratory environments and large-scale test fields. Additional associated partners from industry, who will act as use case mentors, will assist the project partners by providing valuable insights from real-world applications. They are indispensable for ensuring that the technologies developed are practice-based and meet the specific requirements of industry. With a clear focus on the efficiency, security and resilience of mobile communication systems, “6GEM+” will offer a unique platform that unites research with practical validation.

The research team can build on the work performed within the predecessor project “6GEM”, which ran until June 2025, was also funded by the Federal Government and has established itself over the past years as a leading international research hub for 6G technology. To contribute to a future-proof and resilient society and industry in the digital age, TU Dortmund University and Ruhr University Bochum, which have submitted a joint proposal within the Excellence Strategy as the Ruhr Innovation Lab, already began working together in 2021 on innovative technologies and their transfer.

The 6GEM+ transfer hub is part of the BMFTR's 6G research roadmap. It outlines the ministry's anticipated steps regarding the new mobile communications standard until the end of this decade.