The world of mobile communications is always advancing, with the next generation of mobile communications, 6G, picking up pace in research and development worldwide. Bosch is leading the way in the race to develop 6G technology, actively engaging in projects, alliances, and initiatives at both the national and international level.
Investing Heavily in 6G Research and Development
According to Dr. Andreas Müller, who manages 6G activities at Bosch, “6G will be much more than just an infrastructure for connectivity; it will greatly increase the efficiency of autonomous driving cars, smart cities, and connected industries. That’s why 6G is a strategically important field of technology.” Bosch is currently contributing its expertise and experience to five publicly funded projects, with the company investing several million euros in research and development for 6G.
Bosch Expands Research Alliance with Nokia to Include 6G
Bosch and Nokia announced at the Mobile World Congress 2023 in Barcelona that they will expand the alliance they entered into in 2017 to develop industrial IoT solutions in the area of 5G so that it also addresses the new 6G technology. The two companies are conducting joint research on the next generation of networks and investigating how to use future 6G networks for both communications and sensors.
Potential Benefits of 6G Technology
The development of 6G technology promises significant advancements in the efficiency of autonomous driving cars, smart cities, and connected industries. Experts predict that the first 6G standard will be completed by 2028, with extremely high data rates of up to one terabit per second and very low latency in the order of some 100 microseconds – four times faster than a lightning strike.
Integration of Sensor Technology in the Next Generation of Mobile Communications
One of the key features of the next generation of mobile communications will be the integration of new functionalities similar to radar sensors. With 6G, it will be possible to detect the position of objects in the network’s coverage area – without these objects having to be equipped with a radio module. This will have significant implications for the development of autonomous driving cars, smart cities, and connected industries.
Bosch’s Commitment to 6G Technology
Bosch is leading the consortium for the 6G-ICAS4Mobility project, which focuses on integrating communication and sensor-based environment recognition. In addition, the company is contributing to the KOMSENS-6G and 6G-BRAINS projects. Insights gained from these projects will serve as technical foundations for applications in the connected drones domain as well as in Industry 4.0.
Bosch is also taking an active role in early discussions and activities relating to future mobile communications standards within various industry alliances. The company is committed to staying ahead of the curve when it comes to 6G technology, ensuring that it continues to play a leading role in the development of this critical area of technology.
Investment in 6G Technology
Germany and Europe have launched a large number of 6G projects with the goal of strengthening their technological sovereignty. The German government, through the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), is providing some 700 million euros over the next three years to fund 6G activities. In addition, the EU budget has earmarked a further almost 900 million euros until 2027. Japan and the United States have also launched corresponding investment programs totaling around 4.5 billion dollars.
The development of 6G technology is picking up pace worldwide, with companies and states investing heavily in this critical area of technology. Bosch is leading the way in research and development, actively engaging in projects, alliances, and
