Transfer hub “6G-life²” enters the next funding phase

TUM and TUD launch next generation of mobile communications

• The research focuses on communication methods for networked, collaborative robotics and transferring the results into tangible applications.
• To strengthen technological sovereignty, the focus is on supporting start-ups.
• The Federal Ministry of Research is supporting the second phase with EUR 25 million over four years.

With the start of the second funding phase of the "6G-life²" project, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and TUD Dresden University of Technology are strengthening their leading roles in the development of future communication technologies. Interdisciplinary teams are developing concepts and technical solutions for the sixth generation of mobile communications, which is expected to launch commercially in 2030. The current project phase of the "6G-life²" transfer hub will run until December 2029.

Today's 5G mobile communications standard focuses primarily on communication between machines. With 6G, however, the focus will shift to humans, i.e., their communication and interaction with machines and virtual worlds. Examples include care robots and teleoperations. Since the start of the first funding period, “6G-life” in 2021, researchers have already established an ecosystem of fundamental research and application-oriented technology developments. In the second project phase, “6G-life²,” these foundations will now be used for the targeted transfer of research results into practice, enabling the creation of concrete technologies for the network of the future. The German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space is supporting “6G-life²” with EUR 25 million over four years as part of the “6G Research Roadmap 2025–2030.” The 6G Roadmap aims to pave the way for secure and resilient 6G communication technologies, enabling Germany to continue shaping the technologies of tomorrow.

“The infrastructure of the future must not only be powerful and reliable, but above all secure, sustainable, flexible, and ultimately cost-effective to implement. This is precisely why we at TUM are working with TUD to develop the necessary concepts and technologies,” says Wolfgang Kellerer, Professor of Communication Networks at TUM. “At the same time, we are looking to establish a direct transfer of knowledge to industry and incorporate the fundamentals of 6G into teaching.”

The second funding phase focuses on communication for networked robotics
Future research by “6G-life²” goes beyond pure communication and integrates computing as the basis for new business models. In computing, the focus is on energy-efficient and fast calculation methods, enabling numerous applications to function in real-time. This includes important topics such as the industrial metaverse, i.e., virtual and digital representations of factories and working environments, as well as robotics, sensor technology, and motion mechanisms for human-machine interaction.

Another key component of the second funding phase of “6G-life²” is the construction of a complete demonstrator. Its purpose is not only to examine whether the technologies developed function reliably, but also to test new applications and clearly illustrate the advantages of 6G.

Targeted support for start-ups
Another important component of the initiative is providing targeted support to start-ups. “Technological sovereignty is of crucial importance, especially in the telecommunications industry, where Asian companies play a dominant role,” says Wolfgang Kellerer. “To successfully advance the development of 6G in Bavaria and Germany, new technology companies are needed to fill existing gaps and quickly bring innovative solutions to the market.” The joint start-up incubator Launchhub42, based in Dresden, had already been established in 2024 to support the transfer of results to society.

"Technological sovereignty and a strong startup ecosystem are at the heart of ‘6G-life²’ and are now also reflected in the German government's high-tech agenda. We have already demonstrated the potential of excellent spin-offs in the field of 6G and robotics through our previous applications and close cooperation between TUD, TUM, and our transfer network," says Frank Fitzek, Professor of the Deutsche Telekom Chair of Communication Networks at TUD. "The fact that the German government is so clearly emphasizing the importance of technological sovereignty for prosperity and social resilience reinforces our ambition for the coming funding phase: We will continue to drive forward technological sovereignty – sustainably, in a trustworthy manner, and with the clear goal of translating cutting-edge research into innovations even faster. Projects such as ‘6G-life²’ lay the foundation for this with immersive, intelligent networks and real high-tech applications made in Germany."

Further information:

• In Bavaria, the second phase of the “6G Future Lab Bavaria” was launched in April last year. It is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy.
• The gAIn project initiated by Saxony and Bavaria on new approaches in AI computing also supports the goals of “6G-life²”.
• In Saxony, the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture, and Tourism already supports numerous research initiatives on robotics, quantum communication, and the tactile internet with the participation of 6G-life, which are seamlessly coordinated with the second funding phase.
• “Quicker and safer: the 6G Research Roadmap has arrived“ (German: “Schneller und sicherer: Die 6G-Forschungsroadmap ist da“ (Press release of the BMFTR from December 29, 2025) https://www.bmftr.bund.de/SharedDocs/Kurzmeldungen/DE/2025/12/6g-forschungsroadmap.html (in German)
• “Our path to 6G“ (German: “Unser Weg zu 6G“ (6G Research Roadmap 2025-2030) https://www.bmftr.bund.de/SharedDocs/Publikationen/DE/5/1118894_Unser_Weg_zu_6G.html (in German)
   

Scientific contact:
Prof. Holger Boche
Technical University of Munich
Professorship of Theoretical Information Technology

Prof. Wolfgang Kellerer
Technical University of Munich
Professorship of Communication Networks

Prof. Frank H. P. Fitzek
TUD Dresden University of Technology
Deutsche Telekom Chair of Communication Networks
 

TUM Corporate Communications Center contact:
Julia Rinner
Media relations

www.tum.de