Blending Innovation and Heritage: Live 6G Demo at one6G Summit 2025

At the one6G Summit 2025, held in Bologna, Italy on September 18–19, participants were treated to a unique live demonstration that bridged the gap between advanced wireless technology and cultural heritage. Organized by Huawei and CNIT WiLab, the demo—“Environmental Reconstruction of City Towers with cmWave ISAC”—offered a glimpse into how 6G technologies could transform the way we sense, interpret, and preserve our surroundings.

From a terrace overlooking Bologna’s historic skyline, attendees observed as experts from Huawei and CNIT WiLab showcased the capabilities of cmWave Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC). The demonstration focused on the Garisenda Tower, one of the city’s most iconic medieval landmarks, combining results from previous measurement campaigns with real-time sensing of the tower’s structure. Using midband frequencies, the technology reconstructed the tower’s form, providing both imaging and live data visualization.

The Garisenda Tower, built in the Middle Ages by the Garisendi family, originally reached 60 meters (197 feet) before being reduced in the 14th century to its current 48 meters (157 feet) due to structural instability. Despite its tilt, the tower has stood for centuries as a symbol of Bologna’s history and identity. Today, extensive stabilization works are underway to safeguard it for future generations—making it an ideal subject for a demonstration that highlighted both the vulnerabilities and enduring significance of cultural heritage.

By bringing together cutting-edge wireless innovation with one of Bologna’s most treasured landmarks, the demonstration illustrated the profound potential of 6G technologies. Beyond communication, ISAC opens possibilities for environmental sensing, urban monitoring, and heritage preservation—showing how technology can serve not only the needs of the future but also the preservation of the past.