one6G WG4 Releases a White Paper on 6G Prototyping Activities
The one6G Association’s Working Group 4 has released its second White Paper, offering a comprehensive overview of the testbed and prototyping activities carried out in 2024. The document captures key technical milestones and showcases the dynamic ecosystem of 6G innovation presented during the one6G Summit 2024, which took place in colocation with IEEE PIMRC 2024 in September 2024, in Valencia, Spain.
Driving 6G Innovation Through Prototyping and Testbeds
This is the second White Paper from one6G Working Group 4, which focuses on the path from development to deployment of 6G technologies. It reflects on the rapid evolution of simulation, emulation, and prototyping activities carried out by one6G members, emphasizing collaborative efforts in setting up and demonstrating advanced testbeds.
The one6G Summit 2024 attendees experienced more than 16 live demonstrations, covering a wide array of use cases—from robotics and precision agriculture to AI-enhanced human-machine interaction and sub-THz communication. These demos illustrated the potential of key 6G enablers such as Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), AI-driven systems, and XR technologies.
Key Highlights Include:
-
A summary of all demonstrations presented at the 4th edition of the one6G Summit, including abstracts, technological focus areas, and operator insights.
-
Continued validation of evaluation guidelines for 6G prototyping activities, first published in 2022 and expanded in 2024.
-
Recognition of outstanding technical contributions through the first-ever Best Demo Awards presented during the event.
Accelerating 6G Development for Emerging Use Cases
The White Paper also reflects on the Association’s broader mission: to evolve, test, and promote cellular and wireless communication solutions that meet the future needs of connected mobility, e-health, advanced manufacturing, and more. Robotics emerged as a particularly prominent theme in this year’s demonstrations, signaling its growing relevance in non-traditional environments beyond factory floors.
As one6G’s community of over 140 academic and industry partners continues to grow, one6G Working Group 4’s initiatives play a central role in turning 6G concepts into reality through hands-on validation and cross-sector collaboration.
Looking Ahead
Expectations are high for the 5th edition of the one6G Summit to be held in Bologna, where next-generation prototypes and testbeds will once again take center stage. In the meantime, this White Paper offers a detailed snapshot of where 6G prototyping stands today—and where it’s headed next.