A new approach is bringing a new era of wireless networks to life by combining communication and sensing for smarter, faster, and safer environments.
Until recently, wireless networks were used to send data. Whether it was a phone call, a video, or browsing your favourite social networks, the job was to carry information from one point to another. That’s all about to change.
Currently defined as the next generation of wireless technology, 6G is expected to open up a new chapter. It won’t just transmit data. It will also sense, interpret, and react to the world around it. Like radar or cameras, but invisible and embedded in the network, these smart systems will detect motion, understand environments, and respond in real time.
This exciting shift is being pioneered by a European research initiative called MultiX (which stands for Advancing 6G-Radio Access Network through multi-technology, multi-sensor fusion, multi-band and multi-static perception – see Fig. 1). With support from the European Commission and partners across academia and industry, MultiX is developing a new kind of network: one that can see, feel, and decide.
Why does sensing matter?
Imagine a factory where the network doesn’t just connect the robots, it also tracks them, monitors air quality, and detects obstacles, without any extra sensors than the network itself. Or a city where your phone helps your car see around corners. These aren’t distant dreams. They are real-world scenarios that MultiX is already working on.
But making this possible is no small task. Today’s networks were designed for communication, not perception. Integrating sensing requires new technologies, smarter co-ordination, and intelligent ways to fuse data from many sources – from Wi-Fi signals to mobile networks and even radar and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). This integration is the focus of MultiX.
A smarter network from the ground up
At the heart of the MultiX project is a simple but powerful idea: if wireless networks can also sense, they become much more useful. To make this happen,
MultiX is building a new kind of system called the MultiX Fusion Perceptive 6G-Radio Access Network (MP6R for short). This fusion allows networks to get new abilities. The MP6R system is based on four main ideas:
- Multi-sensor fusion: Just like our brains combine inputs from sight, sound, and touch to understand the world, MultiX fuses data from multiple sensing technologies – such as Wi-Fi, 5G, cameras, LiDAR, and radar – to build a richer, more accurate understanding of its environment. Each sensor type offers unique strengths: Wi-Fi and 5G can detect motion and location through signal changes, cameras provide visual context and object recognition, while radar and LiDAR contribute precise depth and range information. By integrating all these inputs in real time, MultiX can interpret complex scenarios, adapt to changing conditions, and make smarter decisions.
- Multi-band operation: Different radio frequencies excel at different tasks – lower frequencies travel further, while higher ones provide greater detail. MultiX uses a combination, including sub-6 GHz (the traditional frequencies used by Wi-Fi, 4G, and 5G) and millimetre waves, which operate at higher frequencies. Although millimetre waves have shorter ranges, they offer higher bandwidth and data rates, enabling greater sensing resolution. MultiX combines this information and transforms it into unified sensing data, to get the best of both worlds.
- Multi-static sensing: Instead of relying on a single fixed sensor, MultiX connects multiple devices – spread across different locations – that all sense their environment. By sharing and comparing their data, the system can triangulate positions, detect subtle movements, and track objects with high precision, even in areas with obstacles or signal interference.
- Multi-technology integration: MultiX treats all wireless technologies as part of a single sensing fabric. Whether signals come from different cellular network technologies (4G, 5G, 6G) or Wi-Fi, it fuses them into one cohesive stream of information. This allows it to operate across different platforms and standards, unlocking more reliable and intelligent sensing in any setting.
These foundational ideas power a bold new vision for wireless networks – networks that don’t just connect, but understand the world around them. To bring this vision to life, MultiX focuses on two key elements: the building blocks that make up this sensing-capable infrastructure, and real-world use cases that show its potential. The following sections explore these in detail, starting with the core components that enable this transformation, followed by how they’re being applied in environments such as advanced manufacturing.
The brain, the eyes, and the memory of MultiX
Together, these features allow MultiX to understand its environment and react quickly, making the entire network more intelligent and adaptable.
To bring sensing to life in wireless networks, MultiX is built around three key components — each with a unique role, just like in the human body (see Fig. 2).
The eyes: MultiX Perception System (MPS)
This is the part of the network that does the actual sensing. The MPS can be installed in different parts of the network – on antennas, base stations, or even on the devices we carry. It listens to the wireless signals that are already being transmitted and extracts useful information, like movement, location, or activity in the environment.
Think of it as a distributed network of ‘eyes’ that quietly observe what’s going on around them, without needing extra cameras or sensors.
The brain: MP6R Controller (MP6RC)
Once the data is collected, someone needs to make sense of it. That’s the job of the MP6RC. It acts as the central brain of the system, co-ordinating all the different technologies (5G, Wi-Fi, etc.) and making sure everything works smoothly together.
It also decides how and where the data should be processed, helping the network adapt in real time – for example, by shifting resources or improving service quality in a busy area.
The memory: Data Access and Security Hub (DASH)
DASH is where the sensing data gets stored, processed, and shared – but always in a secure and controlled way. It makes sure sensitive information is protected, only available to authorised users, and ready to be used for smart decision-making.
It’s also what allows MultiX to work with advanced tools like artificial intelligence, combining different data sources to spot patterns and make predictions.
A digital twin that sees, thinks, and acts
To show what MultiX can do, the team built a real-world example called the Multi-Layer Digital Twin for Industrial Manufacturing. The idea is simple: it’s a virtual copy of a real factory that continuously learns from its environment, and gets information from different sensors, including the network itself.
In this setup, the digital twin uses data collected from the network through ‘eyes’ (MPS), ‘brain’ (MP6RC), and ‘memory’ (DASH) to understand what’s happening on the factory floor. It can track robots, detect when something is not right, and even suggest the best way to fix a problem before it happens.
Because it works in real time, the digital twin can help the network adapt instantly. For example, if a machine starts moving and needs a reliable connection, the network can react and make sure that the machine stays connected without delay. That’s a big deal in environments where even a small mistake can stop the whole production line.
But the digital twin isn’t just about machines. It also helps people and robots work together safely, efficiently, and in new ways. By combining real-world data with smart algorithms, it supports better decision-making, saves energy, and unlocks new possibilities for automation.
In short, this digital twin is a glimpse into the future of smart industry – and proof that networks can do much more than just connect us.
What’s next for sensing networks?
MultiX is more than just a research project – it’s a step toward a future where wireless networks actively sense, interpret, and support the world around them. This evolution isn’t only about smarter technology – it’s about creating real, tangible benefits for society.
By merging communication and sensing, MultiX paves the way for safer roads, where vehicles and infrastructure can respond more intelligently to their surroundings. It enables smarter hospitals, where networks quietly monitor patients without intrusive sensors. In cities, it supports cleaner and more sustainable living by helping systems respond instantly to changes in the environment. On the factory floor, it makes industries more efficient and adaptive, detecting problems before they escalate and ensuring seamless automation. And in our daily lives, it lays the foundation for more inclusive digital services, where people interact naturally with technology that understands context and adapts in real time.
What makes MultiX truly powerful is its flexibility. It doesn’t depend on a single standard or setup. Instead, it brings together a range of technologies, frequencies, and sensing methods, adapting to different environments and needs. Whether it’s improving public safety, supporting remote workers, or guiding autonomous machines, the MultiX approach responds to human challenges – not just technical ones (see Fig. 3).
Of course, the journey isn’t over. The team is now focused on making this vision scalable, fast, and secure – while ensuring data privacy and trust remain at the core. But one thing is already clear: the networks of the future won’t just connect people and devices. They will understand their surroundings, anticipate needs, and play an active role in building a more intelligent, sustainable, and human-centred world. With MultiX, that future is already taking shape.
ACK MultiX project has received funding from the Smart Networks and Services Joint
Undertaking (SNS JU) under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 101192521.
Please note, this article will also appear in the 22nd edition of our quarterly publication.
