Project EcoAgent-6G

Abstract

EcoAgent-6G will develop and validate a radio-centric architecture for human-centric, collaborative hybrid connectivity in dynamic Industry 5.0 environments, such as smart factories and urban mobility corridors, to enable sustainable and safe operations amid human-robot interactions. EcoAgent-6G addresses key challenges including energy constraints for IoT devices, communication reliability in interference-prone settings, and seamless mobility support for autonomous agents like AGVs and UAVs. As a solution to such challenges, EcoAgent-6G will develop resilient, energy-efficient mobile agents with AI-native orchestration for real-time worker-robot coordination, safety alerts, and adaptive resource allocation in unpredictable scenarios. These agents will be organized in a multi-tier hierarchical framework for efficient multi-agent coordination and collaborative decision-making that takes into account both performance and energy-consumption related requirements. The EcoAgent-6G innovations encompass dynamic multi-RAT/NTN handover frameworks leveraging the hierarchical AI agents as well as RIS for wavefront shaping; cognitive radio techniques with semantic processing to mitigate industrial multipath interference and prioritise task-critical communications; and integrated energy efficiency for battery-free, long-term autonomy. Cross-layer (PHY-MAC) optimisations will ensure ultra-low latency (<50 ms), high reliability (>99%), and 20-30% energy savings, to be validated through MATLAB/Python simulations and laboratory testbeds replicating factory and mobility use cases. To align with 3GPP Release 19+ and EU Green Deal priorities, and contribute to Europe’s 6G leadership, EcoAgent-6G will aim to deliver prototypes, specifications, and business models for scalable deployment in manufacturing, logistics, and smart cities, reducing carbon footprints while enhancing digital sovereignty and operational resilience.