Project REFEREE

Abstract

REFEREE brings together leading European partners to deliver critical advancement toward European technological leadership in next-generation industrial networks, unlocking unprecedented productivity gains while fostering high-skilled employment in the digital economy. REFEREE delivers a novel AI-native 6G reference architecture that transforms private networks into intelligent, multifunctional platforms capable of simultaneous sensing, communication, and real-time control. REFEREE integrates cell-free massive MIMO (CFmMIMO) with Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC). REFEREE is modular architecture that enables private 6G networks to serve as comprehensive digital ecosystems, combining environmental interaction, resilient edge orchestration, and intelligent network behavior within a single infrastructure. Semantic communications capabilities allow it to understand context and meaning, while Digital Twin synchronisation ensures real-time alignment between physical and virtual environments for precise control applications. REFEREE validates its 6G technology across three critical verticals: smart manufacturing with AI-enhanced production control, precision agriculture through intelligent resource management, and XR-based teleoperation for remote robotics. Through real-world demonstrations across multiple European countries, the project showcases how AI-native 6G networks can revolutionise industrial operations, creating safer workplaces through enhanced robotic awareness, more sustainable agricultural practices, and resilient supply chains powered by intelligent digital twins.