Bosch Drives Forward the Development of 6G

Worldwide, research and development work on the future 6G mobile communications standard is picking up pace. Companies and states are investing massively in this technology. Bosch is actively involved in projects, alliances, and initiatives at both the national and international levels to lay important foundations for 6G technology.

“6G will be much more than just an infrastructure for connectivity; it will greatly increase the efficiency of autonomous driving cars, smart cities, and connected industries. That’s why 6G is a strategically important field of technology,“ says Andreas Müller, who bundles and manages 6G activities at Bosch. “The company currently has some 40 associates working on 6G technology. Over the next two years, that number is likely to double,“ Müller says. Bosch is currently investing several million euros in research and development for 6G.

The company is currently contributing its expertise and experience to five publicly funded projects. In this context, the 6G-ICAS4Mobility, KOMSENS-6G, and 6G-BRAINS projects focus primarily on integrating communication and sensor-based environment recognition. Bosch leads the consortium for the first project. In addition to addressing relevant scenarios for road traffic, insights gained from the project will serve, in particular, as technical foundations for applications in the connected drones domain as well as in Industry 4.0 (e.g. for driverless transport systems).

Meanwhile, the 6G-ANNA and 6G-SHINE projects focus on new connectivity structures. These are intended to enhance the efficiency of future E/E architectures in vehicles or robot cells. Bosch is also taking an active and leading role in early discussions and activities relating to future mobile communications standards within various industry alliances.

In the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), for instance, leading companies from the automotive and telecommunications industries are working together to develop solutions for the mobility of the future. The 5G Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation (5GACIA) brings together industrial companies to focus on connectivity for machinery and equipment.

In recent months, Germany and Europe have launched a large number of 6G projects intending to strengthen their technological sovereignty. The German government, through the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), is providing some 700 million euros over the next three years to fund 6G activities. In addition, the EU budget has earmarked a further almost 900 million euros until 2027. Japan and the United States have also launched corresponding investment programs totaling around 4.5 billion dollars.In recent months, Germany and Europe have launched a large number of 6G projects with the goal of strengthening their technological sovereignty. The German government, through the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), is providing some 700 million euros over the next three years to fund 6G activities. In addition, the EU budget has earmarked a further almost 900 million euros until 2027. Japan and the United States have also launched corresponding investment programs totaling around 4.5 billion dollars.