6GEM

Motivation and Goals

Future communication technologies such as 6G mobile communications technologies will have a positive impact on many areas of application, for example in logistics, production, rescue robotics and autonomous driving as well as healthcare. This creates significant added value for Germany as an industrial location and our society.

With StartUpConnect, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has established a powerful start-up and innovation ecosystem in the area of future communication technologies. The funding measure supports the rapid and targeted transfer of future-oriented research ideas into innovative startups.

The start-up incubator “6GEMcubator” with advice centers in Aachen, Bochum and Dortmund was set up for North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond. In addition to advice, the individual locations also offer services in the areas of coaching, mentoring and networking.

This is intended to make a significant contribution to the competitiveness and technological sovereignty of Germany and Europe in the area of future communication systems.

ITAR - Innovative Test procedures for radio systems
based on Augmented Reality technologies

The start-up ITAR, short for “Innovative Test procedures for radio systems based on Augmented Reality technologies”, is revolutionizing the control of wireless systems by integrating an augmented reality interface (XR). Currently, network operators only control their operations via automated processes or local technicians, which limits the analysis of radio data on site.
The ITAR interface enables customization and reconfiguration, improves industrial radio coverage testing in complex environments and provides visualization tools for the measurement industry. Robots with embedded AI agents interact seamlessly with their environment, supported by XR headsets with object recognition for optimal performance. The innovative system configuration combines digital and physical wireless parameters and enables real-time immersive performance visualization.

6G-ROTAM - Resource-Optimized Training of large voice models in 6G networks for Applications with sensitive Medical data

The start-up 6G-ROTAM, resource-optimized training of large language models in 6G networks for applications with sensitive medical data, has set itself the task of closing gaps in medical care using networked AI systems.
A new type of distributed communication platform is being developed in which two parties can communicate securely in an AI-supported consultation chat. The project is researching how LLM can be trained in a federated approach based on 6G technologies in a data-efficient manner. Among other things, compression techniques to reduce the model size and swarm learning algorithms are being investigated. The distributed communication platform should comply with the high data protection standards of the healthcare sector and be evaluated using a specific application example from the field of psychotherapy.

The solutions aimed at in the project for the integration of 6G networks and federated learning not only advance the convergence of AI and 6G, but also address a socially highly relevant field with the preparation of a concrete application scenario from psychotherapy. The solutions developed in the project can help to cover gaps in medical care and thus improve the quality of life of citizens.

Startup NovoFlect

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) from NovoFlect are aimed for advanced communications such as 6G communications and Joint Communication and Sensing (JCAS).
NovoFlect develops active Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) for the targeted adaptation of electromagnetic waves. This technology enables optimized signal distribution and improves the efficiency of wireless communication systems.
Applications of NovoFlect's RIS technology can be found in 6G mobile communications and in the field of Joint Communication and Sensing (JCAS). By flexibly adapting wave propagation, RIS helps to increase network capacity, reduce interference and improve signal quality.
NovoFlect's research and development focuses on innovative material technologies, adaptive control concepts and energy-efficient solutions to support future communication infrastructures.

StartUpConnect

The BMBF's StartUpConnect funding measure is divided into two funding phases.

Phase 1 is aimed at those interested in starting a business at universities and non-university research institutions.
The aim is to prove the technical feasibility of a start-up idea.
•    Grant: up to 800.000 Euro
•    Duration: up to 12 months

Phase 2 focuses on pre-competitive research and development work that ensures rapid market launch unterstützen.
•    Grant: up to 800.000 Euro
•   Duration: up to 24 Monate

The selection process takes place on a quarterly basis.

Project Coordination

Partners