Although 6G is not yet a viable technology, the time when 6G tools will become ubiquitous is fast approaching. But what does this mean for the future of connectivity? In fact, 6G will be able to support a much larger network of devices around the world, will revolutionize healthcare, and will help develop technologies that have become ubiquitous in recent years.

6G networks will change the way we conduct business and connect with others. While the transition to 6G technology will take time, there are so many incredible use cases that are worth the wait. However, before studying the application of 6G, it is first important to understand what 6G is.

What is 6G?

6G is the evolution of mobile networks and represents the sixth generation of connectivity. It goes beyond 5G, which is currently being used around the world, and represents a possible shift in the global community that will allow mobile devices to support demanding and previously impossible tasks. In fact, use cases for 6G technology include revolutionary developments such as Industry 4.0, augmented reality, autonomous transportation, e-health, and more.

Ericsson has great insights into 6G in recent articles on 6G use cases and Hexa-X development. Coupled with a research paper from NYU on the future of 6G, we can begin to understand the implications and applications of the upcoming 6G network.

Industry 4.0 development and 6G

The fourth industrial revolution has begun. In the simplest terms, creating and developing industrial technologies that will help drive manufacturing and commerce around the world. For now, however, Industry 4.0 is just a shell of what it could become. With the power of 6G networks, companies around the world can finally begin to realize industrial progress.

This means implementing robotics in factories and consumer environments. These machines will collaborate with each other to perform tasks and will be accessible via mobile networks. It will also allow the exploitation of increasingly complex cyber-physical systems that often require computer algorithms to operate and monitor industrial tools.

6G technology will also pave the way for increasingly viable cloud business services. With revolutionary leaps in bandwidth and reliability, cloud platforms promise to support large-scale (and global) businesses without experiencing latency issues. In fact, in order to enable AI, augmented reality and telepresence technologies, it is expected that the next generation of mobile connections will have to support download speeds in excess of 1TB per second. This is a leap from the current goal of 5G networks (10 Gbps).

6G Healthcare Technology Innovation

Healthcare is also expected to undergo dramatic changes in the 6G era with the advent of e-health. E-health will allow providers to offer ultra-fast connectivity, continuous availability and even telepresence tools to patients. What’s more, it could revolutionize personal care by using augmented reality to assist with surgical procedures or emergency treatment.

These healthy changes will be made possible by the enhanced capabilities of 6G internet technology and artificial intelligence programs that will be able to manage the system and continuously improve it by self-assessing its progress. Hopefully this will allow for the development of a safer and more effective health industry.

FYI: AR, VR and 6G

Beyond the health industry, augmented reality will become a major part of modern life in the 6G future. 6G will not only pave the way for incredibly advanced gaming, but will also transform business and entertainment. Imagine being able to hang a digital version of the Mona Lisa on your wall in preparation for an exam, or imagine being able to watch a life-size mannequin in preparation for surgery. With 6G connectivity, this will all be possible.

6G Internet technology will start using powerful sensors to create digital assets based on real-life objects and people, bringing the digital world closer to the real world. The need to create holograms or any 3D representations from digital assets is enormous. This future will only be possible with the increased speed, data storage and bandwidth of 6G internet.

6G for autonomous transport

Using a combination of automation, artificial intelligence, high-speed connectivity, and machine learning, autonomous transportation will finally become feasible. For years, people have been talking about automation coming to the trucking and bus industries, but 6G will make it possible for any household to buy a self-driving car. These vehicles will communicate seamlessly with each other and will strive to create a traffic jam-free road experience.

There are concerns about the algorithms that self-driving cars will be equipped with—that is, what will the self-driving car “decide” to do if someone suddenly jumps onto the road? Risk the driver’s life, or the life of a pedestrian?—but these underlying problems are not The result of 6G progress. Rather, they are the result of automated software implementations.

The future of 6G technology

The 6G future is fast approaching and will bring dramatic changes to global commerce, entertainment, healthcare and learning. 6G technology will make it easier for organizations to thrive in the digital world.

However, 6G Internet technology is also full of risks. Is it wise to start implementing telesurgery? How often do augmentation software go wrong? Is a heavy reliance on robotics really a viable option for the future?

These questions cannot be answered now, nor will a 6G internet be fully understood until it is realized. One thing is clear, the 6G future will mean huge changes for the entire world, many of which may be beneficial, while others may not.