IMDEA Networks is contributing to MultiX, a European scientific initiative involving 17 research centers and technology companies from seven countries.
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Coordinated by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), the project aims to reshape the future of 6G communication networks by rethinking their design and functionality. Through an advanced system that integrates multisensory perception, MultiX seeks to enable networks to intelligently observe and interact with their environment in real time. This breakthrough has the potential to impact sectors such as healthcare and autonomous vehicles significantly.
What we want to achieve through the development of this technology is that the networks stop being simple communication providers and become active observers of reality, capable of interacting with it.
Antonio de la Oliva, Project Coordinator and Professor, Telematics Engineering Department, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M)
“To do this, we want to use multiple tools, such as cameras and communication networks acting as sensors simultaneously. In this way we will be able to have a broader vision of what is happening around us and design a new access network in which everything is connected,” said Antonio de la Oliva.
IMDEA Networks is specifically working on MultiX’s energy-efficient network perception system, which enables localization and multi-static sensing across various radio technologies. The institute is also developing machine-learning algorithms to integrate different sensing modalities, generating detailed environmental insights.
Multi-static, multi-band integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) with coherent integration is key to high-precision perception of the environment. Capturing signals from multiple viewpoints improves spatial diversity, enhances micro-Doppler extraction, and provides richer motion signatures, while coherent processing fuses information across bands to improve accuracy, which enables real-time, intelligent interaction with the environment.
Joerg Widmer, Research Director, IMDEA Networks
The project's organizers have clarified that one of the numerous uses for this new technology is to enable networks to detect whether a particular area has a higher population density, whether an elderly person has fallen at home, or to optimize coverage distribution by dynamically adjusting to user needs.
MultiX is also working on more possible applications, such as home connected health and industrial automation processes. On the one hand, scientists hope that the networks will be able to detect barriers and enable more effective job management by coordinating the movement of robots in real time.
On the other hand, the project is working on contactless health monitoring in the domestic environment. That is, through connected home devices, it will be possible to monitor vital signs such as heart rate or respiration. In fact, the network could even detect emergency situations, such as a heart attack, and potentially alert health services.
Antonio de la Oliva, Project Coordinator and Professor, Telematics Engineering Department, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M)
MultiX is also distinguished by its strong commitment to sustainability—an essential consideration for 6G technology. To enhance energy efficiency and minimize resource consumption, the project integrates artificial intelligence to implement low-power solutions that align with the demands of next-generation networks.
To validate its progress, MultiX will conduct two proof-of-concept demonstrations showcasing practical applications of its technologies. The first focuses on a multilayer digital network twin designed to optimize industrial manufacturing processes. The second explores contactless health monitoring in home environments, aiming to improve home healthcare. According to researchers, these AI-powered technologies could enhance diagnosis and treatment capabilities remotely.
Supporting these efforts, IMDEA Networks is developing a robust multi-band integrated sensing and communication platform for 6G.
The project began in January 2025 and is set to conclude in June 2027.