Over the past decades the mobile communications has evolved over the different generations to the current 5G, and transformed into a fundamental infrastructure that supports digital demands from all industry sectors. However, 5G systems are expected to fall short on meeting the anticipated stringent performance requirements for the new generation of real time mission-critical applications. In view of that, DESIRE6G will design and develop novel zero-touch control, management, and orchestration platform, with native integration of AI, to support eXtreme URLLC application requirements. DESIRE6G will re-architect mobile networks through a) its intent-based control and end-to-end orchestration that targets to achieve near real time autonomic networking; and b) a cloud-native unified programmable data plane layer supporting multi-tenancy. The latter will be supported by a generic hardware abstraction layer designed for heterogeneous systems. Flexible composition of modular micro-services for slice specific implementations and flexible function placement depending on HW requirements will enable granular use case instantiation and service level assurance with minimum resource consumption and maximum energy efficiency. The DESIRE6G data, control, management, and orchestration plane is supported by a pervasive monitoring system, extending from the network to the user equipment or IoT terminal. DESIRE6G will employ distributed ledger technology to support a) dynamic federation for services across of multiple administrative domains and b) infrastructure-agnostic software security. Finally, DESIRE6G will enable communication-, and energy- efficient distributed AI, at the network edge, while considering application-level requirements and resource constraints. The proposed innovations will be validated employing a VR/AR/MR and a Digital Twin application at two distinct experimental sites.

Today smart manufacturing sector is undergoing a digital transformation addressing the challenge of reducing manual processes and increasing efficiency. 5G is foreseen as key enabler for the future manufacturing ecosystem termed Industry 4.0. 5G-SMART unlocks the value of 5G for smart manufacturing through demonstrating, validating and evaluating its potential in real manufacturing environments. 5G-SMART trials will test the most advanced 5G integrated manufacturing applications such as digital twins, industrial robotics and machine vision based remote operations by bringing first ever 5G deployment in manufacturing setup. 5G-SMART will undertake the evaluation of Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), channel measurements and co-existence between public and private industrial networks in real manufacturing environments easing the integration of 5G. The new 5G features, developed in 5G-SMART such as time synchronisation and positioning for manufacturing use cases represent a technological leap. To further accelerate the take-up of 5G in the manufacturing ecosystem, 5G-SMART will explore new business models, including the roles of mobile network operators. 5G-SMART will result in the development of future 5G standards for the manufacturing sector complemented by new 5G enabled manufacturing products and solutions. 5G-SMART open days will directly address small and medium enterprises making 5G-SMART technology accessible to them. 5G-SMART lead by Ericsson brings together a strong consortium of partners involved in every aspect of the manufacturing ecosystem.