The enduring dream of harnessing free electric energy from the environment—first envisioned by Nikola Tesla—continues to inspire a new era of technological innovation. Today, empowered by AI, robotics and smart, self-connecting devices we stand at the precipice of realizing ambitions once reserved for science fiction.
The convergence of these technologies is not merely about remote control or automation. It is about anticipating needs, self-regulation and creating systems that are as sustainable as they are intelligent.
Projects such as the Horizon initiative urge us to look beyond immediate boundaries, embracing miniaturization as a pathway to sustainability. The concept of using less material and less power is no longer a distant goal but a practical imperative.
Our vision is clear: a world embraced by an omnipresent energy and information network that can achieve sustainability and convenience in an optimally balanced way.
The Role of AMBIENT-6G Project and NXP in the Future of Sustainable Connectivity
At the forefront of this movement, NXP Austria has successfully completed the REINDEER project, an endeavor funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. This project united leading researchers and engineers from across Europe to advance smart connectivity technologies, culminating in a new connect-compute platform designed for ultraresponsive, always-available digital experiences.
Building on the momentum of REINDEER, the consortium has launched AMBIENT-6G, an ambitious initiative poised to redefine wireless connectivity. AMBIENT-6G aims to push the boundaries of energy efficiency, introducing energy neutral devices (ENDs)—smart devices that operate autonomously by harvesting ambient energy and utilizing wireless power transfer. This eliminates the need for batteries, plugs or cables, setting the stage for a truly sustainable Internet of Things (IoT).
To realize the vision of energy-neutral autonomous devices, AMBIENT-6G introduces several groundbreaking innovations including:
- Advanced hardware circuits: Designed for energy harvesting and ultra-low power operation
- Low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs): Communication protocols tailored for ENDs, ensuring robust connectivity with minimal energy consumption
- Intelligence at the edge: Intelligent systems that optimize when and how devices communicate or process data, maximizing efficiency and responsiveness
NXP is contributing to the AMBIENT-6G initiative by driving innovation in ultra-low-power hardware, leading wireless technology and secure connectivity to enable truly energy-neutral devices. Leveraging its expertise in advanced semiconductor design, NXP develops circuits optimized for energy harvesting and minimal power consumption, while actively shaping next-generation low-power communication through IEEE 802.11bp standardization (closely monitored within AMBIENT-6G for future connectivity networks). Complementing this, NXP integrates intelligence at the edge, allowing devices to adaptively manage communication and processing for maximum efficiency and responsiveness. These combined efforts position NXP as a key player in sustainable IoT and 6G ecosystems where energy neutrality, secure connectivity and smart autonomy converge.
AMBIENT-6G is committed to validating its technologies through realistic laboratory demonstrations. The goal is to prove that these innovations can function reliably in everyday settings, delivering tangible benefits such as:
- Environmental: Significant reduction in battery waste and electronic pollution
- Economic: Maintenance-free costs for large-scale IoT deployments
- Social: Sustainable digital infrastructure in smart environments, such as agriculture or healthcare
Imagine a new era of smart environment and sustainable agriculture, where tiny, energy-neutral sensors are scattered across fields and forests to monitor soil moisture, nutrients, plant health and check for fire risks, all powered by ambient energy and interconnected in a smart grid. This helps prevent wildfires, support biodiversity, improves water consumption through targeted irrigation and reduces the need for artificial pesticides and fertilizers without disturbing natural habitats.
Or picture living in a smart city enhanced by thousands of tiny, interconnected devices. These sensors continuously monitor air quality, traffic flow and noise levels requiring no manual upkeep or extra energy sources and ensuring high quality living experience in urban spaces.
The journey from vision to reality demands not only dreaming but also rigorous implementation. AMBIENT-6G is actively contributing to international standardization efforts by ensuring global harmonization and interoperability. By aligning with worldwide research roadmaps, the project guarantees that its innovations will have a lasting impact, shaping the future of 6G technologies and beyond for all of humanity.
Addressing the Challenges of Energy-Neutral Connectivity
The path forward is not without challenges. Reliable energy harvesting, robust communication protocols and uncompromising security are hurdles that must be overcome. NXP’s expertise in secure connectivity positions the company as an ideal partner in this endeavor, safeguarding the integrity of connected systems in an increasingly digital world.
Preserving security for at the social level and continuity is paramount. As digital infrastructure becomes ever more pervasive, the importance of secure connectivity cannot be overstated. AMBIENT-6G places security at the core of its strategy, ensuring that the benefits of energy-neutral connectivity are realized without compromising safety or privacy.
Welcome to a New Era of Energy-Neutral Connectivity
The transition from REINDEER to AMBIENT-6G marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of energy-neutral connectivity. By integrating visionary thinking, technical innovation and strategic foresight, these projects are not only advancing the state-of-the-art technology but also laying the groundwork for a sustainable, interconnected future. The dream of energy-autonomous devices is becoming reality—one that promises profound environmental, economic and social benefits for generations to come.
The AMBIENT-6G project has received funding from the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 101192113.
Source: NXP blog
