KEYNOTE LECTURE

Frank Hanns Paul Fitzek

TU Dresden, Germany

The next generation of communication networks, particularly 6G, will redefine the role of connectivity in robotics. Beyond simply replacing wired connections, communication in 6G-enabled robotic systems will be a fundamental enabler of real-time collaboration, precise coordination and intelligent autonomy. This talk explores key advances in 6G, including Joint Sensing and Communication (JSC), embedded AI, and novel information-theoretic paradigms, that are driving this transformation. In environments where robotic systems operate in close proximity, such as medical operating rooms or industrial manufacturing, communication must evolve into an integrated, intelligent fabric that seamlessly links computing and control. The fusion of networking, distributed computing and AI-driven decision-making will enable robots to share situational awareness, anticipate actions and dynamically adapt to their environment. This shift towards communication as holistic networked intelligence will be critical to unlocking the full potential of collaborative robotics in safety-critical and high-precision domains. This talk will highlight new architectural principles and technologies that underpin this evolution, and show how 6G will shape the next frontier of human-machine collaboration.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. Frank H. P. Fitzek, IEEE Fellow, holds the Deutsche Telekom Chair for Communication Networks at the Dresden University of Technology (TUD) and leads a research team of more than 100 scientists. His research focuses on cutting-edge topics such as 5G/6G communication systems, quantum and molecular communication, novel computing approaches, human-machine interaction, and information theory.
Prof. Fitzek coordinates two large interdisciplinary research projects: the Cluster of Excellence “Centre for Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop” (CeTI) and the BMBF-funded initiative “6G-life”, a cooperation between TU Dresden and TU Munich. In addition, he co-leads the joint Saxon-Bavarian research initiative “gAIn”, which explores innovative computer architectures for artificial intelligence.
His team works closely with leading academic institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Aalborg University (AAU), Technische Universität München (TUM), Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BUTE), NorthEastern University, and EURECOM. Industry partnerships include Deutsche Telekom AG and Ericsson.
Prof. Fitzek’s pioneering work in MIMO MDC earned him the YRP Award in 2005 and the Danish Young Elite Researcher Award. For his innovative contributions to cooperative networks, he received the NOKIA Champion Award from 2007 to 2011 and the Nokia Achievement Award in 2008. In 2011, he received the prestigious SAPERE AUDE research grant, followed by the Vodafone Innovation Prize in 2012. In 2015, he was awarded the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa by BUTE.
Prof. Fitzek has co-founded several successful startups in the fields of communications, computing, robotics, AI, human-machine interaction, and quantum technologies.