Facts and Figures about the winning proposals

As the 6G-XR project moves closer to its goal of enabling the next generation of immersive, intelligent, and energy-aware applications, the third open call—Vertical Replicability Enablers—has delivered a new wave of cutting-edge experiments. These 12 newly selected projects will deploy and validate innovative XR use cases across the 6G-XR infrastructure, helping to transform how we communicate, learn, work, and move in a hyperconnected world.

With 41 eligible proposals from across Europe and 12 ultimately selected, Open Call 3 marks the largest and most competitive round to date—surpassing Open Call 1 (with 8 awarded projects out of 24 eligible) and Open Call 2 (10 awarded out of 15 eligible). This reflects growing momentum and interest from academia, SMEs, and research institutions in leveraging 6G-XR’s powerful testbeds for real-world experimentation.

A Diverse Portfolio of Use Cases Across Verticals

Smart Manufacturing

The awarded OC3 projects span seven key focus areas, including real-time holographic communication, immersive services, CCAM, AI-driven manufacturing, and energy measurement frameworks. Notably, the AI supervised manufacturing topic saw the highest representation, with three projects—6G4proQ, MechEye, and RACE-6G—focused on deploying intelligent automation systems in industrial settings using advanced edge AI and low-latency 5G/6G networks. These experiments explore how real-time anomaly detection, sensor fusion, and multi-agent coordination can reshape smart factories. From detecting metal cutting irregularities using deep learning (6G4proQ), to deploying AI-powered video analytics for industrial safety (MechEye), to orchestrating fleets of autonomous robots using large language models (RACE-6G), these projects reflect Europe’s push toward more intelligent, adaptable, and resilient manufacturing processes, powered by 6G connectivity and edge computing.

Education and Culture

While industrial automation dominated the call, education and culture also take the spotlight in several projects exploring how immersive XR can transform how we learn and engage with the world. The AViD-NMP and LEARN-6G projects both fall under Training and education, by using immersive platforms that support rich interaction and collaboration between distributed users. These experiments investigate how XR-enabled remote interaction—whether through holograms or networked music performance—can enable rich, real-time collaboration in education and training contexts.

Meanwhile, IMMVIEX explores the cultural dimension through Culture visits and events, by using immersive platforms that support real-time teleportation to a virtual place or an event, and rich interaction therein. The project delivers a virtual multi-user cultural tour using volumetric video, avatars, and live presenters—pushing the boundaries of what immersive tourism and cultural storytelling can become in the 6G era.

Mobility and Smart Infrastructure

Mobility and safety are also addressed through SafeDriveXR, the sole project selected under Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) in micromobility scenarios. The project develops a 5G/6G-enabled system that enhances driver awareness using real-time XR visualizations of traffic conditions, road hazards, and vulnerable road users. By combining Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS), adaptive XR interfaces, and low-latency communication, SafeDriveXR supports safer micromobility environments—aligning with the EU’s broader vision for scalable, intelligent CCAM deployments.

Complementing this, EVIT (Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Twin) advances infrastructure development under Smart Industry / Spaces, by using immersive platforms that support rich data sharing, manipulation of digital twins, and/or remote collaboration. The project applies AR, real-time 3D scanning, and IoT integration to support safer and more efficient deployment of EV charging stations, using 5G edge infrastructure to enable responsive, immersive installation guidance.

Immersive Visualization and Multimedia Streaming

Several awarded projects are pushing the boundaries of immersive visualization and multimedia streaming. FSXR addresses Visualization and data sharing; visualization of complex system and environment, real-time data dashboard in smart media, smart city, smart agriculture. The project tackles the challenge of running complex fluid simulations in XR environments by offloading computation and leveraging 6G-XR’s high-bandwidth, low-latency infrastructure to enable real-time rendering and interactivity.

Meanwhile, LCEVC-6G-XR explores how to boost holographic streaming performance through innovative codec enhancements under Full-fledged multimedia platforms / services providing new encoding and streaming solutions for Holographic Communications. The project integrates the MPEG-5 Low Complexity Enhancement Video Coding (LCEVC) standard to improve encoding efficiency and ensure backward compatibility—laying the groundwork for scalable, high-quality holographic communications over future 6G networks.

Building on Lessons from OC1 and OC2

While the early open calls were geared toward addressing foundational gaps in the 6G-XR testbeds—such as networking, RAN enablers, and XR media pipelines (OC1), or validating SNS JU Stream B enablers like deterministic communications and security mechanisms (OC2)—OC3 turns its attention squarely to vertical impact and real-world replicability.

OC1 emphasized platform-level enhancements, awarding projects like OpenCAMARA and MST to prototype multi-sensor XR solutions and API interoperability.
OC2 honed in on specific technology enablers, with projects like 6G REMIX and EMSEOS validating load balancing, Reflective Intelligent Surface (RIS), and slicing techniques.
OC3 now shifts the lens to applied use cases, reflecting a maturing 6G-XR ecosystem ready to support complex, end-user-driven experimentation.

The geographic distribution of OC3 project proposals is predominantly composed of submissions from southern European countries, while proposals received from eastern European countries also make up a considerable share. All the four 6G-XR testbeds—North Node (OULU, VTT), South Node (5TONIC, i2CAT)—are actively engaged, showcasing the project’s robust multi-site infrastructure.

A Testbed for the Future of 6G

From immersive virtual museum tours and collaborative music performances to real-time AI-driven quality control in manufacturing, the OC3 projects reflect the growing diversity and ambition of the 6G-XR community.

Together, they illustrate a key principle of 6G development: technology must not only be powerful and performant—it must also be deployable, measurable, and relevant to real-world needs. With Open Call 3, the 6G-XR project reaffirms its role as both a technology catalyst and a bridge to the future of vertical innovation.