The future digital society will be built on intelligent communication networks capable of connecting industry, transportation, healthcare, and billions of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Researchers from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics of the Technical University of Košice (FEI TUKE) are actively contributing to this vision through the SmartEdge-NextGen 5G/6G project, which focuses on the development of next-generation communication technologies based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Edge Computing.

Funded under the Programme Slovakia 2021–2027, the project brings together academic institutions, technology companies, and a telecommunications operator to develop intelligent, reliable, and secure communication solutions ready to meet the demands of the future digital economy. The project outcomes are expected to support industrial automation, intelligent transportation systems, healthcare applications, logistics, and other areas where low latency, high reliability, and secure data transmission are essential.

A significant part of the project is devoted to the development of AI/ML algorithms for intelligent network management, data routing optimization, and efficient utilization of communication resources. Research teams will also investigate new approaches to Edge Computing integration, localization technologies, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications that will form the foundation of future 5G and 6G ecosystems.

FEI TUKE Contribution

Researchers from FEI TUKE are actively involved in:

• developing AI/ML algorithms for intelligent routing in IoT networks,

• optimizing routing protocols for 5G and future 6G applications,

• researching resilient multi-hop mobile networks,

• localization of mobile terminals in indoor and outdoor environments,

• testing next-generation communication technologies,

• developing solutions for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

Research activities are carried out in the Mobile Communications Laboratory, Computer Networks Laboratory, and on the private 5G infrastructure of UVP Technicom, which provides a unique environment for testing and validating advanced communication technologies under realistic conditions.

Expected Impact

The project is expected to:

• enable the deployment of at least 15 private 5G/6G networks in Slovakia,

• validate dozens of pilot solutions in industry, healthcare, and transportation,

• improve the efficiency of telecommunications and industrial infrastructure by up to 40%,

• create new AI-enabled services and digital solutions,

• strengthen collaboration between academia and industry,

• enhance the competitiveness of Slovak research and innovation.

The project will also create new opportunities for PhD students, early-stage researchers, and university students to participate in applied research with international impact while further strengthening FEI TUKE’s research capacities in telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things.

Project Information

Project Partners

• O2 Business Services, a. s.
• ambitas, s. r. o.
• MBCD s.r.o.
• Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
• Technical University of Košice

Contact

Assoc. Prof. Ján Papaj, PhD.
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics
Technical University of Košice