Toward 6G-Enabled Robots - A Case Study of Cooperative Multi-Quadrotor 3-D Mapping

Hong Chen; Asad Hussain; Elyas Meziane; Periklis Chatzimisios; Sharief Oteafy; Jaeho Lee; Bao Nguyen; Sajad Saeedi; Howard Li

doi:10.1109/MCOMSTD.2025.3632897

Toward 6G-Enabled Robots - A Case Study of Cooperative Multi-Quadrotor 3-D Mapping

Hong Chen
, Asad Hussain
, Elyas Meziane
, Periklis Chatzimisios
, Sharief Oteafy
, Jaeho Lee
, Bao Nguyen
, Sajad Saeedi
, Howard Li

School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

University of New Brunswick
International Hellenic University
University of New Mexico
DePaul University
Defence Research and Development Canada
University College London

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive framework for 6G-enabled cooperative robotics, focusing on decentralized multi-robot Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). We propose standardized communication protocols, data formats, and architectural principles to enable seamless real-time collaboration among robotic agents. A feature-based map representation is introduced to facilitate efficient and lightweight data exchange, while 6G network slicing is leveraged to ensure ultra-reliable, low-latency communication for both control and mapping traffic. We implement a decentralized multi-quadrotor SLAM system for feature tracking, validated through 3D simulations in a dynamic environment. Results demonstrate successful collaborative mapping and localization despite sensor noise and intermittent communication. The study highlights the transformative potential of 6G in enabling scalable, reliable, and efficient cooperative robotic systems.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	254-262
Number of pages	9
Journal	IEEE Communications Standards Magazine
Volume	10
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/MCOMSTD.2025.3632897
State	Published - 1 Jun 2026

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10.1109/MCOMSTD.2025.3632897

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title = "Toward 6G-Enabled Robots - A Case Study of Cooperative Multi-Quadrotor 3-D Mapping",

abstract = "This paper presents a comprehensive framework for 6G-enabled cooperative robotics, focusing on decentralized multi-robot Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). We propose standardized communication protocols, data formats, and architectural principles to enable seamless real-time collaboration among robotic agents. A feature-based map representation is introduced to facilitate efficient and lightweight data exchange, while 6G network slicing is leveraged to ensure ultra-reliable, low-latency communication for both control and mapping traffic. We implement a decentralized multi-quadrotor SLAM system for feature tracking, validated through 3D simulations in a dynamic environment. Results demonstrate successful collaborative mapping and localization despite sensor noise and intermittent communication. The study highlights the transformative potential of 6G in enabling scalable, reliable, and efficient cooperative robotic systems.",

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AU - Chen, Hong

AU - Hussain, Asad

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AU - Chatzimisios, Periklis

AU - Oteafy, Sharief

AU - Lee, Jaeho

AU - Nguyen, Bao

AU - Saeedi, Sajad

AU - Li, Howard

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Toward 6G-Enabled Robots - A Case Study of Cooperative Multi-Quadrotor 3-D Mapping

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