Ericsson Collaborates with KTH and NTU to Jointly Research AI-driven Trusted 6G Positioning
Researchers from two of the world’s most prestigious engineering schools, the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Sweden and Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore), are collaborating under a research and innovation program led by Ericsson to explore new positioning technologies and solutions empowered by artificial intelligence (AI) and 6G.
This multi-year research and innovation program will explore how AI and 6G can drive the development of secure, reliable, and trustworthy autonomous systems that outperform existing solutions in complex indoor and outdoor environments, including non line of sight scenarios.
The fields of healthcare, airports, ports, manufacturing, logistics, smart cities, and critical task communication such as emergency response may all benefit from secure, reliable, and trustworthy positioning capabilities, which can provide support for robots, drones, and other autonomous and physical AI systems.
The research project is titled “Trusted 6G Localization in Complex Environments: A Data Driven Approach” and will combine mature localization methods with AI and automated antenna calibration.
In addition to coordinating the project, Ericsson will also provide commercial and research grade mobile positioning technology, testing environments, network expertise, and standardized insights. The project will be officially launched in November 2026.
KTH will lead the development of AI and algorithms, while Nanyang Technological University in Singapore will rely on its Advanced Robotics Innovation Center to contribute professional expertise in robotics technology, sensor fusion, positioning, and machine learning.
Karl H Johansson, Director of Digital Future at KTH and Professor of Decision and Control Systems, said, “Future autonomous systems not only require precise positioning, but also need to remain reliable and trustworthy in harsh environments. This project allows us to gather the complementary expertise of KTH and Nanyang Technological University to test a new AI positioning method in real 5G/6G environments in Sweden and Singapore. In addition to the technology itself, we value building a long-term research bridge between the two countries and creating new opportunities for cooperation in the fields of 6G, robotics, and autonomous systems. “
Professor Shirley Meng, Vice President (Industry Affairs) of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said, “The greatest value can only be created when research goes beyond the laboratory and solves real-world challenges. Looking ahead to the next generation of wireless connectivity, close collaboration between universities and industry is crucial for transforming 6G technology into scalable solutions. This program brings together the strengths of Nanyang Technological University in robotics and advanced sensing, KTH’s expertise in AI and algorithm development, and Ericsson’s leading position in the field of mobile networks. By combining complementary advantages, we can bridge the gap between research and industry demand, accelerate the development of practical 6G applications, and open up new possibilities for autonomous systems in various industries.”
Erik Ekudden, Chief Technology Officer of Ericsson, stated that “precise, reliable, and trustworthy positioning capabilities are key to the development of emerging and evolving use cases in 6G networks by 2030 and beyond. “
He added, ‘5G has achieved more precise positioning and increasingly automated operations.’. As we evolve from 5G to 6G, AI、 The advancement in perception and mobile connectivity will make positioning more accurate, secure, reliable, and trustworthy, thereby helping drones, robots, and other autonomous and physical AI systems operate safely in complex environments. By combining Ericsson’s technology and standardization expertise with world-class research from KTH and Nanyang Technological University, this collaboration will help transform this potential into a capability with real business and social impact. “
This release coincides with Singapore’s state visit to Sweden, where the two governments signed a joint statement focusing on trusted technologies at Ericsson’s Stockholm headquarters.
His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden and Singapore’s President Shandaman attended the signing ceremony of the joint statement. This visit was hosted by Per Narvinger, President and CEO of Ericsson.
The collaborative research between Ericsson, KTH, and Nanyang Technological University also aims to strengthen cooperation between Sweden and Singapore, while providing reference for the 3GPP 6G standardization process. This plan has received support from the Swedish Innovation Agency Vinnova.