VINES | Mission Critical Semantic Communications in NextG Networks for Smart Manufacturing

3-year US-Finland joint project on the application of foundational semantic communication to private networking technologies, spatial AI, and robotics

  • Funded by: Business Finland and National Science Foundation, US
  • Partners: Aalto University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stevens Institute of Technology, Nokia Bell Lab, Ponsse, Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe (MLE)
  • Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • Budget: 877k€ for Aalto (funded at 70%)
  • Period: Jul 2026–Jun 2029
  • Funding decision: 780/31/2026

abstract

The project pioneers mission-critical semantic communications for intelligent work machines operating in complex industrial environments. By integrating next-generation (NextG) wireless networks, artificial intelligence, and robotics, the project aims to enhance situational awareness, safety, and operational efficiency in smart factories, warehouses, and forestry operations. The Finnish consortium, led by Aalto University in collaboration with Ponsse, Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe (MLE), and Nokia, will develop and demonstrate semantic communication technologies that enable machines to understand and reason about their environments. These technologies will be tested in real-world scenarios, including forklift coordination in logistics, planning in forestry, and inventory tracking in advanced manufacturing facilities. The project introduces a novel communication paradigm where only semantically relevant information is transmitted, reducing bandwidth needs while improving decision-making. This enables more responsive and energy-efficient robotic systems. The research will also explore human-robot interaction through natural language interfaces powered by large language models.