Guest Editorial: Special Issue on “6G Enabled Intelligent Edge Computing and Human-Centric IoT”

Abstract

The 6G network, aiming for commercialization around 2030, is the next-generation communication technology expected to achieve ultra-high-speed transmission (up to 1 Tbps), ultra-low latency (0.1 ms), and massive device connectivity (100 million devices/km²), surpassing current 5G capabilities. This network environment is anticipated to integrate mobile broadband, massive machine-type communications, high-reliability low-latency services, and advanced sensing functions. Additionally, it will connect fog/edge computing with core computing via communication, establishing a new infrastructure. Such convergence is expected to maximize real-time data processing and decision-making efficiency, with broad applications in fields like autonomous vehicles, smart cities, healthcare, telemedicine, and human-centric IoT. Edge computing, in particular, reduces latency and energy consumption by preprocessing collected data at edge nodes instead of transmitting it to a central cloud. Human-centric IoT, designed around user experience and ethical frameworks, enhances applicability, convenience, and efficiency across domains such as smart homes/offices, transportation, healthcare, and precision agriculture. Furthermore, in the 6G ecosystem, holographic video calls and high-definition 360° VR meetings could enable vivid communication akin to sharing the same physical space, even for geographically distant participants. This special issue has three papers.