IoT-ZERO project launched to advance near-zero-energy IoT for the 6G era

A new European research and innovation project, IoT-ZERO (Secure Event-Driven TN–NTN Connectivity and Sensing for Near-Zero-Energy IoT), was launched in June 2026 to develop the sensing and connectivity technologies needed to power the next generation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices with near-zero energy consumption. Coordinated by TU Wien, the project brings together 10 partners from 8 European countries and will run until May 2029.

As billions of connected devices are expected to support future digital services across industries, reducing energy consumption and maintenance requirements has become a critical challenge. IoT-ZERO addresses this challenge by developing technologies that enable battery-free, energy-harvesting IoT devices capable of operating reliably for extended periods without battery replacement or regular maintenance.

The project combines three key technological building blocks: event-driven neuromorphic sensing, asynchronous secure communications, and seamless integration between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (TN-NTN), including satellite connectivity. Together, these innovations aim to support self-powered IoT deployments that are more sustainable, resilient, and scalable than today's solutions.

A central ambition of IoT-ZERO is to enable a new generation of ultra-low-power and battery-less IoT devices. By combining energy-harvesting technologies with advanced communication architectures and intelligent resource management techniques, the project seeks to lay the foundation for IoT infrastructures capable of operating autonomously for years while reducing operational costs and environmental impact.

The IoT-ZERO kick-off meeting took place in Vienna from 17 to 19 June 2026, bringing together the entire consortium for the first time. During the three-day meeting, project partners aligned the scientific and technical roadmap and established the foundations for collaboration throughout the project's three-year duration.

LMT Group participates as a project partner and leads the work package focused on Architecture, Lifecycle Modelling and Energy Management for Near-Zero-Energy IoT. Within the project, LMT Group focuses on improving the energy efficiency, autonomy, and intelligence of IoT devices by combining the technological capabilities of terrestrial and satellite networks.

IoT-ZERO has received funding from the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking under the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101292662.

The IoT-ZERO consortium includes: Technische Universität Wien, Thales DIS France SAS, Lasting Software SRL, Technische Universiteit Delft, Fundación IMDEA Networks, Slovenská Technická Univerzita v Bratislave, Sensoneo j.s.a., Thales SIX GTS France SAS, Qascom SRL, and Latvijas Mobilais Telefons SIA (LMT).