Uncrewed Vehicles in 6G Networks: A Unifying Treatment of Problems, Formulations, and Tools

Uncrewed vehicles (UVs) functioning as autonomous agents are anticipated to play a crucial role in the sixth generation (6G) of wireless networks. Their seamless integration, cost-effectiveness, and additional controllability through motion planning make them an attractive deployment option for a wide range of applications, both as assets in the network e.g., mobile base stations (BSs) and as consumers of network services (e.g., autonomous delivery systems). However, despite their potential, the convergence of UVs and wireless systems brings forth numerous challenges that require attention from both academia and industry. This article then aims to offer a comprehensive overview, encompassing the transformative possibilities as well as the significant challenges associated with UV-assisted next-generation wireless communications. Considering the diverse landscape of possible application scenarios, problem formulations, and mathematical tools related to UV-assisted wireless systems, the underlying core theme of this article is the unification of the problem space, providing a structured framework to understand the use cases, problem formulations, and necessary mathematical tools. Overall, this article sets forth a clear understanding of how UVs can be integrated in the 6G ecosystem, paving the way toward harnessing the full potential at this intersection.