IoT-ZERO develops sensing and connectivity technologies and architectures to enable the advent of (close to) zero energy devices. We target the development of breakthrough innovations in ultra-low-power and (close to) zero energy IoT systems for sustainable and scalable 6G applications. The project aims to radically enhance the energy efficiency, autonomy, and intelligence of IoT devices, while ensuring secure, resilient, and seamless connectivity across terrestrial (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN). To achieve this, the consortium will deliver a Unified 6G-ready Energy-Aware Architecture with cross-layer energy lifecycle models, digital-twin validation, and observability/brokerage functions to enable (close to) zero energy operations and seamless TN-NTN integration for future-proof asset tracking and long-term deployments.

Second, Secure, Ultra-Low-Power Communication and Networking delivers adaptive, asynchronous protocols and lightweight physical-layer security, and integrates ambient backscatter to keep reliable connectivity across TN and NTN even for intermittently powered, battery-less nodes. Third, Neuromorphic and Event-Driven Sensing brings spike-based encoders, transceivers, and embedded SNN inference to achieve sub-milliwatt, event-proportional intelligence on the device. We prototype battery-less and energy harvesting IoT modules that make long-life, maintenance-free deployments feasible. IoT-ZERO serves Europe’s asset-heavy enterprises such as logistics, manufacturing, utilities, and cities, demonstrating via a flagship TN–NTN asset-tracking PoC that self-powered, event-driven tags provide coverage continuity while reducing OPEX and CO2.

By embedding NTN support into its (close to) zero energy framework, IoT-ZERO extends reach to underserved, rural, and mobile contexts while maintaining its primary focus on energy autonomy. In doing so, it provides validated KPIs and standard-aligned building blocks that can guide operator and vendor roadmaps.