NTT Docomo showcases 6G wearable tech that shares sensations at MWC 2025

On the 5th (local time), at the 'Fia Gran Via' in Barcelona, Spain, the NTT Docomo exhibition booth was set up for the world's largest mobile exhibition, 'Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025.' As I sat down in a chair, a staff member handed me a round device in each hand. Then, a movie featuring a robot appeared on the TV in front of me, and as a small bird flew onto the robot's hand, I felt a slight vibration from the device I was holding. During a scene where the robot was running, the chair I was sitting in shook violently.

Japan's telecommunications company NTT Docomo has developed 'Feel Tech' technology, which allows users to experience the sensations of others, such as sight and touch, through wearable sensors. NTT Docomo explained that using 5G (fifth-generation mobile communication) and 6G (sixth-generation mobile communication) technologies, it can share the sensations that people in videos or others feel without delay. Feel Tech is expected to be widely used in fields where sensory experience is crucial, such as healthcare and the arts.

At MWC 2025, new concept wearable devices captured the attention of visitors. New technologies, such as 6G-based sensors that share the sensations of others and extended reality (XR) headsets that allow users to virtually explore museums, were introduced.

NTT Docomo unveiled a technology called 'NTT XR Real Support,' which allows users to share their field of view with others using XR glasses. In a scenario where a staff member responsible for cable repairs was looking for a malfunctioning part, another staff member remotely marked the faulty area with a circle while viewing the same scene. An NTT Docomo representative noted, 'This technology utilizes 5G technology to provide real-time service without speed delay and is expected to be broadly applied in both industry and entertainment fields, such as gaming.'

Taiwan's HTC introduced wearable technology that allows users to explore virtual spaces while wearing XR headsets. Visitors at the HTC booth were examining a virtually constructed medieval building while wearing XR headsets. Upon entering the building, visitors gasped and looked up at the sky, closely inspecting the structure. An HTC representative stated, 'This technology allows users to pre-assess their routes before visiting large facilities like museums.'

China's Honor unveiled a digital musical instrument powered by AI. As a visitor swung two sticks in the air at the Honor booth, a drum sound erupted from the speakers in front of them. Even when the visitor waved the sticks randomly, the AI accurately recognized the locations of the different drum sets, each producing distinct sounds.

Another visitor was holding a guitar-shaped device. When the visitor merely pretended to play by pressing the fretboard with their fingers, a complete song was heard. An Honor representative explained, 'The AI identifies the virtual locations of the drum sets and can autonomously create guitar pieces that match the desired scale, making it ideal for users who find it difficult to play instruments indoors.'

The American company IBM showcased AI-based technology for analyzing table tennis games. This technology analyzes the skills and gameplay of users holding table tennis rackets. As two visitors facing each other began their game, the screen instantly displayed the location where the ball hit the table and its trajectory. When the visitor on the left scored with a powerful smash, the numbers on the scoreboard changed. After the game, an analysis result was presented: 'Victor’s arm spun the ball at a speed of 8.4 miles per hour. Gus attempted to catch up, but with a swing speed of 5.5 miles per hour, he was no match.' IBM supplies this technology for major tennis tournaments such as the U.S. Open.

A representative from the information and communications technology (ICT) industry noted, 'Various products that surpass the limitations of existing wearable devices were unveiled at MWC 2025,' adding, 'This is an attempt to expand influence in the market based on extensive usability.'

The MWC 2025, held over four days starting from the 3rd, saw participation from 2,400 corporations from over 200 countries worldwide. The organizers estimate that the total number of visitors will approach 109,000. It is estimated that 8,000 corporate chief executive officers (CEOs) attended MWC 2025.