Samsung and Verizon test ISAC capabilities in Dallas

Press Release: Posted by Harry Baldock: Showcasing the industry’s first AI-powered ISAC trial on vRAN, the companies proved how sensing networks enable real-time intelligence for large-scale events

Samsung Electronics and Verizon have successfully completed an Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) trial at a major international soccer fan event in Dallas, Texas, enabling real-time sensing-driven intelligence across a virtualized network. This landmark milestone represents one of the industry’s first practical implementations of a key technology for 6G, signaling how operators are leveraging software-driven network architectures to create infrastructure that actively perceives, understands, and responds to their environment — moving beyond connectivity.

The groundbreaking field trial reinforces the value of the strategic partnership between Samsung and Verizon. Operating one of the world’s largest commercial virtualized networks, Verizon has led the charge in deploying a software-driven, AI-powered virtualized RAN (vRAN). This laid the foundation for a 6G-ready platform necessary to bring experimental use cases from concept to real-world validation — highlighting the flexibility of Samsung’s adaptable vRAN, which enables operators to introduce new capabilities like ISAC from day one by leveraging the commercial network they already run.

In the ISAC trial, Samsung integrated commercial AI-powered vRAN and vCore with an ISAC application, deploying them on its Network in a Server (NIS) — an end-to-end software-driven edge-AI platform that consolidates all network functions and accelerated compute into a single server. This allowed the ISAC trial to leverage connectivity from a 5G network without the need for any additional equipment.

Acting as a sensing receiver, a CBRS radio unit using 40 MHz of spectrum mounted on a Verizon Cell-On-Wheels (COW) captured channel variations in transmissions from a commercial 5G device. Samsung’s NIS then analyzed this real-time data, utilizing the accelerated compute to extract actionable insights that are visualized as a crowd density heatmap that changes in near-real time to reflect people’s movements.

Operating live at the event, the ISAC system used wireless signals as a sensing basis to automatically identify crowded areas within the venue, proving how sensing capabilities can enhance event management and the visitor experience across multiple stakeholder groups:Attendees: Locate less congested food facilities and services, improving access and reducing wait times.

Event Organizers: Gain real-time visibility into crowd distribution and facility usage, enabling rapid resource deployment and operational optimization.

Security and Government Organizations: Detect emerging risks like overcrowding conditions, enabling early intervention to facilitate crowd control and prevent other public safety incidents.

The achievement reflects the synergy between Samsung’s commercial technologies and its advanced research in accelerating the path to 6G. The company’s efforts include its commercially proven vRAN software on the edge-AI platform NIS, and Samsung Research America’s (SRA) cutting-edge AI-driven ISAC solution.

“Verizon’s strategy has always been focused on building an intelligent, AI-native network that translates into meaningful real-world value for our customers,” said Yago Tenorio, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Technology Development at Verizon. “Our early investments in flexible, software-driven vRAN architecture are paying off today, giving us the agility to engineer and trial groundbreaking 6G concepts like ISAC over our existing infrastructure. This field trial with Samsung proves that the network of the future will do far more than just transfer data — it will actively perceive and interact with its environment to transform venue management and public safety.”

“This successful ISAC trial underscores how Verizon’s decision to adopt a software-driven, AI-powered vRAN early on laid a solid foundation, positioning the company at the forefront of the 6G journey,” said Ji-Yun Seol, Executive Vice President and Head of Product Strategy, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics. “With this approach, forward-thinking operators like Verizon are unlocking untapped potential, spearheading the shift toward a new era where unprecedented services, devices, and use cases converge on next-generation networks.”

“This ISAC trial marks a significant leap forward in integrating AI-driven sensing capabilities into network infrastructure, showcasing the transformative potential of 6G technologies,” said Charlie Zhang, Executive Vice President at Samsung Research America. “By combining Verizon’s innovative approach with Samsung’s advanced vRAN solutions, we’ve demonstrated the practical application of ISAC in a real-world scenario to enhance safety, efficiency, and user experience. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in next-generation wireless networks.”

As a founding member of the Verizon 6G Innovation Forum, Samsung is exploring new use cases to advance innovation, research initiatives, and the overall charter of the consortium. The company continues to work alongside visionary partners to deliver transformative technologies and drive the transition to 6G.Samsung Networks has pioneered the successful delivery of 5G end-to-end solutions, including chipsets, radios, and cores. Through ongoing research and development, Samsung is driving the industry to advance 5G networks and paving the way for 6G and beyond with its market-leading product portfolio, from purpose-built RAN, vRAN, Open RAN, AI RAN, and cloud-native core to private network solutions and AI-powered automation tools (CognitiV NOS). The company currently provides innovative network solutions to mobile operators that deliver boundless connectivity to hundreds of millions of users worldwide. Samsung and Verizon test ISAC capabilities in Dallas

Read More........→September 25, 2026

Cataract Surgery Restores Sight for 54-Year-Old Chimpanzee–the First Such Procedure at Chimp Haven

Pierre the Chimp recovering from cataract surgery – credit, Chimp Haven, supplied

After becoming completely blind from cataracts, a 54-year-old chimpanzee named Pierre is seeing again following a successful surgery at Chimp Haven, the world’s largest chimpanzee sanctuary.

The procedure, the first cataract surgery performed for a resident at Chimp Haven, restored functional sight and allowed Pierre to quickly begin reconnecting with the people, chimpanzees, and activities familiar to him.

As Pierre’s vision had declined, caregivers adapted his daily routines and environment to help him continue navigating as independently as possible. Staff used sound cues and specialized feeding approaches and added handholds, ladders and other supports to areas Pierre used regularly.

Eventually though, it was agreed that a surgical procedure was necessary, something which would require months of preparation.

In preparation for his recovery and potential post-operative needs, the team used positive reinforcement training to teach Pierre to voluntarily present his eyes for care, including positioning that would allow staff to administer eyedrops and closely monitor his eyes if needed. Pierre learned to participate in this care while he was still blind, helping the team prepare to safely provide treatment without compromising his comfort or welfare.

A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, Dr. Kenneth Pierce, performed the procedure to remove cataracts from Pierre’s eyes. The results were noticeable almost immediately.

Within hours of surgery, he was responding visually to a longtime caregiver, and within days he was reuniting with Jill, one of his closest chimpanzee companions. Pierre was ultimately able to return to his social group earlier than initially expected.

Scenes from Pierre’s surgery – credit, Chimp Haven, supplied

“Pierre’s recovery is a wonderful example of what individualized care can look like for an aging chimpanzee,” said Dr. DaShaunté Coleman, veterinarian at Chimp Haven.

“The surgery itself was only one part of the process. Months of preparation and collaboration across our care teams helped ensure Pierre was comfortable participating in any follow-up care that might be needed and gave him the best opportunity for a successful recovery.”

Among the first people Pierre saw was Colony Director Michelle Reininger, who has known and cared for him for more than 25 years.

“Watching Pierre look at me again was something I will never forget,” Reininger said.

As lately as the 1980s, chimpanzees were still widely subjected to medical research trials in the US through captive breeding programs. Ethical debates about this practice became more common as the years went on, while at the same time the National Institutes of Health was required to care for an ever greater number of captive chimps and the complex full-time care they need to thrive.

Varied groups proposed a species-specific sanctuary for chimps of all ages retired from medical research, and in 2000, the Caddo Parish Commission in Northwest Louisiana donated 200 wooded acres of the Eddie D. Jones Nature Park to build the new facility.

Chimp Haven has been providing hundreds of chimpanzees ever since with a large territory to live enriched and fulfilling lives, which includes sophisticated medical care such as what Pierre received.

“Every chimpanzee ages differently, just like people do,” Dr. Coleman said in a statement. “Our goal is to understand what each individual needs and help them remain comfortable, active and connected to their social group as they age.”“In Pierre’s case, months of preparation made it possible for him to receive this specialized care and get back to the routines and relationships that are important to him.” Cataract Surgery Restores Sight for 54-Year-Old Chimpanzee–the First Such Procedure at Chimp Haven

Read More........→September 23, 2026