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IPCEI Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services Europe on the path to the cloud infrastructure of the future

Introduction

ipcei-cis-Europa-Grafik-englsich

IPCEI-CIS (IPCEI Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services) is the key digital policy project aimed at strengthening Europe's digital and technological sovereignty. Launched under the German Council Presidency, 12 Member States are currently working together to build a powerful and sustainable first-ever “Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum”. More than 100 partners in the Europe Union are involved in this project.

The IPCEI-CIS creates a “Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum” without being tied to a single provider. In terms of interoperability, portability and scalability, an advanced digital infrastructure is being developed that will significantly revolutionize current offerings on cloud and edge markets, which are dominated by third-party providers. This will enable the seamless integration of a variety of different new data processing solutions in the European Union in just a few years to support novel applications such as autonomous driving.

The “Cloud-Edge Continuum” refers to the seamless integration of edge and cloud computing to enable new ways and optimised data processing and storage in distributed networks. Depending on their requirements, data and applications are placed at the edge locations (close to the end devices) or in the cloud. This enables faster processing of real-time data at the edge of the network, while fewer time- and security-critical tasks are performed in the cloud. The novel “Cloud-Edge Continuum” is critical for applications where low latency and high speeds are required.

The IPCEI-CIS briefly explained

How the IPCEI-CIS will strengthen Europe's prosperity and competitiveness

What is at stake?

The cloud market is currently dominated by a few large companies from third countries, while European providers are highly fragmented and account for less than 13% of the global market. This leads to issues such as a lack of scalability, interoperability and transparency in the offerings. This situation has a negative impact on competition and hinders the full utilisation of the high innovation potential of the European economy.


Current surveys show that companies increasingly want to work with European providers. According to an IDC study, 95% of companies consider it a problem to manage unstructured data. 42% find it very worrying that the market is dominated by American players. European industry's demands on cloud infrastructure are constantly increasing, especially in areas such as real-time capability in industry and for autonomous driving. At the same time, data security and compliance with the European General Data Protection Regulation are of great importance to companies. In order to strengthen the competitiveness of the European economy, the IPCEI-CIS was launched as a project of the highest strategic relevance and an essential part of the implementation of the European industrial strategy.

Goals

What do we want to achieve?

With the IPCEI-CIS, we want to build a high-performance cloud-edge infrastructure based on European values and ensure European competitiveness in the digital environment in the long term. The core aim is to create an overarching “Cloud-Edge Continuum” that is not tied to individual providers. This is to be achieved on the basis of a common technological foundation for energy-saving, climate-neutral, highly efficient, automated and interconnected services. In this way, we want to decisively strengthen digital sovereignty and data portability for Europe.

To ensure that the IPCEI-CIS will achieve these goals, the projects will place a particular focus on interoperability, sustainability, cybersecurity and standardisation.

Standardisation

A key objective is to create synergies through various measures, including the review of existing and emerging standards in the IPCEI technology stack, close cooperation with standardisation organisations such as CEN/CENELEC and ETSI, the development of reference implementations and the provision of open source results in accordance with common open source software licences.

Interoperability

The IPCEI-CIS aims to create innovative data processing solutions that rely on connectivity between data, sufficient bandwidth availability and ultra low latency. We achieve this by linking European data storage in a network of cloud and edge service providers and operating them in a decentralised manner. At the same time, we are improving the scalability and interoperability of application software and data originating from different infrastructure providers. The IPCEI-CIS thus makes an important contribution to the objectives of the European Data Strategy, in particular to the establishment of data processing activities of the High-Impact Project (HIP) on European data spaces and federated cloud infrastructures and services.

Sustainability (energy efficiency)

The IPCEI-CIS aims to integrate digital infrastructures into energy management in order to promote a sustainable EU digitalisation. This is done in line with the European Green Deal by developing green technologies along the value chain. Cloud-edge computing is crucial here and enables innovation in areas such as computing, data storage, communication and heat dissipation. Potential use cases include improved cooling for data centres, efficient use of waste heat and renewable energy technologies.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is critical for trust, traceability, resilience and reliability in the multi-provider cloud edge continuum. We rely on identity management, robust encryption technologies and EUCC-certified hardware. Our goal: to develop AI-optimised security solutions for the next-generation cloud edge in diverse cloud environments. In this way, IPCEI-CIS contributes to the objectives of the EU Cybersecurity Act.

Cloud-Edge Continuum

What is a “Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum”?

A cloud is an external data storage facility that provides resources via the internet. Cloud computing offers numerous advantages, including scalability, flexibility and cost efficiency. However, cloud access is dependent on internet access and real-time data transfer is not possible due to the distance between servers. Edge computing, on the other hand, brings computing power closer to the data source, reduces latency times and offers advantages such as lower data transfer costs. In addition, data can be processed securely at the point of origin. However, edge resources are much more limited. The “Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum” represents a seamless integration of cloud and edge computing. Resources and applications are moved both to the cloud and to the edge of the network. This enables dynamic distribution of data processing tasks as required.

In this way, performance can be optimised using the cloud-edge continuum. The “Cloud-Edge Continuum” also enables greater adaptability to the specific requirements of an application. It offers both the ultra-low latency and real-time processing of edge technology as well as the scalability and resource diversity of the cloud.

Project contributors

Who is contributing?

A total of twelve member states are participating in IPCEI-CIS under the co-ordination of France and Germany. Over 100 partners in Europe are involved in this project, which has a total investment of around three billion euros. The project is being carried out in close co-operation with DG Connect (Directorate-General for Communication Networks) of the European Commission.

Facts and figures about IPCEI-CIS

3.5
Symbolicon für Münzen

billion euros
will be made available for projects across Europe

113
Symbolicon für Bürogebäude

projects by companies & research institutions
are involved in IPCEI-CIS throughout Europe

12
Symbolicon für Besprechung

EU countries
participate in the IPCEI-CIS

Projects

The participating European projects at a glance

There are currently about 120 projects in the starting blocks

The IPCEI-CIS launched around 120 European projects in December 2023. The projects cover the entire cloud edge IoT value chain – from cloud-edge continuum infrastructure and capabilities to data processing. Use cases in the fields of mobility, energy, industry and healthcare will bring the results to their first industrial application. In addition, overarching cooperation across the various European member states is a top priority. This ensures that an integrated, pan-European and application-orientated cloud infrastructure can be created.

Belgium

Engie Laborelec, Smatch 2.0

The SMATCH 2.0 research project aims to contribute to the development of smart charging of electric vehicles, thereby coupling the drivers needs and local/market energy constraints. It focuses especially on interoperability, algorithms for optimization and forecasting and architecture for massive scale-up.

ThreeFold Tech NV

Project description will be available soon.

Croatia

Infobip d.o.o, The Next Generation Communication Platform

Infobip's desire is to create an AI-driven next-generation communication platform that aims to reshape the communication technology landscape by integrating artificial intelligence (AI), optimizing energy consumption, and democratizing digital transformation. This visionary initiative stems from a commitment to meet the evolving needs of society and push technological innovation forward. This project represents a strategic investment in the economic growth and competitiveness of Europe. In line with the digital priorities of the European Commission and the goals of the Digital Compass for 2030, Infobip's next-generation communication platform plays a key role in shaping the future of messaging and communication. Working with reputable partners, including Deutsche Telekom AG, the University of Twente and other relevant institutions, the goal is to foster innovation, inclusiveness and address current social and economic challenges in Europe.

France

Amadeus S.A.S

Project description will be available soon.

Armadillo

Armadillo Logo

Armadillo is specialized in management of structured and unstructured data. In the E2CC project, Armadillo will improve AI with innovative post-processing algorithms designed for Edge architectures. These algorithms will cross tag probabilities with tag hierarchies allowing to bring out the power of neural networks, making AI systems smaller and adaptive to the application domains without relearning. This contribution will then unblock the deployment of many heavy IA algorithms on compact and scattered architectures as are the Edge nodes of the E2CC project.

Amiral Technologies

As partner of Atos in the E2CC project, Amiral Technologies will develop, adapt and enhance some components of DiagFit, its blind failure prediction flagship software, to enable its efficient and smooth operation in an edge to cloud environment. Goal is to take advantage of hybrid environment (edge and cloud) by optimising data storage, data transmission, processing power usage allowed by such hybrid architecture versus an edge-only or cloud-only environments.

Atos, E2CC

It is today of critical importance to combine the rise of Cloud technologies with the development of edge computing, to enable efficient, secured and sustainable data processing on the Cloud-Edge continuum. The main goal of the E2CC project is to deliver an end-to-end Cloud-Edge platform enabling easy integration of infrastructure products, providing cybersecurity and AI/MLOps capabilities, and ensuring interoperability, portability and non-vendor lock-in. Main technology innovations are about infrastructure integration (APIs, Monitoring & Management software, standard/rules), Cloud to Edge orchestration, distributed and trusted AI/MLOps capabilities, sustainability (decarbonization), and Cloud enabled cybersecurity services (prescriptive IAM as a services, Identity of Objects, MxDR, data protection…).

CGI France, E2CC

In the modern era of computing, the adoption of edge computing has revolutionized the way we process data by bringing computing closer to the edge. The judicious integration of containerization technology into these environments offers flexibility, portability and efficient application management, paving the way for agile, optimized IT solutions at the network edge.
As part of the E2CC project, CGI is proposing a new solution to optimize the orchestration of Kubernetes containers in the Cloud to Edge continuum, responding to users' CSR/Digital Responsibility challenges. CGI also offers a new Kubernetes cluster resource management solution to address the issue of energy frugality, one of the major challenges of our future. It is becoming increasingly necessary for companies to optimize the management of their IT resources to reduce energy consumption and limit the environmental impact of their production activities. CGI's objective is to offer a range of solutions that address energy constraints and resource utilization costs by considering several factors. CGI also plans to offer a new approach that automatically detects application execution failures (anomalies) to improve user satisfaction.

CNRS IRISA, E2CC

It is today of critical importance to combine the rise of cloud-technologies with the development of edge computing, to enable efficient, secured and sustainable data processing on the Cloud-Edge continuum. The main goal of the E2CC project is to deliver an end-to-end Cloud-Edge platform enabling easy integration of infrastructure products, providing cybersecurity and AI / Machine Learning Operations capabilities, and ensuring interoperability, portability and non-vendor lock-in. Main technology innovations are about infrastructure integration (APIs, Monitoring & Management software, standard/rules), Cloud to Edge orchestration, Distributed and trusted AI/MLOps capabilities, sustainability (decarbonization), and Cloud enabled cybersecurity services.

CNRS IRIT SEPIA, E2CC

The E2CC project aims to provide a standardized integration layer from Edge to Cloud, constituting a technological repository enabling interconnection with Cloud providers and ensuring functions relating to cybersecurity, decarbonization and orchestration. Hardware and software solutions will be provided at Bare Metal as a Service (BMaaS) and Edge levels, to support applications expressing needs in terms of performance, security and energy efficiency. CNRS IRIT will contribute in three areas: (i), energy through resource elasticity, orchestration and monitoring; (ii), virtualization (micro-VM, container); and (iii), standardization of IoT services.

CNRS LAAS, E2CC

It is today of critical importance to combine the rise of cloud-technologies with the development of edge computing, to enable efficient, secured and sustainable data processing on the Cloud-Edge continuum. The main goal of the E2CC project is to deliver an end-to-end Cloud-Edge platform enabling easy integration of infrastructure products, providing cybersecurity and AI / Machine Learning Operations capabilities, and ensuring interoperability, portability and non-vendor lock-in. Main technology innovations are about infrastructure integration (APIs, Monitoring & Management software, standard/rules), Cloud to Edge orchestration, Distributed and trusted AI/MLOps capabilities, sustainability (decarbonization), and Cloud enabled cybersecurity services.

CNRS UT3 IRIT SEPIA

Project description will be available soon.

CNRS UT3 IRIT SEPIA

Project description will be available soon.

INRIA LILLE - Nord Europe

Project description will be available soon.

INRIA NANCY - GRAND EST

Project description will be available soon.

Institut Imagine, AI For Rare Diseases Pathogenicity

The E2CC-AI4RDP project aims to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of rare diseases using computational approaches and cutting-edge developments based on large-scale analysis of healthcare Big Data coupled with Artificial Intelligence (AI). It involves the development and validation of security and access protocols, learning algorithms and robust AI based on federated learning.

Lacroix Group (Lacroix Electronics Cesson and Lacroix Sofrel)

The Lacroix Group develops a management platform, LX Connect, providing access to data of about 15000 devices, that may be used for cross data management with other E2CC use cases. It is using K8S to deploy Edge MEC services or Data Center or Cloud services. Lacroix contribution to E2CC is foreseen on several topics: (i) Development of IoT device management modules which will help E2CC to control field IoT devices following an end-to-end approach, (ii) Development of AI / Machine Leaning modules for the remote control of critical infrastructure, and (iii) handling the use case on water network management combining AI and local data processing, leveraging the device management and data sharing modules and providing some AI model related to anomaly detection.

No Blue Screen System, E2CC

It is today of critical importance to combine the rise of Cloud technologies with the development of edge computing, to enable efficient, secured and sustainable data processing on the Cloud-Edge continuum. The main goal of the E2CC project is to deliver an end-to-end Cloud-Edge platform enabling easy integration of infrastructure products, providing cybersecurity and AI / Machine Learning Operation (MLOps) capabilities, and ensuring interoperability, portability and non vendor lock-in. Main technology innovations are about infrastructure integration (APIs, Monitoring & Management software, standard/rules), Cloud to Edge orchestration, Distributed and trusted AI/MLOps capabilities, sustainability (decarbonization), and Cloud enabled cybersecurity services.

No Blue Screen System

It is today of critical importance to combine the rise of Cloud technologies with the development of edge computing, to enable efficient, secured and sustainable data processing on the Cloud-Edge continuum. The main goal of the E2CC project is to deliver an end-to-end Cloud-Edge platform enabling easy integration of infrastructure products, providing cybersecurity and AI / Machine Learning Operation (MLOps) capabilities, and ensuring interoperability, portability and non vendor lock-in. Main technology innovations are about infrastructure integration (APIs, Monitoring & Management software, standard/rules), Cloud to Edge orchestration, Distributed and trusted AI/MLOps capabilities, sustainability (decarbonization), and Cloud enabled cybersecurity services.

Ningaloo SARL, E2CC

For the E2CC project, Ningaloo will develop algorithms working on timed data coming from fluvial, rainfall or seismic sensors. These analysis will allow to detect abnormal situations in the readings, correct inaccurate or incomplete data, and extrapolate current measures to anticipate problematic situations. Algorithms developed by Ningaloo will be deployed on the two sides of the E2CC architecture: on the Cloud side, an innovative algorithm to efficiently compute correlations between readings in order to build and keep up to date a sensor net-work model; on the Edge side, correction and prediction algorithms based on the network model automatically propagated on the E2CC architecture.

Orange, Telco Cloud

Orange's IPCEI on Cloud Infrastructure and Services project is a transformative initiative aimed at revolutionizing cloud and edge computing across Europe, enhancing digital sovereignty, and promoting sustainable technological growth. This project is crucial for society as it supports the digital transformation of businesses and ensures secure, energy-efficient cloud services that align with European values and environmental goals. The major goals include the development of an Open-Source Telco Cloud Stack, an agile information system, and advanced tools for smart data processing and energy efficiency, targeting both network softwarization and user-centric digital services. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies like cloud-native solutions, AI for anomaly detection, and energy-saving measures for data centers, the project stands at the forefront of innovation, setting new standards for interoperability and sustainability in the cloud sector.

ProvenRun, E2CC

ProvenRun has already developed a Proof-of-Concept (PoC) to demonstrate how ProvenCore, ProvenRun’s ultra-secure microkernel, can be used to secure an HPC Baseboard Management Controller (BMC). As part of the E2CC project, a complete industrialization of the PoC will be conducted in order to integrate the ProvenCore’s BMC secure solution in the Atos Edge and HPC line of server products. Leveraging on this integration, the chain of trust will be extended beyond the BMC to address the other processing units (CPU and GPU). The certification of the BMC chain of trust implementation will be prepared. A firmware attestation mechanism, a keystore service and a TPM integration or emulation will be developed. In addition, ProvenRun will investigate how ProvenCore could be used on servers to implement isolated and highly secured execution enclaves, functionally equivalent to AWS Nitro enclaves.

United Biometrics

United Biometrics Logo

United Biometrics is architecting and developing a strong multi-factor authentication and ID verification platform solution for Banks, Healthcare, Governments, Defense, and Enterprises, losing money or service capacity caused by large cyber-attacks and intrusions. The platform offers superior protection for private and personal data and can hold millions of users and support massive traffic in real-time. The IPCEI project on Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services aims to deliver an end-to-end Cloud-Edge platform enabling easy integration of infrastructure products, providing Cloud enabled cybersecurity services such as online identity verification and multi-factor authentication for all European residents. United Biometrics, as a partner of ATOS, will deliver, through the R&D development program, Access Management (IAM) and online identity verification solutions for users, to be available “as a service” identity management on the Cloud-Edge platform.

UNIVERSITE BRETAGNE SUD

Project description will be available soon.

UNIVERSITE CAEN BASSE NORMANDIE

Project description will be available soon.

University de Lille

Project description will be available soon.

UNIVERSITE DE VERSAILLES SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES

Project description will be available soon.

Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS UGA ERODS

The ERODS team of University of Grenoble (UGA) will contribute to the management of Edge-to-Cloud Continuums by designing and implementing solutions for the detection and the prediction of anomalies at the hardware and at the software level. The goal is to help improving the reliability of such platforms. By anomalies, we refer to crashes as well as to performance bugs. Those are especially challenging to detect and predict in Edge to Cloud continuums because of the scale of the infrastructures and of the heterogeneity of the hardware. In the context of the project, we will study how data coming from different levels of the software stack can help better detecting anomalies. We will also study how to build accurate tools while limiting the amount of collected data and the amount of communication between distributed entities.

Germany

Adva Network Security GmbH, TRUE-SEC

A distributed cloud edge continuum, multi-party collaboration and a multi-cloud environment significantly increase the attack possibility for espionage, sabotage and cybercrime. In a trusted Cloud-Edge infrastructure and associated services, end-to-end protection of critical data must be guaranteed anywhere, anytime.
Adva Network Security GmbH's TRUE-SEC – TRUsted cloud connectivity Enabled by automated endpoint SECurity – project is developing customer-controlled key management and continuous network monitoring to enable secure connectivity for trusted applications in the Cloud-Edge continuum. The goal is to implement advanced security and automation capabilities for government customers, critical infrastructure operators and organizations with high protection needs. The connection between two endpoints takes place after successful authentication and key management via two VPN tunnels secured with strong quantum-safe cryptography. By monitoring the security of active connections and network resources, attacks can be detected at an early stage and countermeasures initiated.

Website: https://www.advasecurity.com/de-de/innovation/secure-cloud-infrastructure

Airbus Operations GmbH, AXIS

Future generations of aircraft require better connectivity between aircraft and ground services to enable optimised operations and efficient and (cyber-)secure integration of services. A European, federated, open and decentralised Cloud infrastructure is essential here. Airbus Operations GmbH's AXIS project connects aircraft as "flying edge devices" to an IPCEI-CIS-compliant infrastructure. The project focuses on the integration and testing of technological components for communication and data processing in an aircraft on the one hand and on the prototypical definition, implementation and networking of connectivity services on the other. This creates new integrable services for passenger transport processes and "smart services". The connection of "on-board" communication systems, which enable new product functions, is to be trialled in an Airbus test aircraft (A350).

Amadeus Data Processing GmbH, RESCUE

Economically and politically motivated cyber attacks and disasters pose an increasing threat. IT security and resilience are therefore prerequisites for a high level of trust in the emerging European cloud and edge services.
Amadeus Data Processing GmbH's RESCUE project is developing a pilot setup of cyber-resistant digital twins for data centres and edges. Based on the open cloud edge infrastruc-ture, an industrial-grade operating platform is being created that can host security- and business-critical applications on a large scale. This platform creates high availability across multiple regions - an essential prerequisite for cross-border business continuity. Automation functions allow critical services to be moved dynamically between regions, while less critical services, such as test environments, can be set up and taken down as required.

DB InfraGO AG, Cloud4Rail Operations

In the digital railway system of the future, trains will run fully automatically. AI will control traf-fic and capacity management in real time. To facilitate those innovations a new concept of IT platforms is designed and tested as part of the Cloud4Rail project of “Digitale Schiene Deutschland”: The aim is a modular IT platform for safety-critical railway applications of digi-tal railway operations in the Cloud-Edge Continuum. The Cloud4Rail project will realise the first operational architecture design and demonstration of this concept for trackside applica-tions, e.g. in the Digital Railway Test Field in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge). This step from theoretical concepts and specifications to the first practical integration of all systems in a demonstrator is a major advance. It will validate the technical feasibility of the proposed de-sign and test for instance how the IT platform reacts automatically to hardware failures.

DB Netz Aktiengesellschaft, Cloud4Rail Operations

In the fully digitalised rail system of the future, trains will run fully automatically and AI will control traffic and capacity management in real time. Suitable IT platforms are required, especially for safety-critical functions on functionally secure computing platforms. A new concept is to be designed and trialled as part of the Cloud4Rail Operations project of “Digitale Schiene Deutschland”: The aim is a modular trackside IT platform for safety-critical applications for digital and automated railway operations in the Cloud-Edge continuum. The project follows the Safe Computing Platform standardisation concept developed as part of the European cooperation between the railways. In addition to laboratory tests, Cloud4Rail Operations also plans to demonstrate the functionality of the developed IT platform in a physical railway system, e.g. in the "Digital Test Field Railway" in the Saxon Erzgebirge. For example, the aim is to test how the IT platform reacts automatically to hardware failures.

DE-CIX Management GmbH, NEXUS

Nexus Cover

European Cloud services operate in a largely fragmented environment that poses major challenges in terms of complexity, performance and security. In addition, applications are distributed across different locations in the Cloud-Edge continuum, while requiring high bandwidth and low latency. As part of the NEXUS project, DE-CIX Management is realising a neutral, secure and efficiently managed service platform that offers high-performance interconnectivity with low latency and high bandwidth. Management is based on a centralised dashboard, allowing companies to create and modify network segments, security policies and services with a single configuration approach. An innovative API automates real-time monitoring, telemetry, troubleshooting and reporting capabilities to identify and isolate performance and security issues. This reduces the barrier to entry and facilitates the free flow of data between users.

Website: https://www.project-nexus.de/

Deutsche Telekom (DTAG), EdgeConnect

Under the IPCEI program DTAG will develop major technological innovations to establish a full-service stack as a pre-requite for providing sovereign and open Edge cloud services to customers and user communities after the IPCEI-CIS in mass production. Main focus will be on integration of services from cloud-to-edge (across on-prem/far/near/central edge) based on a new quality level of interconnections, mission-critical capabilities in orchestration and federation of workloads, highest and guaranteed standards in security and resilience/availability of services and significant improvements regarding efficiency and carbon-footprint of data processing. DTAG´s IPCEI-CIS contributions will provide a foundation for seamless digital services with high quality-of-services across EU borders and service providers.

Diehl Aerospace GmbH, AdvantagE

Current Cloud environments are very heterogeneous and there is a lack of consistent mechanisms for maintaining data sovereignty and identity. Especially in the aviation sector, where security is of the highest relevance, secure integration and processing of data is required. The AdvantagE project from Diehl Aerospace GmbH is creating a new, secure level of data integration in the aircraft with a "flying edge" component. This extended data integration level can be used to create new, intermodal services, such as travel services (passenger comfort, customer corporate identity), or to optimize flight operations and maintenance. In addition, communication from the "flying edge" in the aircraft to the ground via a Cloud will be established to further increase data security. The "flying edge" itself and the new communication channels will be introduced and designed in accordance with aviation approval regulations.

Fachhochschule Dortmund, EMULATE

www.fh.do/emulate

Potential users of Edge computing currently lack suitable tools to either assess the suitability of public Edge service offerings or to plan, design and build their own customised Edge computing solution. Testing suitability often requires the costly and time-consuming construction of a real infrastructure. The EMULATE project at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts aims to provide a remedy by creating emulation and diagnostic platforms. On the one hand, the provision of a flexibly configurable emulation platform enables the creation of a digital twin of a Cloud-Edge infrastructure. On the other hand, the diagnostic platform supports the evaluation of existing environments with regard to their suitability for a Cloud-Edge continuum and simplifies troubleshooting in existing Cloud-Edge solutions. The project thus accelerates the planning process for customised Cloud- edge solutions and increases their quality.

elevait GmbH & Co. KG, AIDED

The public sector needs to be digitalised. To achieve this, there is a lack of digitally savvy staff – for example, there is a shortage of around 330,000 employees in the public sector. There is also a need for trustworthy infrastructure that functions in accordance with European data protection guidelines.
The AIDED – Artificial intelligence in a secure, distributed cloud for the public sector – project is implementing AI-based automation of repetitive administrative tasks to reduce the staff shortage. To this end, the project is building a multi-provider edge-cloud continuum that enables a unique, highly available, secure, GDPR-compliant and decentralised server structure for public administration. Data is structured and anonymised using machine learning and information is extracted and processed for administrative tasks. In addition, the project aims to automate the transfer of administrative tasks both between customers and sectors, e.g. local authorities, with individual requirements. Up to 70 per cent of the software and AI models used should be reusable for different customers, which offers enormous savings potential.

Ericsson GmbH, KeeCEK

European industries are facing major challenges in digitalisation, such as in Industry 4.0 – where the control of production machines and robots requires closed and secure control loops. In addition to the Cloud, this also requires a wireless connection for communication via 5G. Ericsson's KeeCEK project is developing technologies to make the Cloud-Edge nodes smaller, more energy-efficient and effective. More effective means developing Cloud-Edge systems for business and industry-critical applications in order to be able to process very large amounts of data with very low latency in a particularly reliable manner. KeeCEK enables the use of existing mobile networks as a platform for providing Cloud services for critical applications. Lower latency times and the direct connection of devices with applications in the Cloud-Edge enable improved and new business processes.

GETEMED Medizin- und Informationstechnik A, FACE

Healthcare can significantly benefit from digital innovations in cloud and edge computing. These technologies hold great potential for improvement, especially when processing large volumes of data. A prime example is the analysis of long-term ECG recordings, where approximately 100,000 heartbeats are measured per session.
The FACE project, led by GETEMED Medizin- und Informationstechnik AG, is developing solutions that leverage the advantages of artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, and cloud computing to make ECG analysis more efficient and improve patient care. The project’s innovative approach lies in a two-stage analysis process that intelligently distributes the workload between edge and cloud systems. This involves creating interfaces that ensure seamless integration of ECG data between edge and cloud models, enabling fast and precise data transfer and continuous model improvement.
By employing state-of-the-art machine learning models, the project supports a continuous learning process that aids experts in evaluating and interpreting ECG findings. To ensure that the developed models are not only technologically advanced but also clinically relevant, the project collaborates closely with medical professionals and research institutions.

IONOS SE, IONOS - IPCEI-CIS for federated and climate-neutral data processing

Successful, sovereign and secure European Edge and Cloud services require competitiveness with foreign hyperscalers. The development of secure and energy-efficient hardware with short development cycles is crucial for this. The aim of the IPCEI-CIS-IONOS project is to create opportunities for the energy-efficient operation of data centers. To this end, IONOS SE is designing data centers, Edge nodes and micro clouds on site that can be set up close to energy suppliers and users of Cloud infrastructures. Decisive aspects are a modular, compact, scalable and energy-efficient design. In order to orchestrate the workloads in real time and place them along the Cloud-Edge continuum, IONOS is developing interfaces (APIs) that are manufacturer-independent. These are tested in realistic environments. At the end of the project, there will be a "Continuum Compliance Interoperability Label".

KSB SE & Co. KGaA, IoT-Panda

Water utilities, such as municipal waterworks and public utilities, face the challenge of increasing pump performance, minimizing failures, and enhancing safety. To meet these demands, KSB SE & Co. KGaA is integrating pump applications into the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) through their project "IoT-Panda." The goal of the project is to develop solutions for connected pump applications.

A key initiative in this project is the development of an open interface for the KSB Cloud, which will enhance interoperability with various cloud systems and enable secure real-time analysis and control of pump data. Technologies such as the Industry 4.0 administration shell will provide standardized descriptions of pump components and functions to facilitate integration into IT systems and promote networking within the industrial Internet of Things. This is expected to lead to optimized process efficiency, easier preventive maintenance, and sustainable resource use.

LIMEBIRD GmbH, GREC

LIMEBIRD GmbH, GREC

The next generation of Cloud-Edge infrastructure and services must be more decentralized, greener and smarter networked, as this is the only way Europe can take a pioneering role in the decade of sustainable digitalization and the ICT sector can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. LIMEBIRD's GREC project develops and establishes heterogeneous and decentralized Edge data centers in wind/solar parks as well as in customer properties and industrial sites. The project uses artificial intelligence and decentralized optimization methods to orchestrate the Edge data centers intelligently and automatically. A self-organizing swarm platform is the key to resilience, sustainability and automation as well as to harmonizing the Edge data centers in terms of energy management, work distribution and dynamic workload migration. Open source, compatibility and common standards (e.g. GAIA-X) enable scaling and a multi-provider approach.

Website: https://www.green-edge-cloud.de (under construction)

Lindner SE, BIGREEN

Enormous amounts of electrical energy, including fossil fuels, are used to power computing systems and operate their cooling systems, 100 percent of which is released into the atmosphere unused in the form of waste heat. Lindner SE's BIGREEN project is working on highly innovative, modular Edge-Cloud computing systems that can be seamlessly integrated into the building technology of new and existing buildings. The waste heat emitted during utilisation is used directly on site for heating buildings, hot water or process heat. The energy should primarily come from local, renewable energy sources. The "swarm" of distributed Edge-Cloud systems is intelligently controlled in order to optimise the relationship between renewable energy, the use of the waste heat generated and the available computing power. In addition, a completely new, multi-dimensional security and access concept, known as multi-layer confidential computing, protects the systems.

Website: https://www.bigreen.io/

N+P Informationssysteme GmbH, GREEN-TWIN

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly faced with the challenge of obtaining real-time data from their customers. Machine manufacturers, for example, can monitor the use of their machines and systems in the customer environment and thus open up new digital business models. This increases the need to utilise Cloud technologies. At the same time, customers are concerned about transferring data to a single cloud provider. The GREEN-TWIN project from N+P Informationssysteme GmbH implements digital twins in the building and factory sector as a sovereign cloud solution. By setting up and managing hybrid platform environments and their data rooms as a combination of on-premise and Cloud components, the project aims to create multi-provider infrastructure scenarios that guarantee the trustworthy cross-company use of data. In order to support interoperability and data sovereignty, the project integrates basic GAIA-X components and standards. The aim is to develop specific use cases in the areas of digital buildings, digital factories and digital products.

Website: https://www.nupis.de/loesungen/plattform

Rheinmetall Technology Center GmbH, PoQuaSIA

The increasing level of digitalisation in industry, administration and mobility means that systems are being networked with each other, creating more and more points of attack to the outside world. In security-critical applications, such as driverless, teleoperated driving, the highest demands are placed on security, latency and availability, including with regard to post-quantum secure encryption methods. The PoQuaSIA project at the Rheinmetall Technology Center is developing modules for a generic IoT platform for secure connection to decentralised Edge-Clouds or central Clouds. On the one hand, the project is creating the necessary secure computing infrastructure with sufficient computing power and security against connection interruptions and cyberattacks. Secondly, the post-quantum secure and particularly low-latency communication between the subsystems involved is guaranteed by an embedded system. This generic IoT platform is applied to use cases from the mobility sector, e.g. the teleoperation of cars, simulatively and in the form of field tests.

Robert Bosch GmbH, Cube-C

The functionality of vehicles is increasingly defined by software, which leads to increased computing effort and energy consumption. The use of Edge and Cloud capacities offers the opportunity to reduce the embedded electronics in vehicles and offer functionality more cost-effectively. This requires solutions for dealing with latencies and ensuring availability, especially for real-time applications. The Cube-C project from Bosch is developing methods, components and tools for the realisation of safety- and time-critical cyber-physical systems (CPS) in a Cloud-Edge continuum. On this basis, the vehicle and Cloud infrastructure can be optimally utilised so that vehicles can be operated in a resource-saving, energy-efficient and safe manner. This includes development environments, operating concepts and real-time-critical functions with quality of service assurance and methods for distributing functionalities during operation. The project is also developing initial applications for such a Cloud-Edge continuum in the areas of powertrain, driver assistance systems and cooperative driving.

Website: https://www.bosch.com/research/news/ipcei-cis-project/

SAP, ApeiroRA

With the ApeiroRA project, SAP aims to develop a reference blueprint for an open, flexible, powerful, and secure next generation cloud-edge infrastructure. The project will include the use of intelligent monitoring and optimization methods in order to achieve energy efficiency and support sustainability. The project will strengthen the goal of a Multi Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum in and for Europe, and will also provide a strong fundament for future software development, deployment, and usage in cloud-edge environments.

secunet Security Networks AG, secunetEdgeCloud

For future highly secure Cloud-Edge solutions, scalability, interoperability and trustworthiness as well as increasing energy efficiency through computing at the point of energy generation are highly relevant. The secunetEdgeCloud project from secunet Security Networks AG will develop fully integrated and automatically networked Cloud-Edge infrastructure modules that are characterized by maximum security. The nodes can be automatically connected to each other to form large computer networks, so that scaling networks can be created to provide computing power at low operating costs. This is achieved through security-conscious code development and selection, the use of state-of-the-art encryption and virtualization technologies and cryptographic isolation of workloads. This combination of highly secure, energy-efficient, easy-to-use and open source-based technology closes a technological gap and is certifiable.

Siemens, Kicks4Edge

Siemens, Kicks4Edge Cover

Edge technology shows great potential for decentralized data analysis and digitalization of production processes across industries. The setting of factories is characterized by heterogenous systems, diverse machinery and highest security requirements. The project Kicks4Edge by Siemens Digital Industries aims to promote interoperability of systems as well as to advance and support the extension of software and service offerings for an open industrial Edge technology so that manifold players in IT and OT can create business with Edge technology as part of the Cloud-Edge continuum. The project applies a novel approach for technology adoption in SMEs, derives industry requirements to be fed into the IPCEI-CIS technology development and enables new app and device builders to participate with Edge technology with its three building blocks Edge Build & Connect, App & Device Test Ecosystem and Edge Kick-Start.

SYSGO GmbH, SuzECK

The networking of safety-critical systems in the rail sector, for example in signal processing in rail network or data processing in rail vehicles, requires the use of intelligent and therefore safe and functional connectivity platforms, such as Cloud services, among others. This is where the SuzECK project comes in by creating a safe computing platform (SCP). A platform-independent application programming interface (PI API) is planned between safety-relevant areas in the rail sector and Cloud and Edge applications. This creates a safety layer and supports portability between applications from different providers. The safe computing platform is supported by a functional open source reference implementation and other proprietary safety adaptations. The project is based on the SCP PI standard, which was developed in collaboration with European railroads (Germany, France, Netherlands, Switzerland).

WestfalenWIND IT GmbH & Co. KG, SDEC

SDEC Cover

Data centers face major challenges as they are the engine of a digital society. Hyper-scalers define the easily accessible service offering, but serve hardly any customer sovereignty when it comes to meeting individual sustainability or regulatory requirements. In order to offer a better counterbalance in the European and German market, a cooperative and sustainable Cloud ecosystem must be created. WestfalenWIND IT's SDEC project is researching data center Edge infrastructures within wind turbines for this purpose. The central challenge is to establish the architecture and integration in a cross-location co-location operating model. The project looks at issues that should lead to an architecture that meets the requirements. The aim is to create a distributed co-location ecosystem and enable the seamless merging of the solution into an energy generation infrastructure. The provision of these resources on the market also supports use cases for smart city platforms or non-profit cultural platforms.

Website: https://www.windcores.de/forschung/

Hungary

4iG plc., DTS

The Digital Trust Services – DTS – project is a significant step towards enhancing trust in digital data, thereby fostering collaboration and boosting European competitiveness. This industry-independent, interoperable open data authentication solution is designed to facilitate the development of innovative solutions. The primary goal of DTS is to create a mass data authentication service applicable to all data sources, thereby establishing the concept of trusted and verifiable digital data. The project’s scope extends from the data source (e.g., IoT device) to the point of use, ensuring data integrity and authenticity. The technology underpinning DTS is Blockchain (BC), which guarantees data authenticity. The system allows for the verification of data from its source to its point of use, free from corruption and manipulation. It also provides information about the data’s origin and important “meta” descriptors (sensor ID, GPS, owner, etc.). The consensus of closed authentication nodes, provided by partner companies and supervisory bodies, further ensures authenticity. The innovation resulting from the DTS project is envisioned as a universal data authentication platform, accessible to all, regardless of industry or company size. This groundbreaking initiative underscores the transformative potential of blockchain technology in fostering trust in the digital landscape.

E-Group ICT Software, FedEU.ai

The vision of FedEU.ai – Connecting AI Knowledge is a federated cloud-edge AI continuum based on privacy preserving and federated computing elements. In such cloud environment private data, data processing (AI) services and insight generation can be fully decoupled from each other. Besides, algorithms can go to data or machine learning algorithms can train on encrypted data. Privacy preserving data spaces can be flexibly deployed, whether data resides on cloud, edge or on-premises and environmental impact of AI can be reduced.
The project aims to create a facility for exploring novel technologies that can facilitate federated cloud AI, translation of research to large scale industrial exploitation and to develop an industry scale federated AI technology stack fully harmonized with EU cloud initiatives and existing solutions. FedEU.ai will enable the agile deployment of data services on distributed data using the combination of state-of-the-art federated learning and privacy preserving technologies, thus greatly increasing the output of European data economy without exposing EU data assets. The FedEU.ai solution extends the potential for innovative data (re)use and services by cost-effectively expanding data resource utilization and analysis based on an independent cloud platform to enable any type of cloud deployment. FedEU.ai will substantially reduce the environmental impact of large-scale machine learning. The FedEU.ai innovation consists of: (i) scalable, cloud-edge continuum federated AI services, (ii) decoupling data from processing and insight generation on the cloud-edge, (iii) energy efficient cloud-edge AI, reducing environmental impact of AI models, (iv) advanced federated security & privacy protocols, as well as (v) trustworthy data and models throughout the federated learning process.

Ericsson Hungary

Project description will be available soon.

H1 Systems Mérnöki Szolgáltatások Kft., Distributed EDGE Datacentre Infrastructure

The Distributed Edge data centre infra (DEDCI) project will develop green, ultra-cost-efficient far and near Edge data centre types with a PUE lower than 1.2, integrated with power supply from renewable energy sources and waste heat reuse technologies.

These data centres are going to be modular, containerised, can be integrated into buildings, prefabricated, scalable, and quick to deploy with a capacity of up to 150 kW. Their cooling will rely on cutting-edge, free-air cooling combined with on-chip-liquid cooling and advanced cooling control techniques. By developing interfaces for selected use-cases, the edge nodes will be able to supply their waste heat to third parties.

The project is aiming at creating an EDGE network consisting of 5 near and 20 far edge data centres across Hungary. By applying the EDGE meta-orchestration solution developed by other IPCEI-CIS projects it will offer an Edge-as-a-Service environment that provides (i) Scalable ultra-low latency (1.5 ms), and (ii) Scalable availability of IT services (99.999%).

This network will be used as a living lab for (i) establishing standards against EDGE nodes/networks, (ii) developing local and Pan-European orchestration, and (iii) providing access to end-users for software developers.

Recog.AI, AI-based littering detection

The project aims to develop an environmentally-conscious littering and waste detection AI camera platform and AI models. The solution could be used in multiple areas: monitoring outdoor and indoor spaces and continuous monitoring of cities for waste identification. Littering detection AI models, and the camera platform will help municipalities and camera operator companies fight against littering and illegal waste dumping. The AI Camera platform will allow interoperability through open standards (ONNX AI models, REST/GraphQL APIs), while part of the platform will be available as an open-source solution. The platform will also integrate additional data sources beyond standard cameras: drone / unmanned aerial vehicle, satellite, and other custom data sources.

Italy

Engineering Ingegneria Informatica, AVANT

At the heart of AVANT's mission lies the creation of specialized platforms that empower organizations to harness the transformative power of digital twins across the spectrum of edge-to-cloud continuum. One of the most significant challenges tackled by AVANT is the need for interoperable and intelligent secure middleware. This middleware serves as the backbone of the digital twin ecosystem, ensuring seamless communication and data exchange between disparate systems and devices, regardless of their hardware or software configurations. By establishing a common language and protocol, AVANT eliminates the siloed nature of traditional computing environments, fostering a unified digital landscape where data flows freely and securely.
Another crucial challenge addressed by AVANT is the need for seamless and reliable data access, irrespective of its distribution. Furthermore, AVANT tackles the complexities of training and utilizing AI algorithms in distributed environments. AVANT's support to AI development and deployment ensures that organizations can harness this transformative technology effectively, enabling them to automate tasks, predict future trends, and gain a competitive edge on the market. By ensuring that its platforms seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure and align with organizational goals, AVANT empowers businesses to embrace digital twins without disrupting their operations or compromising their security posture. With AVANT, companies can streamline processes, optimize resource utilization, and contribute to Europe's decarbonization efforts, all while enhancing their resilience in the face of ever-changing market conditions.

Fincantieri

Fincantieri Group IPCEI-CIS Project aims at creating an efficient suite of processing services to properly organize and orchestrate information flows in an Edge-Cloud/Multicloud Continuum, for their secure integration and implementation in a variety of application areas: (i) the Smart Shipyard, enabling true Industry 4.0 solutions for the ship construction phase, and preparing the future Industry 5.0 solutions; (ii) the Smart Ship, creating the best conditions for the optimization of ship operations, its energy efficiency, its environmental footprint, its safety, and its maintenance by properly integrating digital twins in the Edge-Cloud Continuum; (iii) Digital Lifecycle Management, by enabling the lifecycle management of complex systems and infrastructures with an ever increasing level of automation and autonomy and by integrating and orchestrating advanced cloud and edge-based features; (iv) Cybersecurity of the Edge-Cloud Continuum, by implementing advanced probes for maritime applications and suitable threat intelligence strategies.
From the architectural point of view, a fundamental role shall be played by a robust and scalable maritime data platform that will enable the proper exchange of data, information, and processing services on the (IoT)-Edge-Cloud Continuum.

Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Cybersecurity & AI at the Edge

Our societies are seeing an unprecedented growth of data, in large part accelerated by the availability of cloud computing facilities combined with the revamping of AI that makes heavy use of available data and produces even more. The availability of substantial compute power from a limited number of cloud service providers falls short in meeting the diverse and extensive computing demands imposed by digital services across industry and society. This inadequacy prompts a call for the integration of diverse computing paradigms within the cloud edge continuum to address the limitations of available applications and services provisioned by few cloud service providers in isolation. The Cybersecurity & AI at the Edge project addresses the EU objectives promoted in the Green Deal and Cybersecurity strategies by innovating the multi-provider cloud-edge continuum in two main directions. First, it aims to bring AI at the edge, by providing scalability and resource efficiency through the development of cooperative, distributed AI algorithms, optimizing data, energy, and processing resources while adapting to the different computational environments and capabilities. Second, the project emphasizes the creation of security, privacy-enhancing, and trust-aware services to ensure resilience and compliance in distributed AI-enabled applications.

Website: https://ipcei-cis.fbk.eu/

ENEA - Italian national agency for new technologies, energy, and sustainable economic development, DataCLEEN

DataCLEEN exploits high-performance computing technologies in a highly scalable, federated, trusted cloud-edge continuum to accelerate the energy transition and to create new products and services with the large involvement of industries and public entities in Italy and Europe. To meet the new energetic and environmental challenges, DataCLEEN infrastructure, based on five ENEA computing and data centres from north to south of Italy, aims to be highly scalable, flexible, sustainable, low power but at the same time with high performance computing and big-data capabilities from the cloud to the edge, till the laboratories and the energy plants. DataCLEEN meets European requirements in terms of cybersecurity and data protection to contribute to a more sustainable use of cloud and edge computing for the Italian and European companies participating in IPCEI to accelerate their R&D&I phase to arrive as soon as possible to deliver their FID activities. DataCLEEN is greatly innovative since it provides, in a seamless and sustainable way, HPC technologies and AI at the edge to exploit on premises data of five applications in the energy field: critical infrastructures management, smart cities, materials for energy, fluid dynamics and cultural heritage.

Reply SpA, Cloud computing @edge for data network services over FTTX-ORAN and ASP4AGV

The project aims to create cutting-edge software on Cloud-Edge technologies, empowering individuals and businesses to seamlessly share data through multiple, disaggregated and distributed data networks. It features a modular and open system architecture designed to facilitate real-time interactions and harness advanced AI/ML capabilities. With a strong focus on security and privacy, this initiative prioritizes secure-by-design solutions. Its use cases involve integrating an autonomous service platform for vehicles and robotics, facilitating the coordination and collaboration of autonomous driving cars, trucks, logistic vehicles, and manufacturing robots.

TIM SpA, Tim Edge & Cloud Continuum

The TIM Edge & Cloud Continuum will develop a next generation Cloud-Edge continuum that is a fundamental enabler of new digital solutions that require high performance in terms of latency, minimum guaranteed bandwidth, availability, resilience and security, ensuring open and public access to all the use cases and related open data management, while guaranteeing security and compliance to legislation on EU Data, favouring and enabling the free flow of non-personal data, providing the foundation for European digital services not only for big enterprises but also for SMEs and start-ups.
This project aims at promoting new disruptive solutions in terms of energy-efficiency, cloud security and openness of Cloud and Edge services notably including interoperability. To meet local – and global – customer demand for integrated and trustworthy solutions, services will need to be interconnected and federated, easy to consume, and built on common standards and values that ensure trust in data management and data exchange: security, data protection, transparency and development of the European ecosystem. A lack of interoperability prevents addressing grand societal challenges that require efficient data sharing and a multidisciplinary, multi-actor approach (climate change which cannot be addressed by climatologists alone).

Tiscali, VILLANOVA

The Villanova project – Generative AI models and composable application-services on cloud edge continuum – is a bold initiative with the goal of revolutionizing the field of Artificial Intelligence through research, development, testing and deployment of two key innovations in various scenarios. The primary focus is on crafting multimodal generative AI models tailored specifically for European languages. These models are meticulously designed to address linguistic nuances and regional demands, with the aim of dynamically generating high-quality textual and multimedia content in real-time. The implementation of cloud-edge computing is a foundational element, ensuring the effectiveness and adaptability of AI-driven smart applications.
Simultaneously, the project aims to build a user-friendly, open-source framework driven by generative AI. This framework is intended to foster seamless collaboration between human operators and AI systems, streamlining the intricate processes involved in creating and maintaining sophisticated applications. By providing reusable GenAI-based components, the initiative seeks to democratize access to state-of-the-art technologies based on Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models, making them available to a broader user base, including non-technical individuals and resource-constrained small businesses.

Website: http://Tiscali-Villanova.it

Latvia

ASPIRED, SIA

Project description will be available soon.

DATI Group, SIA

The DigiTDevOps project aims to develop a modular digital twin development and operations platform, which would simplify the creation of urban digital twins. Currently urban digital twins are developed on a case by case basis, which makes the process complex and costly. Un-like existing digital twin development solutions, the DigiTDevOps platform will be comprised of standardized, modular components, which will streamline building digital twins using vari-ous data formats and types of edge computing equipment. In addition, the platform will ac-cumulate best practices for designing municipal digital twins in the form of patterns. Reusa-bility, standardization, and knowledge sharing will contribute to a wider adoption of digital twin technology on an EU scale. The developed platform will be tested as a part of a smart city and smart mobility first industrial deployment, where digital twin solutions will be created for Latvian municipalities.
Website: https://www.datigroup.com/en/projects/ipcei-next-generation-cloud-infrastructures-and-services-digitdevops

Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science University of Latvia (IMCS UL), SIA

Project description will be available soon.

Tilde, SIA ­­– AI-based natural language processing and human-computer interaction services

This project tackles the challenge of multilingual data processing in today's information age. The project builds a comprehensive platform equipped with cutting-edge AI-powered lan-guage technologies. This platform will be able to handle massive amounts of multilingual data in different modalities across all 24 official EU languages. The project's core mission is two-fold: (i) Empowering Global Access: By removing language barriers, we aim to ensure eve-ryone has access to information, regardless of their native tongue. This foster cross-border cooperation, mobility, and social inclusivity within the EU; (ii) European Technological Lead-ership: This platform will integrate state-of-the-art language technologies developed through a powerful European partnership between industry and academia. This strengthens Europe's technological sovereignty and positions it as a leader in the field of multilingual AI. The benefits of this project extend far beyond language. It allows to unlock the true value hidden within vast amounts of unstructured multilingual data. This is especially crucial during times of crisis, where timely and accurate information is vital for public safety.

Ventspils High Ventspils Technology park, SIA – Next Gen Microfactories

It is expected that in the near future, micro-manufacturing and decentralized manufacturing will significantly facilitate the creation of innovative products, making prototyping and new product development more accessible to entrepreneurs, inventors and micro-producers.
Thanks to (manufacturing as a service) platforms, it is expected that every manufacturer, designer and self-employed, even in the least populated regions and small towns of the EU, will be able to remotely receive the services of other micro-manufacturers.
The next-generation cloud will significantly help automate such solutions: designers and manufacturers will be able to work and collaborate remotely from anywhere. Potentially, an-yone can be a creator of new products and benefit from cloud manufacturing in the future. The creation of the platform will require the use of different software and infrastructures to integrate different systems and effectively provide services at least on an EU scale. The project will explore and propose solutions for two stages of the IPCEI value chain: (i) Plat-forms and Smart Processing Services for app and data management and processing in the cloud-edge continuum. (ii) Initial Roll-out and deployment of innovative use cases at first in-dustrial deployment stage.

Luxembourg

DataVaccinator SARL, Data Privacy and Protection by Design

For Data Privacy and Protection by Design to become mainstream, open source software will be developed and made available to a large community of developers and users. The project will develop lean modules that can flexibly be integrated into any data-sensitive application, independent of the underlying architecture. The modules will be designed to work across the full architectural spectrum, from centralized to fully decentralized.

Excellium Services S.A.

Project description will be available soon.

itrust consulting & itrust Abstractions Lab, CyFORT

CyFORT is a research project aimed at developing a series of open-source cybersecurity software tools, with the overall objective to build an open platform of interconnected resources and cybersecurity solutions addressing current challenges in the cybersecurity landscape of cloud computing. Therefore, CyFORT aims at improving node and network security of entities that either provide or use cloud infrastructure and services. CyFORT is developing the following activities: secure software development and assurance, intrusion detection and prevention, cyber threat intelligence analysis, pseudonymization in distributed ledger technologies, risk management, governance, auditing and monitoring in cloud services, and migration of classical cryptographic solution to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) schemes.

The project is built on advanced machine learning algorithms such as deep neural networks (DNNs) combined with innovations in sophisticated mathematical techniques aimed at tailoring advances in this realm to the domain of intrusion detection systems. CyFORT incorporate state-of-the-art strongly typed database systems powered by logical type systems into cyber threat intelligence (CTI) to create a CTI analytics platform that can benefit from automated reasoning and inference engines not only to derive new CTI knowledge, but also to facilitate analysis and exploration of the already vast space of CTI repositories and knowledge bases.

Webpage: https://abstractionslab.com/index.php/research-and-development/cyfort/

Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity (former securitymadin.lu), CLAUSEN

The project CLAUSEN, together with other Luxembourg contributors to the IPCEI-CIS, propose the creation of a new collaborative approach for threat detection and threat mitigation in a cloud edge continuum. Specific sensor, SIEM and EDR technology will be developed which interact with the first open cybersecurity data space. To make cybersecurity more inclusive, accessible for SME, we need an open cybersecurity data economy that capitalizes the tremendous synergies by boosting collaboration and fostering innovation to reduce complexity and costs.

Proximus Luxembourg S.A.

Project description will be available soon.

RHEA Group

Project description will be available soon.

The Netherlands

AMS-IX, BIT, i3D.net, Info Support and TNO, ECOFED

The ECOFED – European Cloud services in an Open FEDerated ecosystem – project aims to develop open interfaces and open source software tools that will enable cloud interoperability, cloud switching and cloud federation. This will be important for all companies relying on cloud services as these deliverables will lower the risk of lock-in effects and also reduce the dependency on a few large providers. The innovations for common interfaces will be achieved in close cooperation with partners across Europe and based on a common European open reference architecture.

Aecorsis BV (Asperitas), Universiteit Twente, TNO, BetterBe, NBIP, Eurofiber, and Deerns, MISD

MISD (Modular & Integrated Sustainable Datacenter) focuses on the development of a unique field lab ecosystem, the “decentralized network of data centers of the future”, where innovations in the field of modularity, advanced cooling, energy, communication, network, and cybersecurity technology come together. The field lab ensures data centers to innovate more rapidly and share knowledge in the societal impactful areas of energy efficiency, sustainability, and security. With the decentralized network of data centers of the future through a decentral modular data center design, data can be brought to the user with a lower latency while increasing security for the user to fend off cyber-attacks and maximizing the integration into the energy network. The major goal of MISD is achieving energy savings of over 50%. This will be aided by (i) realizing and managing a staging lab in which various innovations and technologies can be tested, (ii) developing technology and ICT solutions for optimizing data processing in and between data centers as well as energy consumption, (iii) developing new structures that enable cloud architecture and orchestration while guaranteeing availability and increasing cybersecurity, (iv) developing and automating advanced cooling systems and innovative heat reuse as well as exploring cleantech solutions, and (v) developing an Innovations and Expertise center for sharing expertise in the Netherlands and the EU.

Leaseweb BV, The European Cloud Campus

The European Cloud Campus will fulfil the need for advanced, secure and sustainable infrastructure and a corresponding set of technology services and innovations. The project enables EU hyperscaler-like deployments of compute, storage and other Cloud-enabled capacity, allowing development and deployment of modern applications on a platform following European values, standards and rules. A sovereign European Cloud is desirable, as it – among other reasons – enables alignment with EU standards and rules from the start (instead of needing to adjust to them when regulations and standards change), data residency in Europe and the possibility to more easily attract and keep knowledge workers in the EU. The European Cloud Campus project creates such a platform, creating the possibility for SMEs and developers to create sovereign European cloud apps and enabling companies to run their application in a fully European Cloud. There are no solutions (either Open-source or commercial) that satisfy the requirements to be highly scalable, energy-efficient, vertically integrated and have the ability to provide efficient multi tenancy – these solutions will be created during the project, and made available to the market.

Poland

Atende Industries Sp. z o.o., Highly scalable, distributed, NoSQL database for real-time critical IoT application

TStorage is a distributed NoSQL database, designed to effectively process so-called “time-stamped data” (data from IoT sensors, measurement devices, meters etc.). The distinctive capability of TStorage, making it unique on the European market, consists in processing data from IoT sensors such as data versioning (what is required in IoT software applications) and range queries (what ensures rapid data searching). This approach allows real-time ML-enabled analysis and fast decision-making based on field data. The main goal of the project is re-designing and re-engineering the functionalities of TStorage in such a way that it can be a scalable, secure, energy-efficient and highly available database cloud solution (DBaaS), which requires extensive RDI and FID efforts. TStorage is the first European time-series database which will provide the tools for fast data processing available to industrial applications, research units and EU citizens via cloud service providers.

Cloud Ferro, Gateway

Spatial data, essential for various sectors in Europe and globally, is being heavily invested in, generating tens of petabytes annually. This data, used for applications like traffic, weather, and agriculture, needs efficient sharing, access, and processing. The management of this data is shifting towards sustainable methods, emphasizing distributed cloud-edge systems and carbon-aware computing.
The Gateway project addresses these needs by providing a unified platform for accessing and processing spatial data. It combines tools, interfaces, and applications to streamline data access, integrating various technologies into a single market. Focused on efficient data storage and processing, Gateway utilizes cloud-edge resources powered by green energy, reducing carbon emissions and costs. The project includes developing applications that leverage this data for added value, marking a significant step in sustainable data management.

Operator Chmury Krajowei sp. s o.o., MED-REP

The MED-REP system represents a pioneering venture into the realm of cloud-based Electronic Health Records (EHR). It is envisioned as a highly secure, scalable platform that will consolidate and scrutinize medical data through cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models. This initiative is designed to deliver predictive, personalized healthcare solutions to the populace, addressing the diverse needs of the healthcare sector, including facilities, companies, organizations, and individuals. By introducing advanced, innovative, and dependable technologies to the European market, the project aims to enhance diagnostic precision and have a beneficial effect on health prevention strategies.

MED-REP endeavors to bridge significant gaps and overcome obstacles stemming from systemic failures within the eHealth domain. These challenges include the fragmentation of medical records, issues surrounding access to and confidentiality of patient data, and the complexities of big data management, including storage and real-time analysis. The project's objectives include the creation of a sophisticated, interoperable system architecture and the development of essential AI and ML models. These models will be instrumental in monitoring the health statuses of citizens and advancing disease research within local populations. Additionally, the project will focus on generating a medical dataset to support innovative services.

Phoenix Systems sp. z o. o., Phoenix-RTOS operating system

The project aims to create the next generation open source, scalable, real-time operating system for Edge-IoT to establish Cloud-Edge-IoT Continuum. Phoenix Systems will adapt Phoenix-RTOS operating system, which has been already successfully implemented in millions of smart meters, to the requirements of next, strategic, European market sectors (aerospace, space and IoT). The adoption will include the preparation of Phoenix-RTOS prequalification packages for these sectors and development of reference designs and evaluation kits with industrial partners. Project global innovation is focused on creating the foundation for establishment of the Cloud-Edge-IoT Continuum by enabling the development and execution of user applications on Edge-IoT devices, especially on resource constrained platforms (e.g. battery operated). The Phoenix-RTOS operating system developed as part of the project will be available as open source under the BSD license on the GitHub platform for all market sectors. Platforms and Cloud services created using Phoenix-RTOS will be based on European technology, avoiding the so-called lock-in effect and will make European companies independent from license fees and services supplying corporations outside the European Union to increase the competitiveness of European companies and stimulate the European labor market.

Website: https://phoenix-rtos.com/

University of Technology Gdańska, CAISE

The CAISE project integrates several key technologies such as Cloud Computing, Big Data, Deep Learning and High Performance Computing to enable intelligent content analysis of digital documents that play an important role in an ever-evolving knowledge-based society and economy. The main goal of the project is to build a cloud platform supporting the development of intelligent and universal services that automatically interpret three types of documents: those containing only text, only images and hybrid ones combining both of the latter. Interpreting the content of these documents will allow to extract information and build knowledge that helps people to make decisions, analyze various activities documented there, as well as discover hidden relationships between them in order to create service pipelines representing various important fragments of human activities. This type of functionality will undoubtedly stimulate the further development of the digital society. Expected results of the CAISE project address directly the public sector. However, their feasibility and development potential of multicloud technology will enable the adaptation of the developed digital document analysis solutions to other sectors, including Industry 4.0. The core of the planned solution is a wide adaptation of the existing cloud and AI open software technologies. The expected innovation is of two types. The first is process innovation, related to a unique combination of the DevOps methodology with continuous quality assessment techniques, and the second is product innovation, consisting in providing a production platform that can flexibly adapt to the specific user needs.

Slovenia

Diagnostični center Bled d.o.o

eEarly – Platform for early detection of health symptoms – will be a European open-source platform for gathering and analyzing health related biometric data. There are numerous biometric sensors available at affordable prices. They can be used for early detection of possible health related symptoms of European population. Early treatments assure better outcomes and consequently healthier population and lower costs of treatments. The ultimate goal is to have a healthier society aware of their health risks with less absence from work. The project aims to set up a distributed open-source platform, where all nodes can share data, where algorithms for detection of health symptoms can be exchanged among scientists and health organizations and, where federated learning can be used to define new patterns of different diseases within the vast amount of shared data. Platform will be built on cloud-edge technologies provided by other partners within IPCEI-CIS, assuring complete European sovereignty of the platform.

Iskra, d.o.o. (leader), Bass d.o.o., Igea d.o.o. and Žejn d.o.o., EnerHum

The EnerHum – Innovative fusion for industry of food, waste and energy solutions management solutions – project comprises of several different sub-systems components that together form a digital horizontal backbone for industry 4.0. Project will establish a real-time information system for various monitoring (energy, composition of the soil and multi-year planning of crops, the need for irrigation, protection against weather conditions. Project will offer data on population composition and changes in dietary habits, better distribution of food and enable better utilization of collection and processing, by setting up a local (3), regional (2) and national center. We will monitor at the local and regional level: weather conditions, soil conditions, vegetation with implementation of edge technology on GIS, monitoring building blocks and sensors as well as IT technologies.

Hashnet d.o.o. (lead partner), Telemach d.o.o., Pro-Bit Programska oprema d.o.o., SIChain-EIPS

The SIChain-EIPS project is pivotal for society as it enhances interconnectivity among blockchain infrastructures, leveraging the energy-efficient Hashnet protocol to foster widespread adoption of blockchain applications. This will significantly reduce the need for intermediaries in transaction validations, lowering operational costs and spurring the creation of innovative services and business models. Additionally, the project's integration of AI, DLT, IoT, and DTs with user-friendly interfaces will offer advanced data infrastructures, catalyzing the development of new start-ups and streamlining the adoption of cutting-edge technologies across Europe. Project goals and scope is to develop: (i) the national blockchain infrastructure from the test to the FID phase and integration of the national blockchain infrastructure into the common European Data and Services Infrastructure, (ii) interoperable connection of national blockchain infrastructures and their integration into a common European data and services infrastructure, (iii) IPFS Decentralised Data Storage as an integral part of the European data and services infrastructure (for storage of blockchain applications outside the national blockchain infrastructure (off-chain storage)) as an integral part of the European data and services infrastructure, and (iv) pilot integration of a blockchain user application for document authentication (notarization and timestamping) and digital identity of natural and legal persons. The SIChain EIPS project innovates with the high-performance Hashnet protocol, enabling up to 50,000 transactions per second, which addresses scalability issues present in most blockchain infrastructures. Furthermore, by adapting the Ethereum Virtual Machine to Hashnet, it allows seamless integration of Solidity-based decentralized applications, offering a competitive, energy-efficient blockchain solution with lower operating costs.

Kontron d.o.o., GDCE-CI

The GDCE-CI project holds paramount significance for society as it endeavours to advance the landscape of cloud and edge infrastructures, ushering in novel technologies with wide-ranging benefits. The project aims to conduct Research and Development (R&D) and implement Proof of Concept (PoC) for innovative cloud and edge technologies. These technologies include (a) a geo-distributed cloud and edge infrastructures, supporting the coexistence of containerized and non-containerized virtualization, multi-cloud (meta-)orchestration, automatization, quality and security assurance, and life cycle management; (b) virtualized and portable mobile and/or wireless Networking Services for on-premise or near/far edges. The major goal is to provide end users with cost and performance-effective provisioning of mission-critical applications, deployable in various cloud and edge infrastructures, including public networks or private interconnection and/or networking infrastructures, depending on specific application needs.
By focusing on the coexistence of containerized and non-containerized virtualization, multi-cloud orchestration, automatization, and quality and security assurance, the project addresses the growing demand for efficient and secure computing environments. Portable mobile/wireless Networking Services contribute to the evolution of communication technologies. This is particularly crucial for society as it supports mission-critical networking, ensuring reliable and responsive connectivity in diverse scenarios.

ResEvo d.o.o.

The GDCE-CI – Geo-distributed Cloud-Edge environment for critical infrastructure – project holds paramount significance for society as it endeavours to advance the landscape of cloud and edge infrastructures, ushering in novel technologies with wide-ranging benefits. The project aims to conduct Research and Development (R&D) and implement a Proof of Concept (PoC) for innovative cloud and edge technologies.
These technologies include (a) geo-distributed cloud and edge infrastructures, supporting the coexistence of containerized and non-containerized virtualization, multi-cloud (meta-)orchestration, automatization, quality and security assurance, and life cycle management; (b) virtualized and portable mobile and/or wireless Networking Services for on-premise or near/far edges. The major goal is to provide end users with cost and performance-effective provisioning of mission-critical applications, deployable in various cloud and edge infrastructures, including public networks or private interconnection as well as networking infrastructures, depending on specific application needs.
By focusing on the coexistence of containerized and non-containerized virtualization, multi-cloud orchestration, automatization as well as quality and security assurance, the project addresses the growing demand for efficient and secure computing environments. Portable mobile and wireless Networking Services contribute to the evolution of communication technologies. This is particularly crucial for society as it supports mission-critical networking, ensuring reliable and responsive connectivity in diverse scenarios.

Result d.o.o., eEARLY

eEarly will be a European open-source platform for gathering and analyzing health related biometric data. There are numerous biometric sensors available at affordable prices. They can be used for early detection of possible health related symptoms of European population. Early treatments assure better outcomes and consequently healthier population and lower costs of treatments. In the end we have a healthier society aware of their health risks with less absence from work. Major goals of the project are setting up a distributed open-source platform where all nodes can share data, where algorithms for detection of health symptoms can be exchanged among scientists and health organizations and where federated learning can be used to define new patterns of different diseases within the vast amount of shared data. Platform will be built on cloud-edge technologies provided by other partners within IPCEI-CIS, in this way assuring complete European sovereignty of the platform.

Spain

Arsys Internet S.L.U., Cloud/edge meta orchestration system, multi-cloud and federated service optimizer, and portal framework for data exploitation

Arsys’ vision for this project comprises the design, development and integration of new products and services federated in the common European multi-cloud-edge continuum infrastructure. It includes: (i) Solutions at data center level, including a digital twin fed by a telemetry platform and the integration of innovations to increase energy efficiency; (ii) Virtualization platform: meta orchestration software to create a multi-vendor solution from tech providers across Europe. (iii) Portal service: framework for developers and integrators to offer apps and services that exploit customers’ data in the cloud / edge continuum. Arsys’ federated multi-cloud-edge orchestrator will be a powerful highly-innovative technology enabler. Customers will leverage the full potential of hybrid multi-cloud scenarios without the complexity of managing silos or vendor lock-in. Small cloud vendors could enter and compete in the market without being displaced by the current dominant players. This will have wide benefits for businesses in terms of choice, access, seamless use and highly energy-efficient processing of their data in real-time with guaranteed ultra-low latency, and advanced secure features from anywhere across the EU territory.

OpenNebula Systems, Next-Generation European Platform for the Datacenter-Cloud-Edge Continuum

The project is focused on researching, developing, and carrying out a pilot industrial deployment of Europe’s first next-generation open source platform for the datacenter-cloud-edge continuum. It will support the dynamic provisioning, application portability, multi-cloud interoperability, federation, and uniform multi-provider management of the emerging hyper-distributed computing continuum. The main outcome of the project is a powerful but flexible open source middleware platform that will enable companies to build distributed private Edge-Cloud environments by aggregating infrastructure resources along the whole cloud-edge continuum. Users will be able to easily combine their on-premise datacenters with additional capabilities offered by public clouds and 5G/edge providers.
This product will support next-generation infrastructure services, advanced cloud extensions, smart data processing services developed by other IPCEI-CIS partners, and external contributions and modules. This new open source solution will be based on OpenNebula, which will be enhanced with major innovations guided by the real needs of eight research-driven use cases in strategic EU domains: Mobility, Energy, Industry & Manufacturing, Health, Tourism, Agriculture & Environment, and Media. Our platform will help to reduce the overall carbon footprint associated with the rapidly expanding global cloud infrastructure, offering a secure and easy-to-use vendor-neutral alternative that democratizes access to edge computing and promotes competition in the EU cloud market.

Telefónica España, Edge Plan

The Edge Plan Project envisions an open, decentralized, and sustainable Edge Computing solution. It leverages Telco Facilities to establish a pan-European Cloud-Edge continuum infrastructure, aiming to enhance societal well-being through innovation and accessible digital services. Telefónica's pivotal role focuses on infrastructure and interconnection, contributing to end-to-end customer services and validating Edge functionalities. The project advocates for a standard and open service, ensuring interoperability and reducing lock-in effects for future customers' benefit.
In terms of technology and innovation, the Edge Plan Project is committed to pushing the boundaries of Edge computing under the IPCEI-CIS framework. The project spans Spain, connecting with Edge nodes across Europe. It embraces both existing and new technologies, aiming to advance the state of the art in Edge computing. Emphasizing an orchestration approach, the project seeks to create a multi-provider Edge-Cloud Continuum. Contributions to open-source communities, sharing infrastructure, and collaborating with partners highlight the commitment to innovation. Security, data management, and energy efficiency are also key areas of focus for a cutting-edge and sustainable Edge computing solution.

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Further Information

Press Release

  • 05/12/2023 - Joint press release - European Industrial Policy

    Press release: European Commission approves major european cloud project

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