Ikerlan inaugurates the most advanced digital technology laboratory in Spain

The Ikerlan technology centre has today inaugurated Digilab in Arrasate-Mondragón, the first multi-technology digital laboratory in Spain: a 2000 m2 space that integrates next generation infrastructure for research into different cutting-edge technologies such as collaborative robotics, cybersecurity, safety and reliability, 5G communications, artificial intelligence and quantum computing in a single location. With a surface area of 2,000 square metres, Digilab has the necessary equipment for the Basque technology centre to continue to be the leading agent in the field of technology transfer to smart industry in the field of digitisation. The laboratory has had an investment of 1.5 million euros and is the first inauguration of infrastructures and equipment with funding from the Basque Government's AZPITEK programme.

The digital technologies that Ikerlan works with are capable of offering practically unlimited possibilities for different applications. In the industrial field, they make it possible to optimise the operation of machines and processes

The digital technologies that Ikerlan works with are capable of offering practically unlimited possibilities for different applications. In the industrial field, they make it possible to optimise the operation of machines and processes, developing trains capable of running autonomously (without an engine driver), lifts or intelligent wind power generation systems capable of self-diagnosing and predicting possible errors, or consumer systems capable of anticipating the wishes of consumers.  Ikerlan works in all these applications with local companies and world leading multinationals.

Ikerlan works in all these applications with local companies and world leading multinationals

The inauguration was attended by the Basque Government's councillor for Economic Development, Sustainability and the Environment, Arantxa Tapia, the deputy general of Gipuzkoa, Markel Olano, the president of the MONDRAGON Corporation, Iñigo Ucín, the mayoress of Arrasate, María Ubarretxena, and the managing director of Ikerlan, Ion Etxeberria.

In addition, numerous companies and entities related to the technology centre have wanted to be present at this event, which included a visit to the facilities. During this visit, research staff gave demonstrations of different developments on which the centre is working for leading international clients. Leaders of companies such as Telefónica Tech, Nestlé, Aldakin, Orona, Ingeteam and CAF also participated in this event, holding a series of dialogues on the challenges of digital technologies and the contribution that the Digilab space offers to companies.

In the words of Ion Etxeberria, managing director of Ikerlan, "these facilities will reinforce Ikerlan's existing capabilities in the field of digital technologies of the future, as they will provide us with a multi-technology platform. Thanks to Digilab we will be able to capture and generate new knowledge in a quasi-industrial environment, reinforcing our good positioning in technology transfer to companies, offering real solutions to real challenges in industry. This new ecosystem of digital technologies will also foster a collaborative environment suitable for training and entrepreneurship".

The laboratory, which has required an investment of 1,5 million euros, is being developed within the framework of Azpitek, an aid programme for R&D and entrepreneurship launched last year by the Basque Governmen

The laboratory, which has required an investment of 1,5 million euros, is being developed within the framework of Azpitek, an aid programme for R&D and entrepreneurship launched last year by the Basque Government, which seeks to support the acquisition, installation and updating of scientific-technical equipment in the Basque Country's technology centres.

Digilab will also be the first industrial cybersecurity laboratory in Spain to be accredited by ENAC in accordance with the UNE17025 standard. It will be able to carry out electronic product conformity assessment tests in accordance with the new IEC 62443 standard. Ikerlan already has a methodology registered and contrasted with the main European and American entities such as ISA SECURE.

"This is a new technological leap in the history of IKERLAN, which makes a strategic commitment to specialisation in the R&D of the future and positions the centre as a benchmark in the digital technology field. As a trademark of the company, it is another important step towards bringing technology closer to the market and making client companies more competitive. It is a new example of good public-private collaboration", says Iñigo Ucín, president of MONDRAGON Corporation.

Arantxa Tapia, for her part, congratulated IKERLAN on this new infrastructure and wanted to underline the importance of R&D for the entire Basque business fabric and economy. "From the institutions, we firmly believe that the competitiveness of our economy lies to a large extent in the work carried out by the technology centres. Research and development that is then passed on to companies. The AZPITEK programme, whose budget we have just increased from 5 to 12 million euros, is, as we have seen, a great tool for making progress in this sense".

The deputy general of Gipuzkoa, Markel Olano, pointed out that the technological-digital transition has brought "important challenges to the region's industry, but also opportunities and new horizons". "Our territory has important strengths when it comes to facing all these challenges. Thanks to a powerful science and innovation network, we are making important commitments to respond with solidity and innovation to the digital transformation, an effort in which Ikerlan's Arrasate Digilab facilities will be pioneers", stressed the deputy general, who has pledged to continue in "close collaboration with companies and technology centres" to respond to the digital challenge. 

About IKERLAN

IKERLAN is a leading centre in technology transfer and in the contribution of competitive value to industry. It offers integral solutions combining different technological domains in two main areas: Electronics, Information and Communication Technologies (EICT), and Energy and Mechatronics. The technology centre's team is currently made up of 380 people. As a co-operative member of the MONDRAGON Corporation and the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), IKERLAN maintains a sustainable, competitive business model in permanent transformation. IKERLAN currently has the following accreditations: ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, UNE 16600:2014 R&D&I Management System and ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System. This is recognition of the excellence of the centre in the field of R&D&I.