Recently, the consortium partners met at the facilities of ITCL Technology Centre (Burgos), together with the auditor from CDTI —the public innovation funding body of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, which promotes innovation and technological development in Spanish companies— to review progress and coordinate the next milestones of the project. This meeting helped strengthen collaboration between the participating companies and technology centres, while allowing participants to share preliminary results from the different research areas.
KAIROS, a company focused on researching advanced technologies in materials and manufacturing processes, as well as Industry 4.0 solutions for the efficient production of composite gates and large-scale components for naval applications, addresses one of the sector’s main challenges: producing large components that are lighter, stronger, and more sustainable, while simultaneously reducing both weight and overall manufacturing cycle costs.
To achieve this, the project explores new composite materials, automated processes, computer vision, advanced sensing, and digital twins, integrating all these technologies within an Industry 4.0 environment.
The practical application focuses on developing a ship loading door made of composite material, which will serve as a demonstrator of the automated infusion process and the intelligent control system proposed by the consortium.
Coordinated by CT Solutions, the KAIROS consortium is made up of seven companies: SOFITEC, IZERTIS, SEGULA Technologies, SP Consultores, CRAMIX, SA, and Global Vacuum Presses by Nabuurs Developing SL, and five research organizations: AIR Institute, ITCL Technology Centre, GAIKER, University of Cádiz, and CATEC (Advanced Center for Aerospace Technologies).
Each partner contributes a complementary perspective, enabling a comprehensive approach—from research into materials and processes to the development of digital architectures for monitoring and predictive maintenance. In this latter area, AIR Institute contributes its expertise in Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI), Edge Computing, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to create digital twins that enhance process quality and efficiency.
KAIROS is part of CDTI’s CIEN program and serves as a clear example of how public-private collaboration can drive the modernization of the Spanish naval industry. Its impact is expected to go beyond improving competitiveness, also contributing to reducing material consumption, saving energy, and creating highly qualified jobs in advanced manufacturing.
The recent follow-up meeting confirms that the project is successfully progressing toward its objectives, marking another step forward on the path to a smarter, more digital, and more sustainable shipbuilding industry.