More flexible, efficient and resilient digital factories using software

The XWAVE initiative has a clear vision: to move towards software-defined factories

XWAVE, led by TECNALIA, aims to transform industrial manufacturing systems to enable them to be managed and adapted using software. It is about virtualising key functionalities of the production that currently relies on physical hardware, enabling factories to be reconfigured digitally throughout their life-cycle.

The project addresses the need of the industrial sector to gain flexibility and adaptability

XWAVE has a clear vision: to move towards software-defined, modular and scalable factories , which are able to adapt to new products or production volumes without any physical changes in the plant.

• TECNALIA is responsible for the virtualisation of industrial controllers and the development of digital twins of manufacturing means and processes, laying the foundations for a more flexible and reconfigurable industrial system.
• The vision of the project is to present the Basque manufacturing sector with a first conceptual demonstrator of a modular and scalable manufacturing system, which is fully software-based and prone to digital reconfiguration without any physical changes in the factory by 2027.

We are developing three main lines:

• The virtualisation of industrial automation, replacing physical components, such as PLCs with software solutions.
• The development of software-definedcommunications and computing, leading to more flexible and efficient industrial networks.
• The creation of digital twins of machines, robots and processes, facilitating real-time monitoring, predictive analysis and the continuous optimisation of production.

These technologies will be validated through three Proofs of Concept (PoC)

• PLANT BRAIN, focusing on the dynamic reconfiguration of production control.
• LIVING NETWORK, aimed at self-optimised industrial networks.
• GHOST FACTORY, based on digital twins connected to software-defined manufacturing systems.

More flexible, efficient and resilient digital factories

The implementation of XWAVE is a major step towards more flexible, efficient and resilient digital factories, enabling the manufacturing sector to become more competitive, facilitating rapid adaptation to market changes, product customisation and the continuous improvement of processes.

The project will also contribute to the evolution towards Industry 5.0, laying the foundations for future software-based industrial developments.

**In addition to TECNALIA, the Ideko, Tekniker, Ikerlan and Vicomtech technology centres are taking part in the initiative, as well as the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).