CARTIF PROJECTS
GUARDIANES
Network of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence Technologies for Security and Defence
Description
The GUARDIANES network’s vision is to be the leading Spanish organisation in R&D&I for AI technologies in security and defence, focusing on the inspection, reconnaissance and verification of scenes and environments of interest to the Armed Forces or national security. It focuses on advancing work across the network’s public research centres in four key areas for AI: data, computing, algorithms/simulation, and governance aspects; validating progress through real-world use cases and scenarios; and transferring results to industry and society through experimentation and demonstration platforms, training, consultancy and internationalisation, whilst enhancing the talent, capabilities and equipment of the network’s centres.
Objectives
- To develop a strategic programme for the joint enhancement of talent and capabilities in Artificial Intelligence (data, computing, algorithms and simulation, governance) across the network’s centres, particularly in the fields of security and defence, and dual-use technologies.
- To conduct research into machine learning technologies and data value extraction for security and defence applications, with an initial focus on systems for the inspection, recognition and verification of scenes and other environments of interest to the Armed Forces or national security.
- To validate progress in these technologies through relevant test scenarios and use cases, as well as specialised demonstrators, using integrated validation scenarios: a) Tactical rescue operations in a multi-domain conflict environment; b) Intelligent surveillance and control of critical border infrastructure.
- Facilitate the dissemination and transfer of knowledge to industry and society regarding the AI technologies for security and defence on which the network focuses, thereby improving Spain’s competitive position on the international stage, technological sovereignty in the Spanish defence sector and, consequently, strategic sovereignty.
- To strengthen collaboration, talent and excellence within the network’s centres by identifying trends and challenges surrounding AI for security and defence, generating knowledge, and creating new research and experimentation infrastructures for the acquisition and utilisation of relevant data.
Actions
- Research into AI methods and techniques for data acquisition, processing and monitoring in scenarios relevant to security and defence, such as rescue operations and surveillance of critical border infrastructure.
- Collaboration in the design and creation of environments for experimenting with and demonstrating AI technologies for defence and security.
- Promotion of training, skills development, and the attraction and retention of national and international talent, as well as equal opportunities based on gender and ability, in relation to technologies linked to AI, computing and simulation for defence and security.
- Implementation of initiatives to improve Spain’s standing in AI applied to security and defence, by intensifying CARTIF’s participation in international R&D&I programmes, such as the EU Framework Programme or the European Defence Fund, and by mobilising, supporting and accompanying companies in the sector in their participation in international projects and initiatives.
Strengthening technological sovereignty and boosting business dynamism in the security and defence sector through actions to disseminate, collaborate on, demonstrate and transfer the advances of GUARDIANES for their adoption within the business community and critical environments.
Expected Results
- Research into machine learning techniques for multispectral recognition using advanced vision (including RGB and infrared/thermal cameras) and audio processing, adaptation of pre-trained vision models such as YOLO11 and Vision Transformers, and domain adaptation.
- Research into the simulation of scenarios relevant to defence and security, such as rescue scenarios, using 3D modelling, including dynamic simulation of sensor behaviour such as radar, LIDAR, visible, infrared and acoustic cameras, and the generation of synthetic 3D and behavioural content. Immersion and interaction in 3D scenes using virtual/augmented reality.
- Methods for developing lightweight AI models for deployment on computationally constrained Edge Computing platforms, load balancing and communication in structured data pipelines between multiple devices.
- Demonstrators and sandboxes for prototyping and testing in relevant scenarios, whether simulated or physical, enabling the testing, integration, demonstration and evaluation of the various technical results to be investigated.
- Study and application of explainability techniques and automated documentation for performance evaluation and improved understanding of the results of intelligent models in security and defence.
R&D Line
- Development of new machine vision solutions for industrial quality control based on deep learning.
Partners
Cervera Technology Centres
“Cervera Centre of Excellence”
CARTIF Budget: 804,657.30€
Duration: 01/01/2026 – 31/12/2028
Responsible
Iñaki Fernández Pérez
Industrial and Digital Systems
Networking
Industrial Solutions projects:
RICOSALUD1
RICOSALUD1 aims to research and develop an intelligent system based on 2D/3D computer vision and artificial intelligence for the automatic control of food intake and waste in hospitals.
AUTOLOG
AUTOLOG tiene como objetivo desarrollar soluciones tecnológicas innovadoras que optimicen la cadena de suministro logística mediante la integración de tecnologías emergentes como robótica, visión artificial, inteligencia artificial, blockchain y Big Data.
Incorporation of new equipment and processes to improve the advance digital manufacturing laboratory
Acquisition of advanced technological elements to enhance rapid prototyping services, as well as to support specific developments in the challenging processes of creating objects that are not available on the market or are costly to produce in limited quantities.
LIXIV-IA
LIXIV-IA proposes the development of solutions based on artificial intelligence (AI) and big data for the optimisation of the operation of autonomous containerised plants.
HUMAIN
HUMAIN focuses on industrial research and the creation of synergies in two use cases of complex production processes: Vertical enabling technologies and boosting these technologies by using AI, IIoT and machine vision.
STARCONNEXION
StarConnexion aims to lay the scientific and technological foundations for the application of Artificial Intelligence in quality management in long steel mills based on all possible variables that affect the final quality of the product.
Damperdoor
DAMPERDOOR looks to develop a competitive system and of high benefits for sliding doors in furniture sector. These features aim for a self-controlled closure, independent of the excessive force that a user may bring to the closing action, thus avoiding shocks and with the ability to complete the travel to a full and accurate closure.
5R
The 5R Network, Cervera network in Robotic technologies for intelligent manufacturing, has as its mission to establish a collaborative network, equipped with the necessary technology, tools and infrastructures to act as a driving force for the development and introduction of new robotic technologies in the industrial fabric.
REVAMP
The main objective is to develop, adapt and apply new technologies to improve the efficiency in the use of raw materials and energy of processes that take place on metallurgy industries.
AGROVIS
“Intelligent Visual Computing for products/processes in the agri-food sector” is an industrial research project framed in the field of computer vision (digital enabler of Industry 4.0) associated with the agrifood sector.
Intrusión-G4
The Intrusion-G4 project seeks new technologies to overcome the challenge of increasing the degree of security of the intrusion detection sensors currently available on the market.
TRREX
The TRREX project (Extended Range Robot Enabling Technologies for the Flexible Factory) investigates and develops technologies that contribute to the deployment of mobile industrial robots for the factories of the future. These systems will increase the flexibility of the plants and allow the optimization of industrial processes, improving their productivity.
NUMASTA
NUMASTA allows the development of a new generation of FRP sandwich panels for its application in the wastewater treatment sector. The distinguishing characteristic is presented in its core, based on a polyurethane foam, manufactured using formulations designed “à la carte” through a manufacturing process in a single stage where the curing process of the leathers and the foaming of the core take place in a synchronous
I-visart
i-Visart, “New artificial vision methodologies for the visual inspection of highly reflective and textured surfaces”.
It is an industrial research project framed in the field of computer vision (digital enabler of industry 4.0) associated with the industrial sector.
HABITAT-RA
CARTIF, has designed and developed a new module based on AR for smart glasses based on the recognition of QR markers to launch the experiences of AR, particularized for three technological pilots: Risk identification, Management of machine maintenance and Machine status monitoring
PUMAN
A new intelligent system has been developed for manual assembly positions in the industry. This system aims to minimize assembly errors by operators by validating operations, providing information and guiding the operator in real time through a man-machine interface based on Augmented Reality
DISCOBOLO
Nowadays in hot and cold lamination of “long” elements only the detection of punctual defects are made, not longitudinal defects. Therefore, the technological leap and the differentiating key of future products is to detect both, punctual and longitudinal defects on the production of flat steel in the rolling process, either the cold or hot process.
MARCA
MARCA provides the maintenance operator with tools that facilitate access to content, communications and technologies necessary for the guidance, support and registration of maintenance work. It is based on technologies of augmented reality, mobility and communication, as well as a knowledge base for incident management.
INCEPTION
INCEPTION develops new methods and tools for automated 3D modelling and analysis of European cultural assets proposing advancements on hardware and software, as well as new approaches for Cultural Heritage 3D data inclusive access and exploitation by means of the so called INCEPTION-Platform.
MODINTECO
The aim of MODINTECO project is to develop prototypes of Automatic Tool Changers for milling machines, modular and adaptable, intelligent and autonomous, universal..
CALYPSO
The purpose of the CALYPSO project is that the inspection process can be enriched by automatic pattern recognition techniques.