Innovation to transform Europe: Vicomtech’s Contribution

Europe Day is celebrated every May 9th to promote the values of peace and unity in Europe. Behind this historic celebration lies a fundamental pillar: a firm commitment to science, research, and innovation as drivers of collective progress. On this symbolic day, we not only reflect on the political and social achievements of European integration but also on its remarkable contribution to global scientific knowledge.

As part of this celebration, we at Vicomtech also want to share how we have been driving European progress through research and innovation for years.

At Vicomtech, we contribute to Europe’s progress through applied research and technological development, boosting its digital leadership and global competitiveness. Since our beginnings 25 years ago, Vicomtech has collaborated in, participated in, and led projects under the European Union's Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, playing an active role in advancing technology across multiple sectors such as mobility, advanced industry, energy, environment, security, and health.

Since 2021, under the Horizon Europe programme, we have been involved in 58 projects across different fields. Some of the most impactful projects in recent years include: AITHENA, LUCIA, AMPLIFY, and RESPONDENT.

In a context where Artificial Intelligence is gaining ground in sectors like mobility, the AITHENA project, led by Vicomtech, works to ensure that AI systems are trustworthy, explainable, and responsible. At Vicomtech, we contribute our knowledge to make these systems both general and mobility-specific ethical, safe, transparent, and understandable for the public. This approach strengthens public trust in emerging technologies that will shape the future of transport and mobility.

LUCIA aims to transform the prevention and early detection of lung cancer through advanced risk factor analysis. Vicomtech plays an active role in this project by coordinating the integration of clinical data to develop new AI models for diagnosing and predicting lung cancer. LUCIA includes a clinical study involving 1,400 people recruited in Bizkaia alone. This initiative not only enhances scientific understanding of the disease but also contributes to saving lives through more personalized, anticipatory, and patient-centered medicine.

AMPLIFY, led by Vicomtech, proposes innovative “phygital” solutions that blend the physical and digital to revitalize cultural and creative industries. At Vicomtech, we work to ensure that technology becomes a partner of the arts, enabling new forms of expression, interaction, and cultural access. The project places special emphasis on democratizing cultural content, making it more accessible and inclusive for all audiences.

The RESPONDENT project tackles one of the major challenges of the energy transition: how to efficiently integrate renewable energies into the power grid. Through advanced forecasting and synchronization models, Vicomtech helps improve the stability of smart grids, promoting a more resilient, sustainable energy system that benefits society as a whole.

Today, May 9th, Europe Day, is the perfect occasion to highlight and recognize the unity of the continent and all the stakeholders contributing to its growth and global competitiveness, a commitment Vicomtech has embraced for 25 years and which will continue to guide our mission in research and innovation.

Happy Europe Day!