Project R-16782

ETCETERA: Einstein Telescope Computing, Experimental Testbed & End-to-end Research Architecture. (Research)

Europe faces a digital competitiveness and sovereignty challenge. Europe has 5% of global AI computing capacity and relies on non-European providers for 92% of cloud infrastructure. No single territory in the Meuse-Rhine area has the critical mass to close this gap alone. ETCETERA turns this challenge into an opportunity. Using the computing needs of the Einstein Telescope (ET) as an innovation driver, the project will design and validate AI-enabled workflows for multi-GB/s data streams, petabyte-scale storage, and rapid analysis for early alerts. These solutions also support the region's Industry 5.0 transition toward data-driven monitoring, automation, and simulation. The project supports the Interreg Meuse-Rhine programme by building cross-border innovation capacity and shared digital infrastructure. It contributes to the grand societal challenge "Industrial Transition" by accelerating the adoption of trustworthy AI and advanced data processing in regional value chains. Cross-border cooperation is essential because strengths are distributed: Belgium excels in data science and embedded computing; the Netherlands in algorithm optimisation and AI hardware co-design; and Germany in high-performance and distributed computing. ETCETERA pools these capabilities through joint development, pilots, shared infrastructure, and training. What is new is the integrated approach. Instead of isolated regional pilots, ETCETERA links ET with industrial digital transformation and connects the AI Factory initiative into one interoperable ecosystem. Result: validated prototypes and guidance that reduce time-to-market and adoption risk.

01 October 2026 - 30 September 2029