CENTRO DE INNOVACION DE INFRAESTRUCTURAS INTELIGENTES

Their core work

CI3 is a Spanish research centre based in Guadalajara focused on smart infrastructure — applying digital technologies like IoT, data analytics, and connectivity solutions to transport, energy, and urban systems. They work on making logistics and mobility smarter through predictive analytics and digitalization, and have expanded into drone-based inspection and safety services for airports. Their applied research bridges intelligent infrastructure concepts with real-world deployment in transport corridors and energy systems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

CI3 began its H2020 activity (2017-2019) focused on big data for transport — digitalization, predictive analytics, and CO2 reduction in multimodal logistics. By the later period (2020-2023), they shifted toward drone-based safety services for airports and energy research capacity building, suggesting a broadening from pure data analytics toward unmanned systems and talent development. The pivot from software-centric transport analytics to physical inspection and drone integration indicates a move toward operational, field-deployed smart infrastructure solutions.

CI3 is moving from data analytics toward drone-enabled infrastructure inspection and safety, positioning itself at the intersection of unmanned systems and smart infrastructure.

How they like to work

CI3 has never coordinated an H2020 project, always joining as a participant, partner, or third party — indicating they contribute specialized capabilities rather than lead large consortia. With 103 unique partners across 18 countries from just 4 projects, they operate in very large consortia (averaging ~26 partners per project). This suggests they are comfortable plugging into big international teams where they deliver a focused technical contribution rather than managing the overall effort.

Despite only 4 projects, CI3 has built a broad network of 103 unique consortium partners spread across 18 countries, largely because they participate in large-scale European collaborative projects. Their reach is firmly pan-European with no apparent geographic concentration.

What sets them apart

CI3 occupies an unusual niche as a Spanish regional innovation centre that combines smart transport, IoT connectivity, and drone services under one roof — a combination rarely found in a single organization. Their location in Guadalajara (Castilla-La Mancha) gives them proximity to Spain's central logistics corridor while remaining outside the saturated Madrid-Barcelona research axis. For consortium builders, they offer applied infrastructure testing expertise with a regional deployment perspective that complements university-based fundamental research.

Highlights from their portfolio

• TT
  Transforming Transport was a flagship big data project with substantial funding (EUR 310,750 to CI3) applying predictive analytics to real-world logistics and mobility corridors.
• 5D-AeroSafe
  Represents CI3's newest direction — drone services for airport safety and waterway security — combining UTM integration with inspection and calibration capabilities.