Daedalus · Project

An App Store for Factory Automation Software That Works Across Any Machine Brand

manufacturingPilotedTRL 6

daedalus.iec61499.eu

Imagine factory machines from different brands can't talk to each other — like having an iPhone that can't text an Android. Daedalus built a common platform (based on the IEC-61499 standard) so automation software can run on any machine, from any vendor. On top of that, they created a marketplace — basically an app store where engineers buy, sell, and share ready-made automation apps instead of coding everything from scratch. They proved it works at every level, from a single device all the way up to an entire factory.

By the numbers

consortium partners across the project

countries represented in the consortium

64%

industry partner ratio in the consortium

SMEs involved in the project

demo deliverables including showcases at 5 levels

EUR 3,994,296

EU contribution to the project

total deliverables produced

The business problem

What needed solving

Most factories run automation systems from multiple vendors that don't communicate with each other, forcing expensive custom integration for every new machine or product change. Reconfiguring a production line means weeks of reprogramming because control software is locked to specific hardware. There is no easy way to buy, share, or reuse proven automation solutions across different equipment brands — every factory reinvents the wheel.

The solution

What was built

The project built a complete distributed automation platform based on the IEC-61499 standard, including: reference implementations of both an IEC-61499 Controller and a CPS-izer (software and hardware), an Optimal Orchestration SDK for designing distributed control applications, simulation-as-a-service for near-real-time testing, and a validated Digital Marketplace (app store) for buying and selling automation solutions. All of this was demonstrated through proof-of-concept showcases at five levels — device, agent, machine, plant, and factory.

Audience

Who needs this

Automotive and discrete manufacturers running multi-vendor production linesSystem integrators building custom automation solutions for each clientPackaging companies that frequently reconfigure production linesIndustrial automation vendors wanting a marketplace to sell reusable control modulesFactory operations managers responsible for reducing integration costs and downtime

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Automotive & Discrete Manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Mid-to-large automotive or electronics manufacturers running multi-vendor production lines

If you are an automotive manufacturer dealing with production lines full of machines from different vendors that can't coordinate — this project developed a distributed control platform based on IEC-61499 that lets all your equipment work together regardless of brand. The validated proof-of-concept showcases cover every level from device to full factory. With 9 industrial partners in the consortium, interoperability was tested across real vendor boundaries.

Industrial Automation & System Integration

SME

Target: Automation solution providers and system integrators looking for new revenue channels

If you are a system integrator or automation vendor tired of building custom solutions for every client — this project created a Digital Marketplace and App Store where you can package and sell reusable automation modules. The Optimal Orchestration SDK simplifies building distributed control applications, and the validated ecosystem model lets you reach customers you'd never find alone. The consortium of 14 partners across 7 countries already proved the marketplace concept.

Packaging & Consumer Goods Manufacturing

mid-size

Target: Mid-size manufacturers needing flexible production line reconfiguration

If you are a packaging or consumer goods manufacturer that loses production time every time you reconfigure a line for a new product — this project built a reconfigurable automation platform where control logic can be redistributed across machines without rewiring. The simulation-as-a-service feature lets you test new configurations virtually before touching the real line. Proof-of-concept showcases validated this at plant and factory level.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt this platform?

The project does not publish licensing or subscription fees. The EUR 3,994,296 EU-funded development was split across 14 partners, so the underlying R&D investment is substantial. Contact the coordinator (Synesis, Italy) for commercial pricing of the IEC-61499 platform and marketplace access.

Can this scale to a full production factory, not just a lab demo?

The project delivered proof-of-concept showcases at five distinct levels: device, agent, machine/equipment, plant, and factory. The factory-level showcase specifically validates that the distributed control approach works beyond single machines. However, full industrial-scale deployment data is not published in the available deliverables.

Who owns the IP, and can I license this technology?

IP is shared among the 14 consortium partners under standard Horizon 2020 rules. The coordinator Synesis (an Italian SME) is the primary contact for licensing. The platform is built on the open IEC-61499 standard, which reduces vendor lock-in risk.

Does this work with our existing automation equipment?

The core goal was interoperability across vendors. The IEC-61499 CPS-izer reference implementation (both software and hardware) is designed to bridge existing equipment into the distributed platform. With 9 industry partners including automation vendors from 7 countries, cross-vendor compatibility was a central design requirement.

How long would implementation take?

The project ran for 36 months (October 2016 to September 2019) from concept to validated factory-level showcases. For a single production line, implementation would likely be significantly shorter since the platform and SDKs are already built. Based on available project data, specific deployment timelines for end users are not published.

Is there ongoing support or is this a dead EU project?

The project ended in September 2019. However, the consortium included 7 SMEs with commercial incentives to continue development. The Digital Marketplace was designed as a self-sustaining ecosystem with a multi-sided business model. Check the project website at daedalus.iec61499.eu for current status.

What standards does this comply with?

The entire platform is built on the IEC-61499 standard for distributed automation. This is an international standard specifically designed for function-block-based control of industrial processes. Using an established standard rather than a proprietary system reduces long-term risk and ensures broader compatibility.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a heavily industry-driven consortium: 9 out of 14 partners (64%) come from industry, and 7 are SMEs — meaning the technology was built by companies that need to sell it, not just by academics writing papers. The coordinator Synesis is itself an Italian SME, which signals commercial intent from the top. Partners span 7 countries (Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, UK), covering major European manufacturing markets. With only 2 universities and 1 research organization, the balance tilts strongly toward practical, deployable results rather than theoretical research. For a business buyer, this consortium composition is a positive signal: the people who built this technology have skin in the game.

SYNESIS-SOCIETA CONSORTILE A RESPONSABILITA LIMITATACoordinator · IT
LULEA TEKNISKA UNIVERSITETparticipant · SE
QBROBOTICS SRLparticipant · IT
BLUEBOTICS SAparticipant · CH
NXTCONTROL GMBHparticipant · AT
CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHEparticipant · IT
TTS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER SYSTEMS SRLparticipant · IT
LIBELIUM COMUNICACIONES DISTRIBUIDAS SLparticipant · ES
SCUOLA UNIVERSITARIA PROFESSIONALE DELLA SVIZZERA ITALIANAparticipant · CH
SPINDOX UK LTDparticipant · UK

How to reach the team

Synesis S.c.a.r.l. (Italy) — an SME consortium company that coordinated the project. Use SciTransfer's contact service for a direct introduction to the technical team.

Order a report on this consortium See SYNESIS-SOCIETA CONSORTILE A RESPONSABILITA LIMITATA profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to evaluate whether the Daedalus platform fits your factory automation challenge? SciTransfer can arrange a technical briefing with the consortium team and help you assess integration feasibility — contact us for a tailored one-page brief.

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