Eider Mendoza, General Deputy of Gipuzkoa, and Unai Andueza, Deputy for Economic Promotion and Strategic Projects, visited the facilities of the company Biele, located in the Larrañaga industrial estate in Urrestilla. There, they learned about the "pioneering system" for industrial inspection created using artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technology. The Provincial Council, through its Gipuzkoa Quantum program, has granted aid of 70,261 euros to Biele Group for the development of this system.
Alongside Txomin Andonegi, director of Biele Group; Agosti Aranburu, technology director; Naiara Aldazabal, human resources director; and Olatz Galarza, general director of Biele Digital, the provincial representatives analyzed the project being developed at this machine tool company, along with its innovation strategy and the challenges it faces.
The focus of the meeting was to follow up on the project launched with the support of the Gipuzkoa Quantum program. With the new system being developed at Biele, "an advanced visual inspection system based on optimized artificial intelligence will be developed, capable of efficiently integrating into automated production lines and ensuring real-time and precise detection of defects in manufactured parts." The company has used quantum-inspired techniques aimed at "understanding and optimizing artificial vision models," and this "innovative approach" will allow for "deploying advanced algorithms in industrial environments with limited computational resources."
According to the provincial institution, the practical application of technologies like those being developed at Biele will "strengthen key processes related to the automation, digitalization, and control of industrial quality." Furthermore, it will boost the company's "technological development" and enable the "transformation of Gipuzkoa's industrial production system towards more intelligent, efficient, and resilient models." Mendoza has emphasized the "strategic importance": "Advanced innovation can become a fundamental tool to enhance the competitiveness of our companies and open new opportunities in highly demanding markets." She has considered it "essential" to integrate quantum technology "also into the existing industrial network, especially in SMEs, as they continue to be the main engine of our economy."
The objective of the Gipuzkoa Quantum program is to help companies incorporate new emerging technological tools and resources into their activities. The incorporation of companies like Biele Group into the program, according to the Provincial Council, "reflects the capacity of Gipuzkoa's industrial network to anticipate technological trends, integrate advanced knowledge, and turn innovation into a sustainable competitive advantage."
Txomin Andonegi, general director of Biele, also praised the program. He highlighted that their company's strategic plans have "always" prioritized "the development of innovative industrial solutions." He placed the implementation of quantum technology and the related aid within this framework: "Currently, it is a priority process to integrate quantum technology as a basis for the development of artificial intelligence systems for visual inspection equipment and systems. To this end, having the support and advice of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa through the Gipuzkoa Quantum program is a key factor in achieving the objectives set out in the project."
