December 11, 2020 – Coordinated by the ETP4HPC, the TransContinuum Initiative (TCI) is the union of related digital technologies which offers solutions for the operation of complex data workflow systems. In this continuum, HPC plays a central role as the engine propelling AI, Big Data, IoT, Cybersecurity, and Mathematical components to work together.
TCI is developing a vision of the characteristics of the infrastructure required for the convergence of data and compute capabilities in many leading edge industrial and scientific use scenarios. A paradigm change is needed: we will have to design systems encompassing millions of compute devices distributed over scientific instruments, IoT, supercomputers and Cloud systems through LAN, WLAN and 5G networks.
The ambition of TCI is also to become a meeting place of experts representing various disciplines in both science and industry – an asset that Europe can apply in the resolution of its other challenges such as healthcare, climate change or smart cities.
TCI will focus on collaboration towards five objectives:
- Elaborate joint recommendations for R&D to be carried out in EU- or JU-funded work programmes addressing challenges in the digital continuum.
- Engage with EU Research & Innovation funding entities to promote our recommendations.
- Generate and foster an interdisciplinary network of experts in science and industry.
- Contribute to Strategic Research [and Innovation] Agendas or any other road mapping documents issued by participating partners, specifically on interdisciplinary technical aspects, with a view to extend the concept of co-design to cover the entire continuum.
- Contribute to the 5 Horizon Europe missions (adaptation to climate change including societal trans-formation, cancer, healthy oceans, seas coastal and inland waters, climate-neutral and smart cities, soil health and food.) One of the first pragmatic actions will be to design the contribution of the Digital Twin enabler to the Horizon Europe missions.
The foundations of the work to be carried out by the TCI have now been defined in a vision document signed by eight organisations:
- 5G IA, the 5G Infrastructure Association,
- AIOTI, the Alliance of Internet Of Things Innovation,
- BDVA, the Big Data Value Association,
- CLAIRE, the Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe,
- ECSO, the European Cybersecurity Organisation,
- ETP4HPC, the European Technology Platform for High-Performance Computing,
- EU-Maths-In, the European Service Network of Mathematics for Industry and Innovation,
- HiPEAC project (High Performance Embedded Architecture and Compilation).
