New Innovation Space Opens in Gran Canaria’s Technology Park
The Institute of Technology of the Canary Islands (ITC) has launched a new Research, Development, and Innovation (R&D+i) space at the Gran Canaria Technology Park in Punta de Gáldar. This facility aims to enhance capabilities across various research areas, including scientific computing, renewable energy, water technology, biotechnology, circular economy, blue economy, and sustainability.
At the opening event, Migdalia Machín, the Canarian Minister for Universities, Science, Innovation, and Culture, highlighted the importance of this space as a collaborative infrastructure. It is designed to connect the ITC’s technological expertise with the needs of businesses, governments, universities, research centres, and innovative entities in the Canary Islands.
The mayor of Gáldar, Teodoro Sosa, and Gonzalo Piernavieja, the ITC’s R&D+i director, also attended the launch. The Canarian government reported that the initial initiatives at this new space have been driven by the ITC’s Department of Scientific Computing and Technology.
Juan Francisco Rodríguez, head of the department, explained the active technologies available at the facility, including process automation, advanced data management, sensor technology, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and robotics. These tools aim to enhance efficiency, cut costs, improve operational safety, and aid decision-making in production and resource management settings.
Current projects include TEXTIL and INNOVABLUE, both co-funded by the Interreg MAC 2021-2027 programme. TEXTIL focuses on driving sustainable models in the textile sector through image analysis and data processing technologies aimed at identifying, characterising, and classifying fabrics, facilitating reuse, recycling, and material recovery. INNOVABLUE seeks to promote green and digital transformation in marinas and sports ports using smart monitoring and management solutions based on IoT and data intelligence to enhance sustainability and efficiency.
The new R&D+i space, which spans 120 square metres across four modular containers and 180 square metres of outdoor space, provides a testing ground for applications close to real-world scenarios. This setup encourages collaboration with tech companies, research groups, and innovation agents in the Canary Islands.
Sosa described the opening of this space as a significant step in establishing the Punta Science and Technology Park as a leader in innovation, circular economy, and technological development in the region. He remarked on the commitment to creating a resource that benefits the entire northern Gran Canaria area, generating opportunities for talent and business.
The opening reflects the strategic collaboration between local innovation agents aimed at fostering applied research, promoting technological entrepreneurship, and generating opportunities linked to knowledge, innovation, and skilled employment. This partnership is vital for aligning scientific and technological skills with the productive sector in the archipelago, advancing towards a more competitive and diversified economic model responsive to the real challenges facing the Canary Islands.
