The EU-funded KINETIKA project officially kicked off with an in-person meeting hosted by the University of Salamanca at the Polytechnic School of Engineering in Ávila, with the option of online participation for key contributors who were unable to travel. Partners from across Europe gathered to align on the project’s vision and first implementation steps: developing a groundbreaking 4D digital twin framework for cultural heritage assets that include mechanical or moving parts—supporting both research and real-world conservation workflows.

During the kick-off, the consortium presented the full scope and distinctive character of the project. Participants highlighted KINETIKA’s importance in bringing together, for the first time, digital twin approaches for heritage with moving components—enabling knowledge creation while also strengthening protection, documentation, monitoring, and long-term preservation, and generating reusable datasets for researchers and professionals across the cultural and creative sectors.

Work Package leaders introduced the project’s technical roadmap and the first activities already underway, covering advanced 3D capture and documentation, sensor-driven monitoring, AI-supported analytics, simulation, and interoperability. The consortium also outlined early implementation steps and coordination mechanisms to ensure efficient collaboration across all partners.

A key highlight of the meeting was the participation of Xavier Rodier (ECHOES), who briefed the consortium on the objectives and progress of the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH) and on collaboration pathways with sister projects that will interact with KINETIKA in the near future.

The consortium also welcomed the online participation of Maria Claudia Bodino (Project Officer) and Alexandros Koutsimpelas (Project Adviser, European Research Executive Agency – REA), who joined to follow the project’s launch and early implementation planning.

“Welcome to Ávila — a UNESCO World Heritage City rich in monuments and living history. I hope you enjoy the city and its cultural heritage, but above all, I hope we make the most of this kick-off meeting. It’s our first opportunity to meet in person, to discuss the technical foundations of an ambitious project, and to build the shared momentum that will turn our vision into tangible impact.”

— Diego González Aguilera, Project Coordinator and Host, University of Salamanca (USAL)

Over the project’s lifetime, KINETIKA will validate its approach through five pilot demonstrations across Europe, showcasing how 4D digital twins can support documentation, monitoring, diagnosis, and long-term preservation of dynamic heritage assets in real-world conditions.

Press release: Click here

Project website: https://kinetika-eccch.eu/  

Press contact: kinetika.heu@usal.es