Seamlessly handling application life-cycles and underpinning IT and networking resources
The AC3 (Agile and Cognitive Cloud-edge Continuum) project is developing an innovative framework to efficiently manage data and services across the cloud-edge computing continuum (CECC). By bridging the gap between centralized cloud data centers and distributed edge computing resources, AC3 enables next-generation applications that demand low latency, high data throughput, and intelligent resource management.
AC3 creates a unified platform that spans from core cloud infrastructure to edge and far-edge devices, enabling intelligent, adaptive, and energy-efficient service delivery. The framework leverages AI, machine learning, and context-aware algorithms to optimize resource allocation and application deployment across this computing continuum.
Programme: Horizon Europe - Digital, Industry and Space
Topic: HORIZON-CL4-2022-DATA-01
Funding Scheme: HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions)
Coordinator: Industrial Systems Institute of the Athena Research Center (ISI/Athena RC), Greece
Edge computing represents a paradigm shift from traditional centralized data centers, bringing computation and data storage closer to the source. AC3 takes this concept further by creating an agile framework that manages the entire cloud-edge computing continuum as a unified, federated platform.
- Comprehensive CECC architecture including far-edge resources
- Microservice-based application deployment across the continuum
- Federated infrastructure supporting multi-stakeholder environments
- AI/ML-powered optimization for resource allocation
- Semantic and context-aware algorithms
- Zero-touch management and configuration
- Adaptive response to network events (resource constraints, data deluge, data source mobility)
- Trust and security enablers for accelerated resource sharing
- Common federated platform for multiple stakeholders
- Unified management of data sources, CECC resources, and application behavior
- Energy-efficient service delivery
- Green-oriented infrastructure management
- Optimized resource utilization to reduce carbon footprint
- Integrated data management platform
- End-to-end CECC network programmability
- Efficient lifecycle management of services and data sources
AC3 addresses the growing demands of modern applications by:
- Scalability & Agility - Dynamic service delivery across distributed infrastructure
- Low Latency & High Throughput - Ensuring guaranteed performance for resource-intensive applications
- Energy Efficiency - Reducing consumption while maintaining SLA requirements
- Context Awareness - Adapting to network events and changing conditions
- Unified Management - Harmonized control of heterogeneous CECC resources
AC3 brings together leading research institutions, technology companies, and industry experts across Europe to deliver cutting-edge cloud-edge continuum solutions.
For the complete consortium list, visit our website.
The AC3 framework enables a wide range of applications:
- Smart Cities - Real-time data processing for urban infrastructure
- Industrial IoT - Low-latency control systems for manufacturing
- Autonomous Vehicles - Edge processing for critical decision-making
- Healthcare - Privacy-preserving medical data processing
- Telecommunications - 5G/6G network optimization
- Media Streaming - Content delivery optimization
- Project Website: ac3-project.eu
- EU CORDIS: Project Fact Sheet
- Documentation: Coming soon
- Publications: Coming soon
AC3 is an EU-funded research project. For collaboration opportunities, industry partnerships, or academic inquiries, please visit our website or check the CORDIS project page for contact information.
Project outputs and open-source components will be released under appropriate licenses as they become available. Check individual repositories for specific licensing information.
AC3 contributes to Europe's digital transformation by:
- Advancing cloud-edge computing technologies
- Reducing energy consumption in IT infrastructure
- Enabling next-generation applications and services
- Fostering collaboration between research and industry
- Supporting European technological sovereignty
For more information about the AC3 project:
- 🌐 Visit: ac3-project.eu
- 📧 Contact us through our website
- 📰 Follow project updates and news
Funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No. 101093129
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.