Our current collaborations with industry

With the full ARCHER 2 system and EIDF now up and running we have seen a marked increase in industrial activity utilising this infrastructure on a host of activities, ranging from simulation and modelling to data storage and processing.

Cirrus: a Tier-2 HPC system

Our Tier-2 HPC system, Cirrus, has just been upgraded with a new OS and vastly increased disk storage capacity that will support future and ongoing Industrial engagements.

Commercial project work continues with a variety of new collaborations starting across the Financial Services and Space sectors in the areas of data management and high-performance data analytics. We continue to support industry with respect to cloud architecture and optimising product development in this area.

Cerebras CS-1 AI accelerator

EPCC is working with Alchemy Machines, a London-based SME in the legal tech sector, to optimise its speech-to-text neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) models using the Cerebras CS-1 AI accelerator in the Edinburgh International Data Facility (EIDF). Built and operated by EPCC, EIDF is the set of computational and data services and IT infrastructure that underpins the Data-Driven Innovation Programme.

More efficient waste recycling

EPCC’s engagement with Danu Robotics continues, with the next phase focussed on preparing a working prototype of the Danu Robotics waste recycling solution.

Danu Robotics is working to create a robotic system to automate the sorting of material to be recycled. This system is composed of an AI image recognition component that can detect recyclables on a conveyor belt and a mechanical component that can physically pick up and sort the recyclables.

We are working closely with Danu Robotics to ensure that there is efficient communication between the image-recognition part and the mechanical component of the system.

Furthermore Danu Robotics and EPCC are discussing follow-up collaborations. This includes investigating whether the Cerebras CS-1 AI accelerator can be employed to train the image-recognition component of the system in a more efficient and “greener” fashion, making use of the better energy efficiency of Cerebras compared to traditional GPUs.

Quantum computing

EPCC is currently completing a proof-of-concept study that is testing an algorithm used for air traffic optimisation in a Quantum Computing environment as part of an ongoing collaboration with a UK-based SME and large services provider in this sector.

Our research activity in Quantum Computing has picked up significantly with EPCC’s founding role in the recent Quantum Computing Applications Cluster here in Scotland.

Finally, EPCC is exploring potential collaborations with Level E Research to optimise its autonomous trading portfolio product in cloud and high-performance computing infrastructure. This Edinburgh-based FinTech provides a modular software-as-a-service platform that collates stock market information to offer portfolio and investment recommendations to its clients.

Together, EPCC and Level E Research will be creating a cloud-based replica of the Level E Research computer cluster within the EIDF Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. This replica would enable Level E Research to try out ideas that they have for improving their services without affecting the user experience of their clients. This “virtual test bed” is, by its very nature, expandable and Level E Research hope to use it to test the infrastructure required to improve their platform without needing to commit to purchasing potentially unsuited equipment.

Further information

Read more about our services for industry: www.epcc.ed.ac.uk/industry-solutions

For access to EPCC’s HPC systems and expertise please contact EPCC's Business Development Manager, Julien Sindt.

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