Lakeside Labs acquires COMET center on autonomic resilience in dynamic networked systems

Our proposal “Autonomic resilience in dynamic networked systems” (for short: ARC), led and hosted by Lakeside Labs, has been approved for funding to become one of Austria’s COMET Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies, fostering collaboration between academic and industry partners.

The center will develop innovative methods and technologies to strengthen the resilience of networked systems facing crises and external shocks. It focuses on resilience functionality that enables systems to operate in a semi-autonomous manner while keeping humans at the center of decision-making. Research will address challenges in three key application domains: energy grids, industrial production, and organizations. The research program comprises 16 projects, ranging from collaborative research tackling concrete challenges faced by industrial partners to fundamental research exploring long-term scientific opportunities.

ARC is expected to operate with a four-year budget of 22.8 M€, including 11.4 M€ in public funding and about 10 M€ company contributions. The industrial consortium brings together 18 companies, with a focus on the energy and industrial sectors. The scientific consortium is anchored in Klagenfurt, with partners in Vienna and Graz, and features a strong international dimension through players from Dresden, Zürich, and Freiburg, as well as ten associated partners.

Press conference at Lakeside Labs on June 11, 2026

At a press conference held by the state of Carinthia, Governor/Landeshauptmann Daniel Fellner and the owners of Lakeside Labs GmbH celebrated the success together with the applicants. Ada Pellert, Rector of the University of Klagenfurt, emphasized the significance of the center for both the university and the region: “The approval of the COMET Competence Center ARC is a tremendous success for Carinthia as a research and innovation hub and a strong endorsement of the scientific excellence of the University of Klagenfurt and Lakeside Labs […]. This project demonstrates that researchers in Austria are actively addressing some of today’s most pressing challenges. Autonomous and resilient systems capable of withstanding shocks and crises are key technologies for Europe’s future.” Landeshauptmann Fellner said: “It is fantastic that Carinthia has won the bid. Resilience will play an important role in how well we handle crises, natural disasters, and technological challenges in the future. Carinthia taking a leading role in this field sends a strong message.” BABEG director Hornböck adds: “We are generating significant value for this region. Carinthia boasts outstanding expertise in the crucial field where scientific research is turned into real-world applications.”