Vienna – October 29, 2026 -- Vienna-based WAVE Trockensysteme GmbH has put its best-selling FD440 freeze dryer under AI control, replacing a conventional industrial controller with the Interkey Brain system. On its first run on October 23, the AI rewrote its own program mid-process without stopping the machine. To WAVE's knowledge, this is the first industrial machine on the market guided by an AI rather than a fixed-program controller.
AI rewrites its own code during a live drying cycle
During the first batch, the team asked the AI to look for improvements while drying was under way. The system analyzed live measurement data, rewrote its program and installed the new version. The drying process did not have to be interrupted.
Controller handles batches, records and flags deviations for food producers
Freeze-drying a batch often takes more than a day, and results depend on many settings. The new controller can run batches autonomously, log each one and tune the process to the specific product. It compares every run with the machine's normal state and reports anomalies. It also suggests improvements to the recipe, the product or the room temperature. New functions can be added with AI support instead of being reprogrammed from scratch.
Independent module keeps temperature safety out of the AI's reach
A separate component monitors temperature limits and can switch off the heating on its own, regardless of what the AI does. The AI cannot modify this part.
WAVE Managing Director Michael Marcovici described the launch as a world first for industrial machinery generally, not only for freeze dryers.
First customer deliveries are due in about one month
The first freeze dryers with Interkey Brain are scheduled to ship to customers in roughly a month. WAVE also plans the AI controller for its new 5-tonne Big Wave system. Interkey Brain can be used in other industrial machines, and WAVE deploys the technology under a cooperation with Interkey.