Technological and scientific purpose of iLOAD project is to meet the needs of civil construction industry and social expectations in decreasing number of occupational accidents of cranes working in different industries and environmental protection requirements. Therefore, the main research goals are to develop a new approach to control system in order to improve operational safety conditions and efficiency of load handling equipment and to develop design strategies of advanced light materials in application for load handling structures in order to reduce their weight and fuel consumption at the same time.These objectives will be met thanks to multidisciplinary approach to crane construction. The top-level architecture of the control logic will be defined, based on the best-possible practices existing in different industries. This kind of clear and open source architecture will enable outsourcing of various control logic development services to SME type of companies. Moreover, the new structural materials would be applied for crane construction based on CFRP reinforced steel structures. As a results significant reduction of structure weight is expected.These objectives will be met thanks to mutual transfer of knowledge between academic and industrial partners during a common research work. A synergistic approach is proposed between electronic, mechatronics and materials technology, based on knowledge exchange between an industrial partners (CARGOTEC NL, PL, SE) strongly involved in the load handling markets, and three academic partners (2 from Poland and 1 from Sweden,) that have complementary experience.Project duration is 3 years and during this time thanks to participation in joint research activities extended training will be provided to 3 early stage researchers, 5 experienced researchers from the partner institutions and 3 experienced researchers recruited from outside the consortium. A total period of 135 months of secondment and recruitment is planned.