IKERLAN was founded in 1974 and initially worked in Eskola's "Red Room". That IKERLAN, known as the Research and Development Centre, depended on the League of Education and Culture, a body that promoted education in Alto Deba. Under the direction of Manuel Quevedo, the practical applications of research began to be glimpsed.

In 1976, applications based on the Finite Element Method were developed and in 1978 Gizamat, the first industrial robot prototype in Spain, was created. Gizamat, the first industrial robot prototype in Spain, was created. The company also began to research alternative energy technologies and introduced CAD/CAM. The work carried out by IKERLAN in this area has been key to the strengthening of IKERLAN, given the importance of these technologies in automation. The work carried out by IKERLAN in this field, given the importance of these technologies in automation, was key to strengthening the Basque industrial fabric and thus increasing its competitiveness. In 1977, after the oil crisis, IKERLAN took its first steps in the field of energy technology, and two years later it developed solar collectors that used solar thermal energy to produce collectors that used solar thermal energy to heat water.

IKERLAN signed its first collaboration agreement with the Basque Government. This agreement allowed for greater financial and institutional support, providing almost 50% of the budget.

IKERLAN collaborated in innovative projects with various cooperative companies such as Orona, Fagor Electrodomésticos, Copreci or Fagor Arrasate.

During this period, one of the most significant milestones of the decade was the participation in the SBS project, with the development of the control system for the Ramses experimental instrument for the separation of proteins in microgravity at NASA's ‘Spacelab’ space laboratory. This milestone helped to strengthen IKERLAN's global reputation.

IKERLAN diversified its research areas and collaborated with companies such as CAF in train position detection, Azcoyen in the development of an electronic coin selector, Irizar with the re-engineering plan and PSA in the development of a constraint-based design system for automotive components.

A new laboratory specialising in micro and nanotechnologies is inaugurated at the Garaia Park in Arrasate-Mondragón. The construction of the building and the start-up of the research activities had the financial support of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, the MONDRAGON Corporation, the Basque Government and the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa.

On the occasion of IKERLAN's 40th anniversary, the research activity on energy storage was transferred to the Orona Ideo facilities in Hernani.

With the inauguration of DIGILAB, the most advanced digital technology laboratory in Spain, IKERLAN has confirmed its leadership in innovation.

IKERLAN opened a headquarters in Bilbao in collaboration with the City Council, with the aim of transferring technology and attracting and developing talent by collaborating with institutions, business clusters, universities and research centres in Bilbao.

IKERLAN obtains the Cybersecurity laboratory accreditation, becoming the first laboratory accredited by ENAC (National Accreditation Entity) to carry out cybersecurity tests on industrial automation and control systems.