Empowering the Future of Drone Technology: Building a Flexible and Robust Infrastructure for the Era of AI

Mai Anh Thi Lê, Special Advisor in Operation and Maintenance at Statsbygg, will share insights into how one of Norway's largest property managers has integrated drone technology into building inspections. Under her guidance, Statsbygg has implemented innovative procurement strategies and developed in-house expertise, leading to significant cost savings and enhanced safety in maintenance operations. Mai Anh will discuss best practices and lessons learned from Statsbygg's experience, offering valuable perspectives for organizations aiming to adopt drone solutions in property management.

Atilla Haugen, an innovator in drone technology, has led Biodrone in pioneering AI-driven solutions for forestry and agriculture. His work focuses on enhancing drone data analytics to improve forest management to unlock the full potential of these applications.

Trond Busterud, Fire Chief at KBR, will share the innovative journey of integrating drones into emergency response. KBR's Drone as First Responder (DFR) program has transformed traditional firefighting methods, utilizing drones to provide real-time situational awareness and rapid assessment of incidents. This approach enhances decision-making and resource allocation, effectively turning drones into aerial fire engines. Trond will discuss the development, implementation, and operational benefits of this program, offering valuable insights for fire services worldwide.

This session dives into the impact of drones on aviation safety, the effectiveness of current regulations, and whether our strategies to tackle rogue drone flights are hitting the mark. Join experts as they explore lessons learned, challenges faced, and solutions for ensuring secure and efficient airspace management in a drone-driven era. Moderator: Anders Martinsen

Ola Gaute Aas Askheim, Senior Advisor at Opinion, will present the 2024 edition of the Norsk Dronebarometer, offering a comprehensive analysis of Norway's drone industry. This year's report provides detailed data on industry size, flight hours, and associated risks. Notably, it includes feedback from operators on shaping Norway's drone strategy, highlighting key considerations for future policy development.

Join us for an insightful panel discussion featuring leaders from Norway's foremost drone companies—Nordic Unmanned, Robot Aviation, and Stellaire—as they share their experiences of overcoming significant financial and operational challenges. Despite facing substantial losses and industry-wide upheaval, these companies have demonstrated remarkable resilience and are now charting a course toward recovery. This session will delve into the factors that led to the industry's recent volatility, the lessons learned during these trying times, and the strategies being implemented to fortify Norway's drone sector for future growth. Gain firsthand insights into how these industry pioneers are adapting to a rapidly evolving landscape and what it means for the future of unmanned aviation in Norway. Moderator: David Hansen

Rune Schlanbusch, a leading expert in Norway's drone industry, will facilitate an interactive workshop focused on shaping the nation's forthcoming drone strategy. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute their perspectives, influencing the future direction of drone integration and policy in Norway.

Rune Schlanbusch, a leading expert in Norway's drone industry, will facilitate an interactive workshop focused on shaping the nation's forthcoming drone strategy. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute their perspectives, influencing the future direction of drone integration and policy in Norway.

Trond Bjørkedal Øvregård, COO of Romvesen, will highlight how drones are transforming agriculture and forestry to address modern challenges. Drawing on experiences from the aftermath of the extreme weather event "Hans," Ove will share how drones were utilized to assess storm damage and support recovery efforts in potato farming and other crops. Additionally, he will explore innovative drone applications in Hardanger, where growers are adopting drone-based spraying techniques to minimize chemical use and improve precision in pest management. By combining efficiency, sustainability, and resilience, drones are becoming indispensable tools in the agricultural sector.

Socializing and networking

David Hansen, Enterprice public sector manager at Microsoft & Anders Martinsen, CEO of UAS Norway

Joseph Walker, Senior Analyst at Chula Vista Police Department, is a pioneer in transforming drone data into actionable insights using tools like Microsoft Power BI. His internationally acclaimed projects showcase innovative ways to visualize and analyze data, empowering organizations to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Discover how to harness the full potential of drone data to elevate your operations and unlock new possibilities.

Christopher Church, a seasoned expert in public safety, will discuss how global security dynamics influence drone usage and management. He will emphasize the importance of leveraging detection data from Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CUAS) to enhance lower airspace safety and share best practices for managing drones that fail to comply with regulations, ensuring a safer airspace for all.

Discover how Spain has effectively managed the surge in drone usage, boasting nearly 80,000 registered operators. Through a comprehensive national detection system and innovative regulations, Spain has significantly reduced unauthorized drone flights. This session delves into Spain’s strategies for balancing the benefits of lawful drone operations with robust measures against misuse, offering valuable insights for countries facing similar challenges.

Joakim Espeland, CEO of QuadSAT, will discuss how his company utilizes drone-based systems to perform precise and efficient satellite antenna testing and calibration. By integrating advanced drone technology with custom RF payloads, QuadSAT offers a mobile and cost-effective solution for antenna measurements, transforming traditional testing methods. Joakim will share insights into the development of this innovative approach and its impact on the satellite communication industry.

Despite early milestones in drone delivery, the widespread adoption of drone delivery services in general remains limited. This session brings together industry experts to explore the factors contributing to this stagnation. We will examine the regulatory challenges, market readiness, and the ongoing need for extensive testing. Is the focus on Business-to-Consumer (B2C) models hindering progress, and could a shift toward Business-to-Business (B2B) applications offer a more viable path forward? Join us as we delve into these questions to chart a strategic course for the future of drone delivery. Moderator: Anders Martinsen

Jon Knudsen, CEO of Explicit, will discuss the company's innovative use of drone-mounted sensors for environmental monitoring. Explicit specializes in detecting hazardous and illegal gas emissions from ships and monitoring waste management facilities. Their expertise in developing advanced payloads for drones has led to the creation of the Drone Flux Measurement (DFM) method, which utilizes a sniffer drone integrated with high-performance gas and wind sensors to accurately measure fugitive climate gases from various sources. Jon will share insights into how these technologies are opening new business opportunities and contributing to environmental protection.

Thomas Hårklau, CEO and Founder of Kitemill, will present the company's innovative approach to airborne wind energy (AWE) technology, leveraging drone-like kites tethered to ground-based generators. Kitemill's solution captures stronger, consistent winds at high altitudes to produce renewable energy efficiently. This groundbreaking method aims to transform wind power with reduced material use and increased cost-effectiveness. Thomas will explore how drones and AWE technology can drive the energy sector toward a sustainable, zero-emission future.

Fredrik Falkman, Head of Innovation at the Swedish Sea Rescue Society (SSRS), will discuss the integration of drone technology into maritime search and rescue operations. Under his leadership, SSRS has pioneered the use of drones to enhance situational awareness and efficiency in rescue missions. By utilizing drones for rapid deployment, SSRS has significantly improved response times and mission success rates, demonstrating the life-saving potential of this technology in challenging maritime environments.

Maron Kristófersson shares the pioneering journey of Aha.is, Iceland's leading online marketplace, which has been utilizing drone deliveries since 2018. He will discuss the challenges and successes of implementing drone technology in a small island nation, and how these experiences have influenced profitable drone delivery models in Europe.

Randall Warnas, a respected leader in the drone industry and CEO of Anzu Robotics, will shed light on the evolving role of outsourcing in drone manufacturing. Leveraging his experience from previous roles at Autel Robotics and FLIR Systems, Randall will discuss how outsourcing can drive innovation while maintaining high-quality standards. He will explore the parallels with other industries, the challenges unique to the drone sector, and Anzu Robotics’ approach to navigating these complexities. Randall’s insights will provide a roadmap for companies considering outsourcing as a strategy to scale operations and foster innovation.

Matias Braathen, CEO and Operational Manager at Above Media, will share the journey of becoming one of Norway's first operators authorized to conduct drone light shows. He will discuss the challenges and successes encountered in this innovative venture, and how drone light shows are set to transform the entertainment industry and related applications. Matias will also explore the potential of drones to replace traditional fireworks, offering a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative.

Tobias Bäckman, alongside his colleague Ole-Petter Røstad, will present how 4G/5G mobile connectivity is transforming drone operations. They will discuss how leveraging these networks can expand drone applications and mitigate operational risks, providing a more reliable failsafe mechanism for drone missions. Telia's Crowd Insights tool is important for these mitigations by leveraging anonymized and aggregated mobile network data to analyze crowd movement patterns. This innovative solution enables drone operators to assess ground risk more effectively by understanding human activity in specific areas, thereby enhancing operational safety and decision-making processes. Telia’s Coverage data is crucial to mitigate air risk by choosing optimal route for secure communication and data service communication. The presentation will give a comprehensive insight into Telia's initiatives to enhance drone operations and help you start or optimize the way you use 4G and 5G connectivity as integral part of your drone operations and services.

Max Hjalmarsson, CEO of Airpelago, will delve into the company's extensive experience in Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations, particularly within the energy sector. Airpelago has conducted numerous BVLOS missions, specializing in power line inspections, and has been instrumental in transitioning from traditional helicopter methods to autonomous drones. Max will discuss the strategies behind their success, focusing on achieving high operational volumes while maintaining stringent safety standards. He will also explore how Airpelago's innovative approaches are reshaping infrastructure inspections and contributing to a more sustainable and efficient industry.