Drone (UAV) Technology in the European Union (EU) as Part of the Digitalization Process

The fundamental question remains, however, how to integrate these devices safely into airspace where manned aviation operates. To address such over-arching challenge, innovation has to spearhead novel solutions in terms of:

• System safety and data gathering;
• System certification;
• Command and control link issues;
• Control station layout and certification;
• Ground and airborne sense and avoid; and
• Environmental impacts.

A new EU innovation blueprint is therefore necessary to tackle the full range of issues in a holistic manner. The emergence of drones has to be understood as another step in the digital revolution. The latter relies on networks that bring together multifaceted expertise across product design, development, and operation and associated services. In addition to hardware – e.g. lighter products and battery efficiency – the software perspective is pivotal to ensure value generation in the new production and service chains. These will command enlarged partnerships between the drone industry partnerships and other digital and intelligent systems and telecommunication sectors, to deliver the end-to-end service concepts and retail strategies customers dream upon.

Supporting research and opportunities to test drones across the Union is pivotal. These opportunities should become embedded in a wider policy of innovation in product and service development – in close collaboration with universities or research institutes. The next generation of innovators —the start-ups mushrooming in the digital wave — are expected to take drone technology to the next level. This makes the digital-focused communities and the education system at large critically important.  Training and education is not just about higher education. Forward-thinking high schools around the world have already discovered this potential on their own, adding drone technology courses to their standard curriculum. These courses are popular, and have connected participating schools and students with drone companies and researchers in the real world.

In the reports of DRONE MARKET WATCH^TM you will learn how drones (UAVs) could be operated in the EU airspace in the coming years to maintain the high levels of safety, privacy and data protection, security, or environmental protection. More information you may read here: Global Drone (UAV) Flight Regulations