The successful 12th AIRlabs consortium partner meeting took place online on 13 December 2023, where important topics were discussed and future plans outlined under the leadership of the host and AIRlabs management.

The executive board gave a brief overview of current financial and reporting topics and an update on the status of the project term extension.

Brief status of news and status of airspace restriction areas 

The executive board provided information on the current airspace restriction areas, including LO R 9 Steinalpl, LO R 10 Reichersberg and LO R 11 Frauschereck. Discussions about a new restricted area in Burgenland were initiated.

Dr Joachim Edel from the Frequentis AG presented the project ‘TAKE-OFF from your office desk – automated drone dispatch for railway operations using the example of ÖBB’. The project is based on hangar-based drone launch sites that allow ÖBB Infra employees to activate (remote) drones from their desks and use them for various applications. Automation ensures simple control and a high level of safety. The use of drones to assess the condition of railway tracks was discussed in the subsequent Q&A session, with questions about the test track, drone weight and expansion plans being answered.

Alexander Sysoev from Ericsson Austria presented the external lecture ‘5G evolving – latest insights into the deployment of this technology’, which highlighted the importance of 5G for drones and their possible applications. The technological developments in the drone sector in connection with 5G were also discussed. In response to a question from AIRlabs, it was explained that smart manufacturing and smart cities are likely to be among the industries that will increasingly utilise 5G.