A Look Back at the 6th AIRlabs Future Conference at Graz Airport
On December 9, 2025, the drone community gathered in Graz for the 6th AIRlabs Future Conference under the theme “Today and Tomorrow – Global Benchmarks for UAS Applications.” The event brought together national and international experts from research, industry, and government agencies, providing not only a forum for professional exchange but also an opportunity to look back on six years of the AIRlabs Austria Innovation Lab and to look ahead to the future of unmanned aviation.
Six Years of AIRlabs – Milestones, Emotions, and a Look Ahead
The event kicked off with a joint presentation by Roswitha Wiedenhofer-Bornemann, Managing Director of AIRlabs Austria, and Holger Friehmelt, Technical Director. Through striking images and stories, they brought to life the milestones, successes, setbacks, and emotional moments from six years of AIRlabs. For both of them, it was a special moment to pause and look back together shortly before the relaunch of AIRlabs 2.0. Joy, curiosity, and excitement were just as palpable as the shared determination to continue steadfastly on the path they had chosen.
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International benchmarks and best practices in the field of universities of applied sciences
The keynote address by Nils Gageik of EmQopter focused on technology. He presented the current state of the art in the use of drones in the energy sector and illustrated specific use cases through a live demonstration. This clearly showed how drones are already making a significant contribution to efficiency, safety, and sustainability in industrial applications.
Following this, Alberto Iovino provided insights into Italy’s path to success, from USSP and CISP certification to operational excellence in UAS operations. Iovino works in the ENAV and D-Flight ecosystem and played a key role in making D-Flight the first organization in Europe to be certified as both a U-Space Service Provider and a Common Information Service Provider. His presentation impressively demonstrated how regulatory frameworks, technical systems, and operational experience can successfully work together.
Research, education, and training as key factors
FFG Take Off projects: IFIRE & DroneExpert
Another key focus of the conference was safe drone operations under challenging environmental conditions. Among the projects presented was IFIRE (Icing Forecast in Real Environment), which addresses the safe execution of UAS missions despite icing risks and develops new approaches to forecasting and risk assessment.
Building on this, Gernot Paulus from Carinthia University of Applied Sciences presented the TakeOff Qualification Network “Drone Expert.” The goal of this project is to establish a national qualification network designed to provide comprehensive and standardized training for drone experts in Austria. This will make an important contribution to the professionalization and comparability of qualifications in the UAS sector.
International Perspectives from the Far North
With his presentation on benchmark examples from research and development at the Arctic Aviation Hub, Magnus Wiklund brought an international perspective to the conference. The Arctic Aviation Hub is regarded as a unique innovation hub because it combines real-world testing conditions in an Arctic environment with modern infrastructure. Cold temperatures, darkness, and extreme weather conditions make it a unique testing ground for new aviation technologies and unmanned systems.
Economy, Competition, and Supporting Young Talent
The subsequent panel discussion focused on the question of what factors make regions competitive in an international context and how economic conditions, innovation, and regulation must interact to successfully scale drone applications.
Another highlight was the presentation of the World Champions of the AIAA Design-Build-Fly Competition by joanneum Aeronautics. The team from FH JOANNEUM impressively demonstrated the potential inherent in the education and support of young scientific and technical talent and the contribution that young talents can make to the further development of aviation.
AIRlabs 2.0 – Moving Forward Together
At the conclusion of the Future Conference, AIRlabs Austria’s future membership model was presented, and an outlook on AIRlabs 2.0 was provided. Despite the end of the current funding period, we stand united behind AIRlabs and its commitment to using drone technology responsibly, effectively, and sustainably for the benefit of industry and society. Together, we look ahead to new projects, new partnerships, and a shared future in the UAS sector.
An evening full of inspiration with the Arctic Expedition Team
The day’s proceedings came to an emotional close with a group dinner featuring a special speech by the FH JOANNEUM Arctic Expedition Team. The audience listened intently, asked questions, laughed, and marveled as the team recounted their research work and life in Greenland. The stories ranged from logistical challenges—such as the adage “If there are no eggs, there are no eggs”—to cutting-edge research projects.
Particularly impressive were the reports on research projects involving glacial meltwater and AI-based safety systems designed to detect bears and provide early warnings to researchers and residents. Drone technology also played a central role, for example in training to become a drone pilot and in successful operations under extreme conditions. The descriptions of arctic foxes, on-site improvisation, and intensive preparation phases made it clear just how much passion and ingenuity go into these expeditions.
