On 24 October 2024, we took part in the Aviation Forum Austria in Vienna, which was all about the future of research and innovation in aviation. In the midst of experts, decision-makers and several hundred participants, we were not only able to establish contacts for future research projects, but also present our previous successes and projects.

As a BMK-funded innovation laboratory, we presented the progress made by AIRlabs and gave an insight into ‘AIRlabs 2.0’ – the next development phase for innovative unmanned aviation technology and research. ‘We were delighted to be able to present AIRlabs and two of our projects, SORA4UAM* in cooperation with the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences and LAUDENT**, at such a prominent location,’ says Tom Bruchmann, technical employee at AIRlabs Austria, ’and to show the achievements of the innovation lab and our expertise through discussions and video material.’ Katja Rinck, research assistant at AIRlabs Austria, also reported that she and Gernot Paulus from the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences were delighted with the high level of participation in the survey for SORA4UAM. ‘The many exciting questions we received made for a very enriching exchange of ideas.’

In addition to the numerous networking opportunities, there was a lively exchange of ideas on future concepts in aviation. Dr Holger Friehmelt, Head of the Institute of Aviation at FH JOANNEUM and Technical and Scientific Director of AIRlabs Austria, believes that AIRlabs is on the right track: ‘AIRlabs is slowly taking flight – for example, our airspace restriction areas, which we can also offer on a long-term basis, are increasingly being used by international companies to drive innovation.’ 

Due to thematic overlaps with sustainable technologies, AI-supported innovations and the aviation of the future, our focal points met with a great response and paved the way for future cooperation opportunities.

*SORA4UAM (consortium partners: Carinthia University of Applied Sciences – SIENA research group, FH JOANNEUM -Aviation, AIRlabs Austria GmbH, Austro Control GmbH – Drone Competence Centre; third-party contribution: FACC AG)

** LAUDENT (consortium partners: Research Centre for Non Destructive Testing GmbH (RECENDT); FACC Operations GmbH, FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft mbH, AIRlabs Austria GmbH, Flughafen Wien AG

©Philipp Stambera/FFG