In a major advance for Nokia, the company will spearhead a crucial project funded by the European Union. The Proactif initiative seeks to harness drones and robotics for monitoring and safeguarding essential infrastructure across Europe. Encompassing 43 organizations from 13 countries, the project highlights the EU’s ambitious aim for a technologically secure future.
The initiative, underpinned by the EU’s Chips Joint Undertaking fund, spotlights Europe’s semiconductor growth. Noteworthy is the project’s inclusion of non-EU countries, like Israel, which suggests a broad collaboration on digital innovation.
Nokia leads a diverse consortium, featuring major tech players like Nvidia, and defense giants such as Leonardo and Saab. By employing cutting-edge technologies, the group aims to revolutionize infrastructure surveillance with unmanned systems. These systems will provide live insights and automate inspections of vital infrastructure, namely power grids, railways, ports, and telecom assets.
According to Nokia, the project will develop advanced technology blocks and drone platforms. Equipped with sophisticated radar, lidar, and optical technologies, these platforms promise autonomous operations. This fusion of technologies ensures enhanced situational awareness through timely data collection. “The use of UxV technologies enables a more holistic understanding of an incident’s location and severity, as well as comprehensive situational awareness, through frequent and efficient sensor data gathering,” Nokia stated.
From an economic perspective, Proactif targets significant outcomes by 2035. The initiative aims to generate over €90 million in revenue, introduce more than 50 new products, and secure 15 patents. Additionally, it plans to spur €40 million in follow-on investments and create hundreds of specialized jobs in Europe.
The EU’s strategic ambitions are woven into this project. Economic autonomy and enhanced security come as responses to global supply chain issues and regional risks. As European nations strive for self-reliance in tech, Proactif is set to bolster capacities in surveillance, automation, and data analytics.
While focusing on civil sectors, such as energy and public safety, the potential military application is not ruled out. Reuters reports that Nokia’s Eder acknowledged this possibility, indicating the technology’s future strategic importance.