The first international Drone Innovators Network congress opened at the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich on Tuesday. More than 100 guests from the political arena, research and industry attended the inaugural meeting.
According to the federal government, it is not by chance that Switzerland was chosen to host the first meeting. The country is “among the global leaders” in the field of research and development of drones.
“Thanks to the involvement of innovative companies and universities in combination with a pragmatic approach to regulation by the Swiss authorities, which takes account of the various research and development needs, an environment has been created in Switzerland that is equally attractive for startups, companies and research institutions,” according to a government statement.
More than 80 companies employing around 2,500 people are active in the drones sector in Switzerland, including 10 ETH Zurich spin-offs. The university has even dedicated entire laboratory facilities and research institutes to drone research.
Swiss drones are already in use in a broad variety of areas: security, transport of agricultural and medical goods, or delivering humanitarian aid in crisis regions. Drones developed by the startup Verity Studios have even been used in the entertainment industry and can perform choreographed flights at music concerts or other events.
“It will continue to be beneficial for us to utilize the considerable potential of drone technology and appropriately promote exchanges and networking,” said Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard in her opening address.
To draw attention to Switzerland’s leading position as a centre of innovation and technology, Presence Switzerland launched a campaign called Switzerland – Home of the Drone in mid-May. It offers research institutions and industry an opportunity to present their work at the international level.
The international drones congress was jointly launched by the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) and the World Economic Forum (WEF), and organized in cooperation with Presence Switzerland. It offers participants the opportunity to discuss the global development of drones and formulate joint strategies for the future.
