On the 30th of August, the annual International Drone Show took place at Hans Christian Andersen Airport, close to the City of Odense. With over 300 guests, 30 exhibitors, both Danish and International, and a great number of speeches and keynotes, the day was a huge success.

H.C Andersen Airport is already an epicenter for the drone industry in Europe, and this year’s Drone Show attracted both Danish and international guests from all over the world. As mentioned, more than 300 people participated in the event, which is a 50% increase, compared to earlier events.

“UAS Denmark Test Center is one of the most interesting places in Europe when it comes to drone-testing. The facilities in the airport make it possible for drone operators to test and fly advanced testing. The test-facilities er much more available that in The United Kingdom, where it is not possible to test above water, which it is in Odense”, says Head of Business Development in Onesky in Europe, Toby Potter to Fyens.dk

H.C Andersen Airport – A Gateway to Europe

Hans Christian Andersen Airport is one of Europe’s leading drone test centers, where you will find some of the best possible conditions for start-ups, companies, and public authorities within the drone industry – as well as access to state-of-the-art test facilities and an ecosystem of the highest caliber. The test center hosts R & D facilities, manufacturing space, and offices as well as a unique Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) air space. UAS Denmark Test Center is an unmanned systems technology test and development center in Odense, Denmark, and it is a collaboration between Hans Christian Andersen Airport, Odense Municipality, and the University of Southern Denmark.

Over the years, many companies within the drone sector have moved to Odense, and besides being a great location for companies working in the drone industry, the place is also a unique gateway to Europe:

“The test center is an important gateway to the European market. The facilities, the big airspace, and the knowledge and know-how in the airport are amazing. The passion and the innovation that you find in this airport are at the same level as drone conferences in the United States, so I am very pleased to be here. It is buzzing with development and innovation, and at this conference, we get to know other companies, which might lead to future cooperation. It is much better to meet in real life, instead of online”, Kevin Colburn, President of Terrafugia and Commaris mentions to Fyens.dk

Funen – a New Danish Stronghold within Technological Solutions for Future Industrial Production

Funen is characterized by having several unique conditions, which combined creates a unique take-off for the development of a Danish stronghold within future technological solutions for industrial production. The stronghold includes a sprouting ecosystem in robotics, leading maritime-, and robotics research environments at University of Southern Denmark and Technological Institute, a dynamic environment for startups within the drone industry in H.C Andersen Airport, and a strong maritime testing-environment at Port of Odense.

Earlier this year, Funen and the project ‘Nextgen Robotics’ were assigned around DKK 100 million by the Danish Board of Business Development. Nextgen Robotics is the name of the consortium to which the resources were given – it consists of 65 partners in total. The consortium includes a robotics center at the port of Odense, a development of drones and drone testing in the drone center at H.C Andersen Airport, autonomous shipping at the southern part of Funen, and an establishment of the House of Robotics.

As part of the International Drone Show, a new agreement was signed by, among others, the Danish Minister for Industry, Business, and Financial Affairs, Simon Kollerup. The new agreement supports the fact that Funen will be a future international epicenter for industries that develop areas for testing, and production of new digital, technological- and autonomous solutions for use on land, by sea, and in the air. By signing this agreement new future jobs are being created, and Funen can maintain permanent industrial workplaces.

Furthermore, new industrial solutions will make it possible to create large structure production (LSP) and autonomous solutions, and thereby, Denmark and especially Funens’ stronghold as a green, sustainable industrial area is secured.

Further information:
Rasmus Torpegaard Festersen
Investment Manager
rasfe@odense.dk
+45 24920903