Nokia has been selected to lead a major European project known as PROACTIF, a multimillion-Euro initiative aimed at enhancing Europe’s technological resilience and leadership in the fields of robotics and unmanned systems.
Funded by the European Union’s Chips Joint Undertaking, PROACTIF will bring together 42 technology companies and organisations from 13 countries.
The consortium’s objective is to advance the development of cost-efficient, eco-efficient, safe, and cybersecure unmanned vehicle (UxV) systems.
These technologies are intended to improve the management of critical infrastructure and emergency situations across Europe.
The venture is expected to generate around €90m in revenue by 2035, alongside the creation of 50 products, over 15 new industry patents, hundreds of new jobs, and more than €40m in additional investment.
Thomas Eder, head of embedded wireless solutions at Nokia, said: “Nokia’s extensive expertise has helped establish drone technology best practices and transform drones into daily helpers for public safety and mission-critical operations.
“We are honoured to lead this project. It demonstrates Nokia’s commitment to fostering innovation and resilience across Europe.
“By collaborating with leading organizations, this initiative will address critical challenges in security and sustainability, delivering real-world benefits for society.”
PROACTIF will focus on developing nine advanced technology building blocks and five UxV platforms, with particular emphasis on interoperability, autonomy, and rapid deployment.
The project is designed to meet both societal and market demands by enhancing situational awareness through efficient sensor data gathering.
Notable partners include Leonardo (Italy), Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (Germany), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, and NVIDIA (Israel), among others.
The consortium spans academic institutions, SMEs, and major industry players across Europe.
Innovative applications of robotics and unmanned systems in retail and e-commerce, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, automotive, transport & logistics, and more will be celebrated at the Robotics & Automation Awards on 29 October 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.roboticsandautomationawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s robotics and automation sectors!
