The Technology Transfer Center Unmanned Aerial Systems at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI), transform10 and brigkAIR, hosted the "Start-up Opportunities: Dual-Use Innovation" innovation day at brigk. The joint networking event took place for the third time as part of the "Start-up Opportunities" series and brought together representatives from companies, research institutions, security authorities and politics. The Innovation Day was opened by Bavaria's State Secretary for Economic Affairs Tobias Gotthardt.
Presentations focussed on the security requirements of critical infrastructure, energy supply in the event of a crisis and the current potential uses of drones in disaster control. Marc Zizmann (MBDA) provided expert input on security requirements in defence companies, Delia Stelzer (Gunvor Raffinerie Ingolstadt) on the energy supply of critical infrastructure and Alexander Mois from the police helicopter squadron on the use of drones in disaster control. Dennis Haesner from bavAIRia e.V. provided an overview of current developments in the German drone industry.
In the subsequent workshop, the participants worked together to develop problems and solutions with dual-use potential in the areas of production, energy grids and mobility. The aim was to identify specific requirements from the region and develop technological solutions for the protection of critical infrastructure.
"Dual-use technologies and unmanned aerial systems offer enormous potential for the economy, security and social resilience. With formats such as 'Start-up Opportunities', we are specifically strengthening the exchange between research, start-ups, industry and the public sector and creating important impetus for Ingolstadt as a centre of innovation," emphasised Professor Georg Rosenfeld, CEO of IFG Ingolstadt and Managing Director of brigk.
"Autonomous and networked flight systems will become significantly more important in the coming years. This makes it all the more important to network research, companies and start-ups at an early stage," added THI Professor Gerhard Elsbacher.
The Technology Transfer Center Unmanned Aerial Systems in Manching plays a central role in this. Here, THI scientists work together with companies on projects for unmanned aviation. Research focus areas include intelligent control systems, human-machine interaction and concepts for cooperating UAV systems - i.e. networked unmanned aerial vehicles such as drones that can communicate with each other independently and perform tasks together.
At the same time, the THI is further expanding its range of degree programmes in the field of autonomous aviation systems. The new English-language master programme "Intelligent Aerial Systems" is planned to start in the winter semester 2026/27.
(Text: Simone Ketterl, THI | Images: IFG Ingolstadt - Pitterl)
