New forum for everyone interested in unmanned and autonomous technologies

What is the main idea behind UTES2026?
“The event tries to connect the Earth and Space communities around unmanned and autonomous technologies. In particular we want to focus in Scandinavian small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) and StartUp ecosystem, since they may become the industry of tomorrow. We offer an event full of technical talks from international representatives but also a company exhibition to increase networking between research institutions, industry and smaller enterprises.”

What can the Earth and space communities learn from each other?
“Many technologies developed for use on Earth can be adapted for future missions to the Moon and other planets. Autonomous vehicles are one important example, since planetary rovers must navigate difficult terrain and make decisions with limited human control. Drones, robotics, artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and communication systems are also highly relevant. Technologies created for mining, agriculture, emergency response, and operations in extreme environments can support tasks such as exploration, construction, resource identification, and infrastructure inspection in space. At the same time, solutions developed for space can improve applications on Earth, so the exchange of knowledge works in both directions.”

What can visitors actually see and experience during the two days?
“There will be four different spaces, one is an auditorium where we will have all the technical talks with four keynote speakers per day plus several other presenters with topics ranging from underwater and aerial drones to space exploration, space analogues and current and future space missions.

The second is a booth area where companies will exhibit their products and expertise.

The third area, outside, is dedicated to the exhibition of large vehicles such trucks, boats or other technologies of great size.

In the last area, at FUSE, we will also exhibit large vehicles examples but mainly focusing on student groups and Research projects that cannot fit in the area 1 and need to be protected from rain. All in all people will be able to see drones, trucks, ambulance UAMs and other technologies that companies will be willing to show.

All in all people will be able to see drones, trucks, ambulance UAMs and other technologies that companies will be willing to show.”

Who should come to UTES2026?
“First of all, it is a 100% free event, whether you are a speaker, an exhibitor or simply general public, there is absolutely no fee.

We particularly encourage students, researchers, and members of the general public who are curious about unmanned and autonomous technologies to attend. We also welcome private companies, especially Swedish and Scandinavian SMEs and startups seeking greater visibility, new partnerships, and opportunities to present their expertise. Public organisations working with aviation, space, mobility, safety, and regulation are equally important to the discussion. UTES 2026 is open to anyone interested in how technologies developed for Earth can contribute to future space exploration, and how space technologies can create value on Earth.

Making the event free allows more students, small companies, and interested members of the public to participate.”

What can people and organisations gain from taking part?
“They can discover that many of their challenges are similar, even if the operating environments are different. Researchers can identify new applications for their work, while companies can find new technologies, partners, customers, and markets. Public organisations can also contribute perspectives on safety, regulation, and societal needs. By meeting and exchanging knowledge, they can avoid duplicating work, combine expertise, and develop solutions more efficiently.

Most importantly, these discussions can lead to collaborations that would not emerge if the fields continued to work separately. Let’s not forget that being small sometimes gives you little visibility and opportunities to showcase your expertise and/or solutions. UTES offers that opportunity to help building a stronger ecosystem.

We hope visitors leave UTES 2026 with new knowledge, useful contacts, and fresh ideas. We want students to feel inspired and researchers, companies, and public organisations to find new opportunities to work together. Above all, we hope the event creates lasting connections and future projects for applications on Earth and in space. We want visitors to leave with a smile and a desire to return a second time."

What would you like UTES2026 to become in the future?
“We want UTES 2026 to become the meeting point for Sweden’s unmanned technologies community. The event should give people a place to present their work, discover what others are developing, and start conversations that continue after the symposium and that hopefully will lead to new collaborations, shared projects, and stronger connections between universities, companies, public organisations, and students.

Ultimately, we want participants to see UTES as an event they return to and help develop in the years ahead.”