General details
EDIHs involved
Challenges
Region 10 consists of ten collaborating municipalities in the inland areas of Västerbotten and Norrbotten, which have long discussed the use of large drones for postal and parcel deliveries between the municipalities. Challenges are difficulties in introducing a new mode of transport requiring new technology. Also long distances between the municipalities are challenging. Last but not least - city planning is a very static task requiring long term planning.
The municipalities recognised significant disparities in knowledge levels among the involved organisations regarding services in the lower airspace. As a result, they approached us to conduct a training workshop to cover important aspects such as ground and technical infrastructure, as well as designated airspace management. Their objective was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the requirements for establishing an effective drone-based delivery system. Additionally, they sought insights into what the digitalisation of the lower airspace entails and how it could transform regional logistics.
Solutions
We chose to design a workshop centered around describing a well-functioning drone-based logistics system. This approach was driven by the need to understand how to integrate this innovative mode of transport into the existing infrastructure.
The training was structured to provide a comprehensive overview of the system's general components, with a specific focus on the implications of digitalising the lower airspace. Key topics included the systems required to support such operations, their functionality, and the regulatory frameworks that govern them. This focused approach aimed to equip participants with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of implementing drone-based logistics.
The workshop included:
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A detailed description of a functioning drone logistics system.
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Modules on vehicles and technical infrastructure, ground infrastructure, airspace management, and regulations.
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An exploration of the digitalisation of the lower airspace, focusing on required systems, their operations, and regulatory frameworks.
Results and Benefits
The workshop took place on May 10, 2023, in Lycksele, a municipality located in the northern part of Sweden. Its primary objective was to align all participants on a shared understanding of the foundational principles behind the concept of “services in the lower airspace”.
The workshop yielded several key outcomes. Region Västerbotten and the County Council Administration recognised the critical need to develop a comprehensive funding model for the region’s infrastructure. A standout achievement was the participants’ improved ability to articulate their goals and priorities when applying for funding opportunities. In collaboration with the region’s ten municipalities and various suppliers, efforts began to secure funding for testing innovative digital tools, such as UTM systems, to evaluate the business case for “services in the lower airspace”. Public funding was identified as essential to ensure an open, democratic infrastructure accessible to multiple operators offering diverse logistic services.
The workshop covered several learning modules, including vehicles and technical infrastructure, ground infrastructure, airspace, and regulatory frameworks. Although the vision of implementing services in the lower airspace remains alive, progress has been temporarily stalled due to challenges associated with establishing new industries in the region.
Recently, Aero EDIH was approached by the coordinator for Region 10 to explore the possibility of organising additional workshops, reigniting discussions around advancing this concept.
Perceived social/economic impact
The implementation of drone-based services in the lower airspace has the potential to “shrink” the region by speeding up critical services, such as healthcare transportation. By bridging geographical gaps, these solutions support the broader goal of a sustainable and accessible Europe, ensuring no community is left behind in public service access.
Though budget constraints have delayed the project, the initiative remains aligned with key European objectives of inclusivity and innovation.
Although the project is unfortunately currently on hold due to regional industrial challenges and budget constraints, we have discussed future workshops. This keeps the vision alive and ensures that the initiative remains aligned with key European objectives for inclusion and innovation.
”It is important to continue discussing the needs and solutions for sparsely populated rural areas in Sweden. In doing so, we can identify how to address various types of transport, where it will likely be necessary to create conditions for combined transport needs,” says Hans Siljebäck Head of Skills and Training at Aero EDIH.
Measurable data
The workshop brought together a group of 10 participants. Feedback from the attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with all participants expressing satisfaction with both the workshop's structure and its outcomes.
DMA score and results - Stage 0
| DMA Score | 73% | |
| Digital Strategy and Investments | 48% | |
| Digital Readiness | 83% | |
| Human-Centric Digitalisation | 74% | |
| Data Management and Security | 72% | |
| Interoperability | 78% | |
| Green Digitalisation | 84% |
| DMA Score | 76% | |
| Digital Strategy and Investments | 97% | |
| Digital Readiness | 79% | |
| Human-Centric Digitalisation | 71% | |
| Data Management and Security | 89% | |
| Interoperability | 38% | |
| Green Digitalisation | 84% |
| DMA Score | 78% | |
| Digital Strategy and Investments | 72% | |
| Digital Readiness | 71% | |
| Human-Centric Digitalisation | 88% | |
| Data Management and Security | 100% | |
| Interoperability | 50% | |
| Green Digitalisation | 84% |
DMA score and results – Stage 1
| DMA Score | 78% | |
| Digital Strategy and Investments | 72% | |
| Digital Readiness | 71% | |
| Human-Centric Digitalisation | 88% | |
| Data Management and Security | 100% | |
| Interoperability | 50% | |
| Green Digitalisation | 84% |
Lessons learned
In retrospect, the training would have been more effective if spread over two days. This extended format would have allowed for a more comprehensive and in-depth planning session on the second day, specifically focused on the development of the regional infrastructure. Allocating additional time would have provided space for the fruitful dialogue to flourish further and allowed participants to delve deeper into critical discussions.
The workshop successfully provided a solid overview of the concept, and the dialogue among participants was both engaging and insightful. However, more time could have enhanced the opportunity for collaboration and strategic planning.
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