SPADE E-Conference 2026: UAVs and Data Spaces for Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock
SPADE E-Conference: UAVs, Data Spaces, and Smart Services for Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock
Date: 28 April 2026
Time: 10:00 – 14:00 CEST
Format: Online E-Conference room FrameVR (limited only to 150 participants Register by 24 April 2026 | 23:59 CEST)
Join us for the SPADE E-Conference showcasing how drone technology, intelligent platforms, and data spaces can support sustainable and data‑driven agriculture, forestry and livestock management. This interactive session will bring together SPADE partners, end-users and experts to present real-world pilots, digital services and future opportunities within the SPADE project and related initiatives.
Agenda:
10:00 – 10:05 → Opening Session
Welcome and agenda overview.
10:05 – 10:35 → Session 1: Standards & Regulations for UAVs and AI
Latest developments in drone standards, interoperability, and AI/robotic integration.
Standards and Roadmap – Antonio Kung, Trialog
National Differences in the Implementation of EU Drone Regulations - Anssi Rauhala, University of Oulu
Social and Environmental Aspect of Drones in Forestry – Ken Hellrud & Vilma Zubinaite, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
10:35 – 10:50 → Session 2: Sensor & Drone Innovation
Advances in acoustic sensing and drone systems for data collection.
Acoustic Censor - Kevin Hock, Fraunhofer
SPADE drone development - Thor Kamp Opstrup, University of Southern Denmark
10:50 – 11:15 → Session 3: SPADE Cyber Platform
From Data to Decisions by building the SPADE platform compliance with AI and data governance frameworks.
AI and Data Governance compliance – Steve Brewer, LIAT/University of Lincoln
SPADE Digital Twin Platform – Pablo Mejuto Sousa, GRADIANT
Interoperability Platform - Jorge Almela, BAVENIR
11:15 – 12:05 → Session 4: Insights from SPADE Pilots
Five short presentations from open-field, livestock, and forestry pilots.
Forestry Pilot (SkyPlanter seedling planting drone) - Steffan Lloyd, NIBIO
Forestry Pilot (Below-canopy forest mapping) - Steffan Lloyd, NIBIO
Livestock Pilot (Virtual Fencing) – Costas Davarakis, Nydor System Technology
Livestock Pilot - Costas Davarakis, Nydor System Technology
Open-field Pilot – Pierrick Le Guillou , AnySolution
12:05 – 12:45 → Session 5: Innovation Through Open Calls
SMEs and innovators showcase results from SPADE Open Calls.
GRAZEFUL “Grazing Region Analysis and Zoning Environment using UAVs and Fencing Utilities for Livestock” – Algolysis Ltd
DIPAL “Drone Image Processing and Analysis Layer” - Sensifai BV
BLOOM “Robust and Adaptable Machine Learning for Sustainable Crop Disease Detection” - STAM S.r.l
BASIL “[A]ctivated [S]elf-Level[i]ng [L]anding Gear” - University of Sherbrooke
12:45 – 13:05 → Session 6: Sister Projects.
Showcase the ICAERUS project result and events.
Project General Introduction - ICAERUS Project
Sprayer Drone - ICAERUS Project
13:05 – 13:25 → Break & Virtual Booth Exploration
Networking and exploration of FrameVR.io booths from pilots, ICAERUS, other partners, and Open Call winners.
13:25 – 14:00 → Session 7: Roundtable Discussion (Policy Panel)
Title: Digital Drones, Data and Policy: Turning EU Strategies into Practice in Agriculture and Forestry
Invited Panellists:
DG AGRI representative – Policy perspective on CAP, Green Deal, sustainability, and digitalisation, and how drone and data innovations can be integrated into policy tools and incentives.
TRIALOG & Eclipse Foundation (standards, governance, data spaces & trust) – Insights on standards, interoperability, data spaces, and trustworthy AI & data governance relevant for policy implementation.
Unversity of Oulu (aviation regulation, SORA, operational authorisation, and where drone use in the SPADE project scope)
Pilot representative (NST, Anysolution, and NIBIO) – Concrete experiences from livestock/forestry/open-field pilots, including benefits, barriers, and needs from policymakers.
Open call beneficiary / SME representative(s) – Innovation and market perspective: what policy and regulatory clarity are needed for scaling services
14:00 → Closing Remarks
Wrap-up and conclusion
Why Attend?
Get a structured overview of standards, regulations, and open-source frameworks shaping drone and AI deployment in agriculture and forestry.
Discover concrete innovations in sensors, drones, digital twins, and data platforms coming from SPADE pilots and Open Call winners.
Learn how SPADE and sister projects contribute to emerging European data spaces and sustainability goals.
Engage with experts, innovators, and policymakers in an event designed to foster collaboration rather than competition among projects.
Registration:
Participation is free of charge, but registration is required.
Register Now to save your seat!