Only two weeks to go until the start of our symposium "Disaster Research Meets Operational Practice – Drones and Robotics in Focus" from September 18-20th, 2025, as part of the RETTER fair in Wels. Preparations are now well underway, and the event programme is almost complete. Highlights from the program include:

• Around 30 scientific presentations, including on operational concepts, legal frameworks, and new technological developments
• Interactive sessions and workshops that promote dialogue between research and operational practice, including AI for drone deployment
• Live demonstrations of drone and robotic systems, including drone crash tests and walking robots for disaster relief
• Keynote speeches from national and international experts, including experiences from international disaster relief operations

Take a look inside the programme:

Please note that the programme is subject to change.

The symposium is organized by DCNA, the Austrian Road Safety Board, and the Austrian Federal Fire Brigade Association. The aim is to foster close networking between academia and practitioners (emergency response organizations, public authorities, and decision-makers).

The regular participation fee for the three-day event is €350; DCNA members pay €250 each. Members of emergency response organizations pay only €90. This includes access to the conference and the RETTER trade fair, as well as catering during the conference days.

Would you like to be part of the event, but haven't registered yet? Please find all relevent information and the link for registering here.