Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI) took centre stage this week as it hosted AI Forward > Smart Cities, an event dedicated to exploring how cutting-edge technologies can reshape the way our cities function. The gathering brought together innovators, policymakers, and technology experts, with a strong focus on the role of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence in creating safer, more connected urban environments.
One of the highlights of the day was a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Wassim Derguech, Project Coordinator of the ÉALÚ-AER project. The conversation delved into how advanced smart city and mobility technologies with AI can shape the future of our cities. Panellists discussed not only the transformative potential of AI for urban air mobility, but also how projects like EALU-AER are generating valuable operational data through real-world drone demonstrations. This data, they argued, can serve as a catalyst for AI-driven initiatives aimed at ensuring safer digital skies across Europe.
The FMCI team also maintained a dedicated project stand throughout the event, offering attendees an inside look at EALU-AER’s progress as it moves towards final implementation. Visitors had the chance to learn about the project’s vision, its technical achievements, and the ways in which its findings could shape the regulatory and operational landscape for drone integration in European airspace.
With AI Forward, FMCI not only showcased its leadership in innovative mobility solutions but also underscored Ireland’s growing role in the European conversation around drones, AI and the sustainable cities of tomorrow.
About ÉALÚ-AER
ÉALÚ-AER is one of the first European Digital Sky Demonstrators to focus on U-space and Urban Air Mobility as part of the European ATM Master Plan designed by the SESAR Joint Undertaking (JU). SESAR JU aims at accelerating through research and innovation the delivery of an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Digital European Sky.
Digital Sky Demonstrators, such as ÉALÚ-AER, are high-level Technology Readiness Level (TRL 7-8) projects that are funded in collaboration with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) under the Connected Europe Facility (CEF) funding instrument.
ÉALÚ-AER partners include: FMCI (coordinator), Collins Aerospace, The Shannon Airport Group, Avtrain, DeepBlue, Manna, AirNav Ireland and Spright.
The ÉALÚ-AER Project is co-funded by the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility programme, managed by CINEA, and supported by the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking.
For more details about the project, please follow this link: http://ealu-aer.eu/
