Emerging indUstries new value chains boosted by small Flying Objects
UFO

The UFO project aims at supporting European SMEs to develop innovative products and services by integrating new technological solutions and know-how provided by the combination of innovative Small Flying Objects (SFOs) (drones, high altitude platforms systems, small satellites), embedded nano and digital technologies, Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), data analysis and exploitation solutions. Six emerging industries are particularly targeted: Mobility technologies, Environmental, Blue Growth, Digital Experience, Cultural and Creative. This objective will be achieved by a European consortium of 8 clusters and 1 associate meta-cluster partner (KIC) representing together more than 3200 European SMEs with complementary expertise to ensure a crosssectoral and cross border approach between technologies and markets. In addition, identified industries will demonstrate the technical and business breakthroughs brought by the use of SFOs to increase Europe's global competitiveness, in particular in export markets, very receptive to these kind of new services not linked to ground infrastructures. The UFO project is thus expected to have a significant impact on the European economic growth.

Objectives:

• To foster the creation of new value chains targeting emerging industries: Mobility technologies, Environmental, Blue Growth, Digital, Experience, Cultural and creative industries, by identifying new sustainable use cases provided by SFO capabilities;
• To support the development of new technologies for SFO applications addressing societal challenges and emerging industries market needs (Mobility technologies, Environmental, Blue Growth, Digital, Experience, Cultural and creative industries);
• To optimise the long-term sustainability of new value chains partnerships involving SFOs by supporting best initiatives, projects or concepts in seeking additional funding (EU including ERDF, regional, national, private) and investment in commercialisation;
• To accelerate the internationalisation of European SMEs in these value chains by developing cross-border and crosssectoral collaborations that deliver solutions into key international markets.