Drone applications demonstrated in Hamburg on a global scale within the industry
The Droneport, Europe's first ground infrastructure for unmanned aviation and mobile sensor technology, hosted the Droneport Connect 2025 event on July 17, 2025. This specialist and networking event, held one year after the Droneport's opening, aimed to further advance and network the drone industry.
The Droneport, opened by Hamburg Port Authority, Police Hamburg, and Hamburg Aviation in July 2024, serves as the control center for drone operations. The facility is located in the Hamburg harbor and has been instrumental in numerous drone-related achievements.
One of the key projects showcased at Droneport Connect 2025 was the DroneResponseNet. This initiative, led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics (Fraunhofer FKIE), the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), and other associated research and emergency response organizations, aims to digitize deployment communication to direct deployment forces efficiently and safely.
A drone intended for emergency use and part of the DroneResponseNet project was demonstrated at the event. The drone, designed for rapid risk assessment, took off autonomously for the demonstration.
Safety is a top priority for every drone flight, especially in situations where the flight path may unexpectedly cross human activities. To ensure safety, an app is planned that will incorporate dynamic data alongside weather information for registered drone flights.
The increase in the number of drones in the airspace necessitates a situational awareness system. A platform for creating drone flight plans is being developed to manage this growing number of drones.
Drones have found various applications beyond emergency response. For instance, the Landesbetrieb Straßen, Brücken und Gewässer (LSBG) uses drones for urban infrastructure documentation, traffic observations, and structure condition examinations.
In the realm of forensic technology, drones have been used for crime scene documentation, 3D visualization, and trace evidence since 2019. Beagle Systems, a Hamburg company, also uses autonomous long-range drones for methane leak detection, thanks to the EU methane regulation.
The Droneport's significance extends beyond its role as a hub for drone operations. It is a significant milestone for the development of future technology at the site. One such achievement was the first cross-border drone flight over three federal states, successfully executed from the Droneport in January 2025. This historic flight, from Hamburg to Neuwerk, marked a new era for drone technology.
The Droneport Connect 2025 event served as a testament to the strides made in the drone industry and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. As the drone industry continues to evolve, the Droneport will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of this technological revolution.
