Royal Holloway, University of London, hosted an Omnidrome Network Event on Tuesday 23 July 2024, bringing together Knowledge Exchange Professionals and Industry Brokers to encourage collaboration in drone technology.
The event was held on the University’s Egham campus and included 50 delegates from a diverse range of institutions and industries.
The day commenced with a series of presentations by leading figures in research, innovation, and the wider drone industry. Speakers included Professor Jürgen Adam, from the Department of Earth Sciences at Royal Holloway and Director of Omnidrome, Graham Brown, Chair of ARPAS (The Voice for the Drone Industry), as well as Shivaun Meehan and Graham Doe from the National Centre for Universities and Business.
The presentations focused on several key areas; from the crucial role of academic-industry partnerships in advancing the drone industry, to how research and development is driving the field forward, as well as emphasising Royal Holloway’s commitment to excellence and its role as a leader in research.
The event also offered useful networking opportunities, with delegates engaging in lively discussions during lunch and coffee breaks. These opportunities provided the ideal environment for exchanges of ideas and exploring potential future collaborations.
In the afternoon, Anna Dent-Davis from the National Centre for Universities and Business led an interactive workshop focused on strategies for effective engagement with external partners.
One highlight of the event was the comprehensive tour of the Omnidrome facilities that was on offer. Delegates were treated to a first-hand look at the latest developments in drone and autonomous vehicle technology. The tour featured a poster exhibition showcasing research projects, live demonstrations of drones and autonomous vehicles, and hands-on opportunities for delegates to interact with the technology.
The Omnidrome Network Event at Royal Holloway successfully brought together key stakeholders to share knowledge, explore collaboration opportunities, and engage with cutting-edge technology. As drone technology, and the industry around it, continues to evolve, events like this could prove crucial in driving innovation and fostering cross-institutional partnerships.
Sue Starbuck, Director of Research and Innovation at Royal Holloway, said: “Omnidrome provides us with an outstanding focus for innovation and collaboration and the Network Event was a brilliant opportunity to launch new and exciting partnerships.”
Professor Jurgen Adam from the Department of Earth Sciences, and Director of Omnidrome at Royal Holloway, added: ““We received very positive feedback from our guests representing a wide range of academic research managers, industry brokers and representatives of national business organisation with shared interest in drone technology and robotics.
“Our Network Event brought together a diverse audience that rarely interact in their R&D development activities. For Omnidrome, this event was an outstanding opportunity to build relationships with research managers and knowledge brokers, opening the potential for the development of future strategic research collaborations in the area of drones and robotics.”
For more information on the Omnidrome Research and Innovation Centre at Royal Holloway, University of London, click here.
