Nokia has been chosen to head a groundbreaking European Union-funded initiative known as the Proactif project, aiming to revolutionise how critical infrastructure is monitored and protected across Europe.
This ambitious three-year programme brings together 43 organisations from 13 countries, combining the power of industry giants and innovative startups to develop cutting-edge robotic and drone technologies.
The Proactif project is supported by the EU’s Chips Joint Undertaking, a funding mechanism designed to advance Europe’s capabilities in semiconductors and digital technology.
Remarkably, the initiative also includes participation from non-EU countries such as Israel, signalling a broad collaborative vision.
A Powerful Consortium for Innovation
Nokia will serve as the coordinator for the diverse and powerful consortium.
This group includes major global technology firms like Nvidia, renowned aerospace and defence players like Leonardo, Saab, and Safran, as well as universities, startups and public institutions.
Their shared mission is to develop autonomous unmanned vehicles and robotic systems that can carry out real-time monitoring and inspections of vital assets such as power grids, railways, ports, and telecom networks.
According to Nokia, the project will deliver nine foundational technology components and five drone and robotics platforms.
These platforms will be equipped with advanced sensors including radar, lidar and optical imaging.
They will be capable of autonomous operations, meaning they can carry out inspections and emergency responses without human pilots, even in complex environments.
“The use of UxV technologies enables a more holistic understanding of an incident’s location and severity, as well as comprehensive situational awareness, through frequent and efficient sensor data gathering,” Nokia explained.
Driving Economic and Strategic Value
The Proactif project is not just a technological pursuit — it also targets significant economic benefits for Europe.
By the year 2035, the project is expected to:
- Generate over €90 million (around $97 million) in revenue
- Launch more than 50 new products
- Secure at least 15 new patents
- Attract over €40 million (roughly $43.5 million) in additional investments
- Create hundreds of skilled jobs across the continent
This aligns with the European Union’s broader push for strategic autonomy, particularly in critical and emerging technologies.
The EU has increasingly recognised the need to reduce dependence on foreign tech supply chains, especially in the face of rising geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty.
Proactif directly supports these ambitions by fostering local innovation in surveillance, automation and AI-powered data analysis.
Potential Military Applications in the Future
Although the current focus of the Proactif project is on civil applications, such as protecting energy infrastructure and enhancing public safety, future military uses haven’t been ruled out.
When asked by Reuters, Nokia’s representative Eder confirmed that the technologies being developed could potentially be adapted for defence missions in the future.
This opens up possibilities for dual-use systems that serve both civilian and national security purposes, further strengthening Europe’s position in the global tech arena.
Conclusion
The Nokia-led Proactif project represents a bold step towards an autonomous, AI-driven future for infrastructure protection in Europe.
With heavyweight partners like Nvidia, Saab and Leonardo on board, and support from the EU’s strategic funding programmes, the project stands poised to redefine how critical systems are secured.
It’s not only a technological milestone but also an economic catalyst, promising new jobs, investments, and innovations that could shape Europe’s digital future.