21.03.2026
START2 Closing Event in Bolzano: Risk Assessment Meets Practice
Photos: © START Living Lab project team
On March 20, 2026, the European drone community gathered in Bolzano for the START2 closing event. Mountain rescuers, researchers, and developers from Austria, Italy, and Germany came together to discuss the real-world deployment of UAS in alpine emergencies.
The SIENA team contributed on two fronts: Dr. Gernot Paulus presented the updated version of our web-based risk assessment tool, now refined based on direct feedback from rescue professionals.
Dariia Strelnikova then represented SIENA on the panel discussion about the future of drone technology in mountain rescue.
The day featured highly practical insights: from light UAS and transport drones to medical evacuation studies and autonomous flight algorithms. The closing panel distilled key takeaways from START2 and outlined clear next steps—standardized risk protocols, improved training, real-world test sandboxes, and stronger operational ties between rescue services, industry, and research.
START2 is not an endpoint. It marks the transition from project research to long-term operational collaboration. We thank the organizers, rescue teams, and partners for a highly productive exchange and look forward to the next phase.
The START Living Lab project receives co-financing from the European Union under the Interreg Italy-Austria programme. Interreg is an EU initiative that funds cooperation between regions and countries, enabling them to address shared challenges together. By supporting collaborative projects across borders, Interreg strengthens regional development, environmental protection, and social and economic ties in Europe.
