Taltech and Metrosert strengthen collaboration in drone research and development

Metrosert Applied Research Center and TalTech agreed to intensify cooperation in the field of drones in order to combine the research and development capabilities of the university and the applied research center, enable TalTech to use Metrosert’s laboratories, and launch joint research projects.

Representatives of Metrosert’s Applied Research Center and Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) met on October 31 at Metrosert’s drone lab, which is currently under construction, to discuss future opportunities for cooperation in the field of drone technologies. The TalTech delegation was led by Vice Rector for Entrepreneurship Erik Puura and Vice Rector for Research Jarek Kurnitski, together with several institute directors.

The meeting focused on the development of research and development directions, laboratory capabilities, and testing areas in the field of drones. Rainer Kivimäe, head of Metrosert’s drone technologies division, introduced the TalTech delegation to the infrastructure being launched at the unit.

“The first devices for testing drone technology subsystems have already arrived, including a climate and corrosion chamber, which can be used to assess the reliability of drone subsystems in different environmental conditions. We are starting to offer services to companies and are also launching research cooperation with TalTech institutes. Larger laboratory capabilities, including electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and a large climate chamber, will be ready by the beginning of 2027,” explained Kivimäe.

According to him, TalTech will also be able to use the laboratories built by Metrosert for its own research and development activities in the future.

According to Indrek Tulp, member of the Metrosert management board and head of the Applied Research Center, a country the size of Estonia must avoid duplication of capabilities. “We must focus on cooperation and mutual reinforcement. Therefore, I am pleased that we are in agreement and are working to boost the synergy between Metrosert and TalTech. We have a common goal – to strengthen Estonia’s scientific and applied capabilities in the field of drones,” added Indrek Tulp.

Research teams and joint development directions

The Metrosert representative also introduced the delegation to four research teams working in the field of drones, covering the entire development chain of unmanned technologies – from construction and flight physics to communications, navigation, and chip technologies.

TalTech shared an overview of its planned drone capabilities and its plan to recruit drone technology experts to its teaching staff in the near future in order to strengthen Estonia’s scientific competence in this rapidly developing field. Cooperation opportunities were discussed in research projects, laboratory use, and the development of outdoor testing grounds.

“Our goal is to combine TalTech’s research capabilities and Metrosert’s applied laboratories into a comprehensive development ecosystem where new technologies and solutions tested in collaboration with companies can be created. Such synergy will strengthen Estonia’s overall innovation capacity in the field of drone industry,” said TalTech’s Vice Rector for Entrepreneurship, Erik Puura.

At the meeting, it was agreed that in the future, cooperation should also extend to involving doctoral students in applied research, offering them the opportunity to gain practical experience in research and development organizations. The preparation of joint research projects and the mutual use of specialists in project-based teams were also discussed.

As a result of the meeting, the parties agreed that specific cooperation projects will be planned in the near future to help accelerate the development and application of drone technologies in Estonia.

This article was first published on 19 November by TalTech.