Representatives of the regional government and business discussed the development of the unmanned systems sector in Sverdlovsk Oblast

The meeting of the Commission on Public-Private Partnership and Infrastructure Development of the Sverdlovsk Regional Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs was a continuation of the implementation of agreements reached with Governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast Denis Pasler on the sidelines of the international industrial exhibition INNOPROM. This work aligns with the objectives of the national project "Unmanned Aviation Systems."

"Today we are continuing the important discussion that began at the previous meeting on the development of data centers, wh ere we laid the foundation for the development of digital technologies in the region. The development of artificial intelligence and unmanned technologies is a logical continuation of our work in the field of digitalization. These areas are becoming key drivers of technological progress and a new promising investment niche for Sverdlovsk Oblast," emphasized Deputy Governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast Dmitry Ionin.

As Dmitry Ionin stressed, the relevant ministries of Sverdlovsk Oblast are actively involved in this work — the Ministry of Industry and Science, together with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, is developing a comprehensive strategy for the development of unmanned technologies, while the Ministry of Economy and Investment, together with the Sverdlovsk Oblast Investment Promotion Agency, is actively working to create a favorable investment climate in this sector.

"The event brought together all key market participants: universities, developers and manufacturers, operators, development institutions, executive authorities, as well as the Federal Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. In an hour and a half of dialogue, we managed to create a unified information field and an understanding of the strategic development of unmanned technologies in the region. The key direction of development and a promising investment niche is becoming not so much the production of UAS and unmanned ground vehicles (this market has already been globally formed), but rather the services market, the implementation of civilian use cases, the creation of appropriate infrastructure, and the training of personnel for the operation of unmanned autonomous systems. For Sverdlovsk Oblast, experts estimated this market at 3.4 billion rubles. In addition, our region has all the key competencies and, most importantly, an interest in supporting and developing this industry," said Yuri Patanin, General Director of the Sverdlovsk Oblast Investment Promotion Agency.

The meeting participants discussed a comprehensive approach to forming a cluster that will unite science, software developers, electronics manufacturers, industrial parks, and end consumers. Sverdlovsk Oblast has a unique advantage: in addition to unmanned aviation systems, the region is actively developing ground-based unmanned transport — trams, freight transport, and robot delivery. This approach will make it possible to shape a cross-sectoral economy of unmanned technologies across all environments of application.

In particular, the company Movista-Ekaterinburg is developing unmanned transport for urban infrastructure, the KIT transport company is introducing technologies in freight transportation, and the NEXT taxi fleet, together with Yandex, is launching robotized delivery projects. The company New-Link is developing the production of components for unmanned aviation systems. Agreements on the implementation of these projects were signed at INNOPROM in the presence of Governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast Denis Pasler.

"Sverdlovsk Oblast is ready to become a leader in the implementation of cross-cutting autonomous systems in all sectors of the economy. Our region has a powerful production base, a developed IT sector, and logistics capabilities to become a stronghold and a leader in the implementation and development of unmanned technologies in Russia," noted Oleg Moshkarev, Co-Chairman of the Commission on Public-Private Partnership and Infrastructure Development of the Sverdlovsk Regional Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.

A decision was announced to create a scientific and production center for unmanned technologies based at the Universitetsky Technopark, with the possible expansion of the center at the site of the Titanium Valley special economic zone, which will make it possible to establish a full-fledged center for localizing the production of components for this industry in the Urals.

Following the meeting, the participants agreed to continue working on the formation of legal regimes, the development of the regulatory and legal framework, and the provision of support measures for investors implementing unmanned projects.

Photo: Boiling Point — Yekaterinburg