NAVISP Industry Days 2023 – Wrap-up

Last Updated: 16/11/2023 08:54     Created at: 15/11/2023 07:42

The 2023 edition of the NAVISP Industry Days was a resounding success. This year, we had over 200 participants and key speakers from 17 countries covering various market segments such as agriculture, automotive, rail, geomatics, IOT and many more, highlighting the event's effectiveness in reaching a broader audience and enlarging the footprint of the programme beyond the space industry. 

Key Figures

The NAVISP Industry Days 2023 brought together over 200 participants from 17 countries and 13 different market sectors. Notably, nearly half of the attendees were newcomers to NAVISP, showcasing the event's effectiveness in reaching a broader audience. Participation was a well-balanced mix, with 45% from large companies, 25% from SMEs, 20% from research institutions, and 10% from public authorities and governments. In addition, the event also featured a dynamic exhibition giving 11 participating companies the opportunity to showcase their PNT-related products and services, enriching the experience for the attendees. The extensive program included 25 panellists and keynote speakers, contributing to four thematic sessions covering PNT for mobility, Alternative PNT, and PNT Trends. In addition to insightful discussions, the event facilitated networking opportunities through several breaks, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among participants.

NAVISP Next: Ambitious Aspirations for European PNT Industry

The NAVISP Industry Days 2023 started with the announcement of plans for NAVISP Next, the Phase 4 of NAVISP, to be proposed at the next ESA the Ministerial Conference in 2025. NAVISP aspires to bolster the competitiveness of the European PNT industry, aiming to surpass its current 17% global market share and achieve a target range of 20-30%. 

NAVISP Next outlines strategies to enhance its influence across the entire value chain by promoting Private Public Partnership approaches with leading market entities. This approach aims to diversify funding sources, enabling the leveraging of funds from non-space sectors. Overcoming challenges encompasses the cultivation of synergies across NAVISP Elements and the active engagement of a diverse range of stakeholders.

The collaborative nature of NAVISP was highlighted, emphasizing that it is not just a programme defined by ESA, but a collective effort involving industry and institutional needs. NAVISP positions itself as an intermediary that is attuned to the needs of the industry, has an adaptable structure and is committed to creating synergies to cultivate and promote PNT champions.

Insights from Key Briefings and Panel Discussions

Ennio Guarino, Head of the Galileo and EGNOS programme at ESA opened the event and emphasized NAVISP's pivotal role as a bridge between Galileo and users, setting the tone for the event. Alberto Tuozzi from ASI, the Italian Space Agency, further underscored Italy's dedication to NAVISP and its aspirations for advancing the GNSS and broader PNT sector during his keynote.

Markus Uster, Head of Positioning Products at Ublox, shared growth perspectives for commercial PNT products, focusing on wearables, ground robotics, high-accuracy services, and autonomous driving. His insights highlighted the evolving challenges in GNSS from traditional concerns to the current emphasis on integrity and safety. Additionally, Kristian Svartveit from Norwegian Space Agency highlighted the Jammertest, one of the largest GNSS jamming and spoofing events globally. He extended an invitation to NAVISP projects to test their outputs in the Jammertest 2024, following intriguing results presented by Paolo Crosta from the ESA Radionavigation lab.

The first session on PNT for Mobility addressed key issues in the automotive sector. John Tintinalli from SAE International, the Society of Automotive Engineering, emphasized the importance of cooperative autonomous driving for safety and introduced the new standard the society is currently working on,  SAE1026, addressing GNSS vulnerabilities. Vlad Vinatu from Continental, one of the leading tier-1 automotive suppliers, highlighted challenges in the automotive sector and urged collaboration on securing the European microelectronics value chain. The panel discussion featured representatives from maritime, urban mobility, navigation technology, and rail sectors, discussing varied perspectives on how PNT can shape future mobility. Panellists recognized NAVISP's potential for innovation implementation, complementing other initiatives and fostering networking opportunities.

In the afternoon session, Frederik Gunnarsson from Ericcsson discussed the role of 5G networks in Alternate PNT, emphasizing their potential for various applications. Dr. Mark Brammer outlined the comprehensive roadmap from the UK Department of Science and Technology to ensure resilient PNT access, addressing economic losses resulting from GNSS loss. The panel discussion featured representatives discussing maritime broadcast beacons, VDES, LEO satellites, and resilient PNT solutions, highlighting NAVISP's pivotal role in advancing Alternate PNT solutions through the implementation and operation of testbeds.

The final session covered key PNT trends, starting with Roger McKinley emphasizing the potential of quantum technology, Daniele Borio addressing GNSS receiver algorithm trends, and Guiseppe Tomasicchio discussing underwater PNT applications. The day concluded with a panel on "PNT Trends for European and Canadian Industry," exploring quantum technology prospects, the importance of AI and MEMS, and the development of novel constellations in LEO. The diverse insights provided strategic considerations for industry stakeholders in the evolving landscape of PNT technologies over the next 3-5 years.

The NAVISP Industry Days proved to be a dynamic and insightful event, bringing together professionals and experts from various sectors to discuss and explore innovations in the PNT domain. We sincerely thank all participants for their active involvement and valuable contributions. Your feedback through the event survey is crucial for enhancing the programme and future events, and we appreciate your time and thoughtful responses. The winner of the prize draw will be notified by Wednesday, and we look forward to unveiling the lucky recipient. Thank you all for making the NAVISP Industry Days a resounding success! 

All presentations of the event can be found here.

If you require additional information or have any ideas to share, please feel free to reach out to us via email at navisp@esa.int. 

Stay tuned for further event insights and get excited for the upcoming edition!