A major new EU initiative is taking shape to protect Europe’s critical infrastructure using autonomous drones and robotics. Nokia has been named lead coordinator of PROACTIF, a €90 million project supported by the Chips Joint Undertaking, aimed at developing multi-domain (aerial, ground, and underwater) autonomous systems.
With over 40 partners including NVIDIA, Safran, Leonardo, Thales, and Saab, the consortium will build platforms that detect, assess, and respond to threats across key national infrastructure—including ports, railways, energy grids, and communication networks.
What’s New:
- Cross-Domain Robotics: The project includes the development of autonomous systems operating in the air, underwater, and on land—each equipped with AI, radar, laser, and thermal sensors.
- AI + Edge + 5G Integration: By leveraging AI for real-time data processing and combining it with 5G/6G-ready networks, the solution aims for real-time situational awareness, especially in remote or inaccessible areas.
- Nokia’s Role: This builds on Nokia’s existing work in Nokia Drone Networks—its commercial-grade, CE-certified drone-in-a-box solution. Already used in public safety, defense, and industrial monitoring, Nokia’s drone platform integrates LTE/5G, cloud orchestration, and edge-based AI analytics.
Watch Nokia Drone Networks in Action: 
Why It Matters:
Europe’s infrastructure is increasingly seen as vulnerable to both natural and man-made threats. The recent sabotage of undersea cables and power facilities has elevated the urgency for early-warning and autonomous monitoring systems. PROACTIF aims to fill that gap with a coordinated and scalable robotics system capable of responding in real time.
Economic and Strategic Goals:
- 50+ new products developed
- 15+ patents filed
- 40M+ EUR in follow-on investment
- Hundreds of jobs created by 2035
- Technologies applicable to both civil and potential defense domains
Takeaway:
The PROACTIF project marks a strategic alignment between AI, robotics, and secure connectivity. As 6G development moves forward, this initiative underscores how AI-native networks and resilient infrastructures are no longer theoretical—but being architected now, with public and private collaboration across Europe and beyond.
