Dear Φ-lab community,
This issue of our newsletter comes hot on the heels of We Make Future, held in Rimini in Italy from 15 to 17 June. As the biggest digital and social innovation festival in Southern Europe, WMF has established itself as the go-to event for developing and accelerating innovation in Italy and around the world. ESA has enjoyed a major presence at the gathering since 2020, and this year’s edition featured a popular ESA booth of over 60 sq m with exhibits that included activities, products and mock-ups from Φ-lab. The multitude of visitors to the booth comprised enthusiasts, start-ups and companies among others, with each taking the opportunity to interact with Φ-labbers and other ESA representatives. Attendees were also treated to a dedicated interview on the Main Stage with Head of Φ-lab Explore Office Pierre Philippe Mathieu regarding Earth observation (EO) and new digital tech.
A key initiative at this year’s event was the ESA-WMF AI4EO Call. The competition concerned applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and data processing in aerospace and EO and aimed to reaffirm the value of these sectors in international development and the protection of our planet. The winning applications were announced at a dedicated ceremony, with the first-prize winners garnering a trip to the ESA EO Commercialisation Forum in October, where they will participate at an ideas-pitch session. Other prizes included access to business and technical coaching on EO and a subscription to the Sentinel Data Hub.
On a separate note, you may have noticed some changes to the newsletter. As well as a new, fresher layout, we have now added an auto-reader feature. Click on the Play button in the pop-up and enjoy eyes-free access to the text when you are on the move.
The Φ-lab team