On December 7, 2023, ICENT hosted a round table titled *"Innovation in AAS Application Area – Academic Approach"* in Zagreb, Croatia. The event brought together experts from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to discuss the current state of the innovation ecosystem in the area of Autonomous Aerial Systems (AAS). The goal was to assess capabilities, identify gaps and challenges, and explore strategies for advancing innovation and collaboration in the AAS sector.
The panel featured prominent speakers, including Petar Piljek from FSB, Tomislav Radišić from FTTS, Stjepan Bogdan from FER, and Jasmin Velagić from UNISA-ETF, with Tamara Petrović from FER moderating the discussion.
Despite the intimate size of the event, with 11 attendees from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the discussions were highly focused and productive. The panelists provided valuable insights into the AAS innovation landscape in the region, highlighting both achievements and areas where more effort and collaboration are needed. Key challenges, such as funding gaps and the need for stronger academic-industry partnerships, were also addressed.
The round table concluded with a call for enhanced cross-border cooperation and greater integration of academic research with practical applications to strengthen the AAS ecosystem in both countries.