Kick-off: Autonomous systems for Defence and Security

Launch event VISD

Flanders Make is taking on an active and coordinating role within the Flemish Innovation and Industry Strategy for Security and Defence (VISD). As part of this, we are working with research and industry partners to develop a roadmap for autonomy, focusing on technologies with clear dual-use applications and societal added value.

We would like to invite you to attend the launch event taking place on 23 June from 13:00 at Flanders Make in Kortrijk.

During this launch event:

• We will explain how the VISD programme can help companies find their way into the new Defence and Security market
• We will bring together relevant research and industrial partners
• We will translate strategy into concrete project opportunities centred on the theme of autonomous detection of mines. 

The programme consists of:

• A plenary session featuring contributions from, among others, Flanders Make, VITO, imec, and the Royal Military Academy
• Workshops, focused on in-depth discussion, interaction and matchmaking between participants. These are organised according to the various aspects of autonomous detection of mines:
  • Observation: The collection of real-time data from the environment and internal systems.
  • Orientation: Analysing and synthesising the observations, taking into account prior knowledge and experience.
  • Decision-making: Selecting the best course of action based on the orientation phase.
  • Acting: The execution of the decision, followed by feedback (observation) to restart the cycle.
  • Collaborate: The execution of decision-making processes at fleet level within a system-of-systems approach for the organisation of complex distributed tasks

Call for companies: Pitch your approach

For this part of the workshop, we would like to invite companies to contribute actively.

Organisations offering technology, solutions or expertise relating to autonomy within security and defence (e.g. sensing, AI, mobility, control, human-machine interaction, etc.) are invited to apply to briefly outline their approach via a short pitch.

• Aim of the pitch: to share concrete technological capabilities and identify collaboration and project opportunities within VISD.
• Format: a short, focused pitch as input for the workshop.
• Selection: pitches will be aligned with the thematic focus of the workshops and the wider VISD ecosystem.

Companies interested in participating can indicate this via  their registration.

Agenda

 Practicalities

• Date: Tuesday 23 June 2026
• Time: 13:00-19:00
• Location: Flanders Make Kortrijk, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 16, 8500 Kortrijk
• For whom? Companies, research institutions and stakeholders active in or interested in autonomous systems for security and defence.