Metropolitan UAM: enabling Urban Drone Business Through Collaboration and Learned Lessons

The primary challenge is enabling controlled, scalable, and economically viable Urban Air Mobility (UAM), specifically unmanned drone operations, within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. This project was triggered not only by the growing potential and identified barriers but also by lessons from a rejected prior proposal (enabling energy-efficient and low-carbon drone business). Feedback on that proposal highlighted a need for more concrete business applications, clearer implementation pathways, and stronger stakeholder collaboration – directly shaping the practical, cooperative approach of Metropolitan UAM.

The strategy focuses on building the metropolitan UAM ecosystem and RDI cooperation; intensifying U-space cooperation and capacity building; and supporting SME business/RDI via spatial development. Key objectives are to consolidate regional RDI cooperation, initiate U-space development, solve drone sector challenges, and ultimately enable the scaling of drone businesses.

The strategy is implemented through four interconnected work packages led by the partners (Vantaa, Helsinki, FVH, VTT). A multi-actor approach directly links activities to the objectives of ecosystem bu building, U-space development, and business enablement.

The practice's strength lies in its concrete, collaborative approach addressing known bottlenecks. By involving SMEs directly and aiming to support RDI commercialization, it addresses the previous critique regarding tangible business impacts. The project builds on existing regional strengths and stakeholder commitment.

Key enabling conditions include incorporating feedback from the previous rejected proposal, which has led to a more focused and practical approach. There is also a developing drone activity in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, accompanied by expressed needs from city departments and companies. Additionally, EU ERDF funding is available through the HEV innovations program. Evolving EU regulations, such as EASA 2021/664, emphasize the role of cities in managing U-space. Finally, leveraging insights and results from previous related projects will also contribute to progress.

Key challenges include addressing the technical and regulatory complexity of U-space implementation and integration with existing air traffic management; ensuring genuine SME engagement and achieving tangible business outcomes beyond pilots; and managing public perception and ensuring societal acceptance of of increased drone traffic.

As the "Metropolitan UAM" project is scheduled to start on 1.10.2025, concrete evidence of achieved success is not yet available. Success will be measured against its objectives upon completion. Key indicators will include the establishment of the regional UAM TKI group, successful U-space pilots, number of SMEs engaged and developing new services, development of vertiport concepts, and strengthened city capacity for UAM management.

Expected impacts include: enhanced RDI activity and commercialization for SMEs in the UAM sector; a clearer framework for vertiport/landing infrastructure planning; new drone-based services piloted and potentially launched; Improved regional competitiveness and profiling as a s a UAM pioneer; A transferable model for UAM development for other cities.

The "Metropolitan UAM" practice offers significant learning, particularly in demonstrating how cities can proactively shape emerging technology deployment through collaboration. Its focus on cross-municipal cooperation to tackle shared challenges (airspace, infrastructure) is highly transferable, as many metropolitan regions face similar fragmentation. The structured approach involving RDI actors, cities, and SMEs provides a replicable model for building functional innovation ecosystems. The explicit focus on U-space development offers valuable insights for other cities navigating new EU regulations. Furthermore, the project’s origin story—learning from a previous rejection to build a stronger, more practical initiative—provides a crucial lesson in adaptive strategy for innovation projects.

https://hevinnovations.fi/en/