Malte Seifert about XPONENTIAL Europe 2025

Messe Düsseldorf will host XPONENTIAL Europe for the first time from 18 to 20 February 2025. As a global platform for unmanned systems, mobility and robotics, it is at the centre of autonomous technologies. We spoke to Malte Seifert, Director Metals & Autonomous Technologies, about the origins, challenges and opportunities of this event.

DroneMasters: Mr. Seifert, you are the Director responsible for XPONENTIAL Europe at Messe Düsseldorf. Please explain to us what the trade fair is about and how decision-makers from the drone industry or the field of autonomous mobility can benefit from a visit to the event

Malte Seifert: XPONENTIAL Europe is a trade fair dedicated to autonomous systems and technologies, including all relevant components, sensors and services. The trade fair offers a valuable platform for the drone industry and autonomous mobility in particular. Here, industry leaders, innovators and decision-makers can discover the latest developments and products, network and discuss future market developments. By combining the exhibition and conference, we offer a unique opportunity to find out about current trends and discuss international regulatory frameworks. This exchange is essential in order to one day create standardised regulations that will drive the future of autonomous systems. This is particularly important for the drone industry, which is heavily dependent on clear and consistent regulations.

DroneMasters: Why did Messe Düsseldorf decide to organise a trade fair on the topic of ‘Autonomy of the Future’? What are the biggest challenges in planning and organising such a premiere?

Malte Seifert: The idea for this trade fair was developed in collaboration with the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), which has been successfully organising XPONENTIAL in the USA for 50 years. There is great demand for a European platform for these pioneering technologies, and Düsseldorf, with its central location and the strong industrial and research landscape in North Rhine-Westphalia, offers the ideal location. One of the biggest challenges in planning is to take into account the various regulatory frameworks in Europe and to design a programme that covers the diverse topics and challenges of autonomous systems. Especially in drone technology, which is developing rapidly, it is important to show participants that XPONENTIAL Europe is much more than just a ‘drone and robotics trade fair’. We present innovations from autonomous aviation, but also developments in areas such as autonomous shipping and logistics automation. This diversity emphasises the broad relevance and numerous possible applications of autonomous systems.

DroneMasters: What highlights can visitors expect at XPONENTIAL Europe 2025?

Malte Seifert: XPONENTIAL Europe 2025 will offer numerous highlights. These include the presentation of the latest technologies from the fields of drones, autonomous vehicles and robotics, some of which will also be demonstrated live on site. A special highlight is the European Drone Forum, which will take place for the first time in Düsseldorf on 17 and 18 February 2025. Organised by the Association for Unmanned Aviation UAV DACH, the forum offers an important platform for exchange between the UAS industry and regulatory authorities. It brings together global players and promotes dialogue between industry and decision-makers, which is crucial for the future of drone technology.

Another highlight is the start-up ecosystem ‘XPO+ Launcher’. Here, start-ups have the opportunity to present their latest autonomous innovations and services to industry leaders, potential investors and customers. They will be supported by a global network of exclusive partners, including DroneMasters. The start-up stage and lounge will cover a wide range of technologies, from drone hardware to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. This makes XPONENTIAL Europe an unmissable event for anyone who wants to be part of the future of autonomous technologies.

DroneMasters: These are indeed exciting topics that concern us all. In your opinion, what role do autonomous systems and robotics play in today's industry and how will XPONENTIAL Europe 2025 help to drive these technologies forward?

Malte Seifert: Autonomous systems and robotics are now an integral part of many industries. They increase efficiency, enhance safety and enable completely new business models. XPONENTIAL Europe 2025 will play a central role in driving these technologies forward by acting as a catalyst for innovation and a platform for knowledge exchange. By bringing together professionals from different sectors, from aviation to automotive to logistics, the show will help to integrate autonomous systems and robotics into the market faster and more efficiently. We see great potential particularly in the field of drone technology, which is already revolutionising numerous industries.

DroneMasters: What is the status quo of autonomous mobility in Germany? What impulses would you like to see from politics?

Malte Seifert: Germany is a leader in many areas of autonomous transport, particularly in the automotive industry and logistics. Nevertheless, there are still challenges, particularly with regard to the legal framework and the integration of these innovative systems into the existing infrastructure. I would like to see more support from politics in the creation of clear and standardised regulations as well as investment in the expansion of the necessary infrastructure so that autonomous technologies can be established on the market faster, more efficiently and under clear conditions. This is particularly important for the drone industry, which is heavily dependent on regulatory progress.

DroneMasters: What future trends and innovations do you expect to see in the field of autonomous systems and robotics over the next five years?

Malte Seifert: Over the next five years, I expect to see major advances in the integration of artificial intelligence into autonomous systems, which will significantly improve their ability to self-adapt and make decisions. In addition, the interconnectivity of different autonomous systems will increase, enabling new synergies and applications. Another trend will be the increasing spread of autonomous systems in agriculture and urban areas, where they can help solve problems such as labour shortages and traffic congestion. There will also be significant advances in drone technology, particularly in the automation of delivery services and urban air mobility.

DroneMasters: XPONENTIAL Europe takes place alongside EuroCIS, the leading trade fair for retail technology in Europe. To what extent does the trade fair audience benefit from the parallel event?

Malte Seifert: There are three key points from which visitors to both trade fairs will benefit: Firstly, many components and sensors, such as camera systems, can be applied across all topics. Secondly, topics such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity are highly relevant for both sectors and offer enormous added value through the exchange between them. Thirdly, the retail sector is one of the most important application industries for autonomous systems and therefore an important target group of XPONENTIAL Europe, which will be able to find out about the latest innovations and technologies directly and in one place from 2025.

DroneMasters: Thank you very much for the interview, Mr. Seifert.

Malte Seifert: Thank you, it was a pleasure.