Linking Space Technologies with the User

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Published: 
09 April 2014

The challenge of bringing the benefits created by space technologies, such as GNSS, firmly onto the user market is a major focus of the European GNSS Agency (GSA). The topic was also the subject of a session during the Munich Satellite Navigation Summit, where the GSA joined representatives of industry, think-tanks and policy to discuss the potential opportunities ahead.

The market and users are evolving quickly. Just think, it was only in 1999 that the first hand-held GPS devices were introduced. By 2004 we saw the first mass-market satnav systems for cars for sale in Europe, and in 2009 GNSS was a standard function in all smartphones.

According to Fiammetta Diani of the GSA, this fast-paced trend is likely to continue – particularly in connected vehicles, the internet of things, location- based payments and wearable devices. She also noted the way EU policy can create new and mass market applications through such initiatives as the implementation of the universal e-Call automated emergency service and a new generation of digital tachographs for trucks that will require GNSS technology.

The GSA is closely involved in ongoing studies to better understand the market and users and create a competitive EU offering. The agency’s work includes developing roadmaps to stimulate adoption of European GNSS (E-GNSS) technologies and supporting industry and entrepreneurs to bring services and applications to market through such EU research and development programmes as FP7 and Horizon 2020.

Further, the GSA is making sure users are provided with world-class service support shaped by their requirements. Examples of this include the EGNOS Helpdesk, along with the new ‘European GNSS Service Centre’ or ‘GSC’ established in Madrid and already providing an interface for future Galileo users.

Learning to Navigate

To highlight the barriers to users accessing the space application market, Norbert Huebner of the European Space Agency (ESA) noted that both the user and space communities rarely meet. According to him, there is a great demand for bridges between the communities. He highlighted ESA’s Integrated Applications Promotion programme (also known as ARTES 20) as a good way to get close to end-users via business incubators. The programme works on awareness-raising of space-based opportunities, launches feasibility studies and helps fund demonstration projects.

Common examples of well-established commercial space sectors include satellite navigation and satellite TV services. However, according to Frank Bensch of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), space technology ‘thinking’ is still too compartmentalised and driven by a technology push. Instead, the sector needs to turn its focus to a market pull. But how does one generate 'pull' without a market?

According to Dr. Bensch, it is essential to put the user viewpoint into the programme from the start. “It is essential to avoid white elephants and ensure that projects are not driven by ‘space geeks’,” he said. “Instead, projects must be based on innovative but commercially viable services that can be enabled by space knowledge.”

“Projects must be based on innovative but commercially viable services that can be enabled by space knowledge.”

Dr. Frank Bensch


Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European GNSS Agency (GSA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the GSA website (http://www.gsa.europa.eu). 


More information: 

The European GNSS Agency 

EGNOS Portal

Munich Satellite Navigation Summit 2014

eCall

ARTES 20

Updated: Jan 30, 2018