SYNERGISE Final Demonstration – See the Integrated System in Action

After three years of research, development and extensive field testing, the SYNERGISE project is approaching its conclusion. On 15 October 2026 in Berlin, the consortium will come together for its Final Demonstration Event, presenting the results and achievements of the project and showcasing the fully integrated SYNERGISE system in action.

Throughout the project, technologies have been developed and tested together with first responders under increasingly realistic conditions. At the Final Demonstration, these solutions will be brought together to demonstrate how they can work as an integrated system to support first responders during complex emergency situations.

Participants will experience robots and drones, wearable devices, sensors, geo-location technologies, augmented reality solutions, and command and control systems working together in realistic emergency-response scenarios. SYNERGISE_Final_Demonstration_P…

The event will combine project presentations, live technology demonstrations, discussions on civil protection and emergency response, and networking opportunities, providing a final opportunity to discover the technologies developed within SYNERGISE and meet the people behind the project. SYNERGISE_Final_Demonstration_P…

📍 15 October 2026 | Berlin, Germany
📩 Interested in joining? Contact: Synergise_pno@eurtd.com

Registration closed!

SYNERGISE technologies put to the test in realistic disaster response scenarios

The SYNERGISE project has successfully completed its first System Field Test (SFT1), marking an important milestone in the development of its integrated disaster response solution. For the first time, the project’s technologies were brought together and tested as a complete system in large-scale, operational scenarios.

Held from 15 to 17 June in Bortyka, Sweden, SFT1 brought together the the SYNERGISE consortium, including first responders, researchers and technology developers, as well as members of the Advisory Board.

The exercise recreated complex emergency situations requiring close coordination between different response teams and technologies.

Rather than assessing individual components in isolation, SFT1 focused on how the complete SYNERGISE system performs when deployed together under demanding field conditions.

During the exercise, participants demonstrated and evaluated:

• Autonomous ground and aerial robotic platforms supporting search, mapping, reconnaissance, and victim detection.
• Wearable technologies providing real-time information on responder health, safety, and environmental conditions.
• Localisation and tracking technologies enabling accurate positioning of first responders in indoor, underground, and other challenging or GNSS-denied environments.
• Integrated command, control, communication and information management solutions providing first responders and command centres with real-time operational information, enhanced situational awareness, and effective coordination during emergency response operations.
• AI-assisted tools supporting coordination, information processing, and effective human-machine collaboration.

SFT1 represented an important step beyond the previous Component Field Tests. By bringing the individual technologies into a single operational environment, the exercise enabled the consortium to assess interoperability, usability, reliability, and overall system performance.

First responders played a central role throughout the test, using the technologies during the scenarios and providing direct operational feedback. Their experience will help ensure that the SYNERGISE solution is not only technically robust, but also practical, safe, and effective for those who may ultimately use it in real-world emergencies.

Next steps

The findings from SFT1 will now feed directly into the next phase of development. Based on technical results and feedback from participating first responders, the consortium will refine the platform, address identified challenges, and further improve the interaction between its different technologies.

These improvements will prepare SYNERGISE for the second and final System Field Test (SFT2), where the enhanced system will undergo its next major operational validation. The goal remains to provide first responders with technologies that strengthen situational awareness, improve coordination, and support safer and more efficient disaster response.

The SYNERGISE project participated in INTERSCHUTZ 2026, held in Hannover, Germany, from 1 to 6 June 2026. As the world’s leading trade fair for fire and rescue services, civil protection, safety, and security, the event brought together first responders, emergency service organisations, researchers, industry representatives, public authorities, policymakers, and technology developers to explore the latest innovations shaping the future of disaster response.

Throughout the exhibition, SYNERGISE was represented with a dedicated booth alongside project partner ASTRIAL, providing visitors with an opportunity to discover the project’s latest developments and engage directly with consortium members. The booth attracted a wide range of stakeholders, fostering discussions on the future of disaster response and the integration of innovative technologies into operational practice.

Representatives from the SYNERGISE consortium, including Wearin’, SYSNAV , Tohoku University, ETH Zurich, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU), SATWAYS as well as end-user organisations German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) and Södertörns brandförsvarsförbund, showcased the project’s integrated solutions designed to support first responders in complex emergency environments. Visitors learned about advancements in autonomous robotic platforms, wearable technologies, secure communications, localisation systems, and the information management platform that together enhance situational awareness, operational coordination, and responder safety.

The SYNERGISE project participated in the Public Safety Communication Europe Conference, held in Milan, Italy, on 19–20 May 2026. The conference gathered experts from emergency services, public safety organisations, academia, industry, public authorities, and European research projects to explore emerging technologies, strengthen collaboration, and address current challenges in crisis management and emergency communications.

SYNERGISE was represented by PLUSETHICS and Project Coordinator Tiina Ristmäe (THW), who presented the project’s objectives, recent progress, and its integrated approach to supporting first responders in complex emergency situations. During her presentation, Tiina highlighted the development of innovative SYNERGISE solutions, including autonomous robotic platforms, wearable technologies, secure communication and localisation systems, and advanced information management tools designed to improve situational awareness, operational coordination, and responder safety.

The conference provided an excellent opportunity to introduce SYNERGISE to a broad audience of public safety professionals and research experts, exchange knowledge with other European initiatives, and discuss the role of innovative technologies in strengthening emergency response capabilities. The discussions and networking throughout the event also contributed to increasing the project’s visibility and fostering new connections within the European public safety community.

In April 2026, the SYNERGISE project conducted a major mission to South Korea, bringing together European, Japanese, and Korean partners for a week of workshops, technology demonstrations, field testing, and strategic discussions on disaster resilience.

The visit began in Seoul with exchanges hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters and field demonstrations at the Seoul Fire Academy. Partners tested and showcased innovative SYNERGISE technologies, including robotics, wearable systems, augmented reality applications, and advanced communication solutions designed to support first responders in challenging operational environments.

The programme continued in Daejeon with workshops at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), where participants explored emerging technologies and discussed future opportunities for international cooperation in disaster management and situational awareness.

A key highlight of the mission was a high-level meeting at the Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters (DSMH) of the Korean Ministry of the Interior and Safety in Sejong. Discussions focused on disaster resilience strategies, innovation, and future collaboration between South Korea and the wider EU Disaster Resilience System (EU-DRS).

The mission concluded with workshops hosted by SYNERGISE partner VIRNECT, further strengthening cooperation between project partners and reinforcing the importance of international collaboration in developing innovative solutions for emergency response and civil protection.

In February 2026, representatives of the SYNERGISE project travelled to Japan for a week of collaboration and knowledge exchange with leading organisations in disaster management, volunteer coordination, and robotics research.

The visit began at the Nippon Volunteer Organization Summit, where SYNERGISE Coordinator Tiina Ristmäe and Patrick Böhm from the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) presented the German volunteer-based disaster response system. Discussions focused on strengthening volunteer engagement and enhancing organised disaster response capacities through international exchange.

The delegation was also invited by SYNERGISE partner Tohoku University to visit its robotics laboratories and explore innovative technologies developed for disaster response. Researchers showcased a range of innovative solutions, including search-and-rescue robots, inspection vehicles, canine support technologies, and drone systems designed to operate in challenging environments.

The final stop was the Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation (F-REI), which supports the participation of the Tohoku University team within the SYNERGISE project. During the meeting, the team presented SYNERGISE activities and highlighted the development of the SNAKE Robot, an advanced robotic system designed for operations in confined and hazardous spaces. The visit also provided an opportunity to exchange views with F-REI leadership on the future of international research collaboration and innovation for disaster resilience.

Through engagement with volunteer organisations, researchers, and innovation leaders, the Japan visit reinforced SYNERGISE’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships and advancing technologies that support safer and more resilient communities.

The SYNERGISE project has successfully completed its fourth Component Field Test (CFT4), an important step toward improving the safety, coordination, and effectiveness of first responders in complex disaster environments.

The CFT4 was held from 27 to 29 November at the training facility in Wangen an der Aare, Switzerland and was organised by ETH Zürich. Around 70 participants from 15 countries joined the five-day event, with First Responders from CNBOP (Poland), THW (Germany), HRTA (Greece), SBFF (Sweden), technical partners from ASTRIAL, CERTH, ETH Zürich, ETRI, NTNU, SATWAYS, SYSNAV, TNO, TOHOKU, VIRNECT, WEARING as well as Advisory Board members (Canada, Netherlands, UK, USA).

The test scenarios replicated challenging emergency settings, including surface and underground search and rescue operations following buildings/infrastructures collapse or fire. The following components were tested:

• ANYmal and SNAKE robots for autonomous navigation and victim detection.
• Indoor drone OWL for mapping and aerial surveillance in confined spaces.
• Health and environmental wearables for real-time monitoring of responder wellbeing.
• Field communication and localisation devices to ensure secure connectivity.
• Information management systems linking field teams with command centres via live videoconferencing and data dashboards.

These tools were assessed for interoperability, usability, and resilience, with first responders providing direct feedback to guide the next development phases. The test also reflected the project’s commitment to ethical human-machine teaming and the safe integration of robotics and AI in field operations

Next Steps
Insights from CFT4 will inform preparations for the first System Field Test (SFT1), scheduled for 2026, where all technologies will be fully integrated and evaluated together in complex, multi-hazard scenarios. The ultimate goal is to ensure that SYNERGISE solutions are ready for deployment in real emergencies, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of first responders worldwide.

More information:

– CFT4 Official Video

– News article from Berner Zeitung from Tamedia Group (In German)

– News article from RTS – the Swiss public radio and TV media from the French part of Switzerland (in French)

– News article from SRF, the Swiss public radio and TV media from the German part of Switzerland (in German)

– Official press release/invitation