West Avia took an important step forward in building its Living Lab ecosystem as companies, universities, researchers and public sector organisations gathered for the first West Avia Lab Day at Seinäjoki Airport.
The event was organised in collaboration with Into Seinäjoki, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SeAMK), Sedu, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences and the University Consortium of Seinäjoki. Throughout the day, participants explored how autonomous technologies can be developed, tested and demonstrated through close collaboration between industry and research.
The morning programme featured presentations from technology companies, research organisations and West Avia partners, highlighting the latest developments in autonomous systems, robotics, communications, logistics and dual-use technologies.
President of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences Dr. Jaakko Hallila encouraging companies to seek collaboration with SeAMK. Picture credits: Aki Vainio-Hynnilä
The afternoon demonstrations brought these ideas into practice.
Instead of showcasing individual products, the demonstrations formed one operational scenario where different technologies worked together to respond to a simulated emergency. Mobile communications, drones, unmanned ground vehicles, robotics and positioning technologies demonstrated how future solutions could support emergency response, situational awareness, critical logistics and supply security.
The demonstrations highlighted one of West Avia’s key objectives: creating an environment where companies and research organisations can combine their expertise to develop new autonomous solutions together.
Building Finland’s next-generation Living Lab
West Avia is developing a unique testing environment where autonomous technologies can be tested in the air, on the ground and on the water.
A major milestone will be the planned 1,400 km² BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) flight area, currently under approval by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. Once operational, the area will provide companies with exceptional opportunities to test autonomous operations in real-world environments, including industrial areas, commercial services and an active airport where manned and unmanned aviation operate side by side.
A major milestone will be the planned 1,400 km² BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) flight area
The goal is to make West Avia an international hub for testing, piloting and developing autonomous technologies.
From Lab to Real-World Testing
West Avia is much more than a testing environment. Together with SeAMK and its world-class RDI laboratories, we are building an innovation ecosystem where companies can develop new technologies from the very first prototype to full-scale field testing.
While West Avia provides real-world testing environments in the air, on the ground and on the water, SeAMK’s laboratories offer cutting-edge capabilities in areas such as XR, robotics and automation. Together, we provide Finnish and international companies with a unique platform to accelerate innovation, validate new solutions and bring them closer to market.
SeAMK laboratory engineer Tapio Hellman showcasing the capabilities of XR laboratory in practice.
Collaboration creates innovation
The greatest outcome of the day was not a single technology demonstration, but the new connections created between companies, researchers and potential end users.
West Avia Lab Day demonstrated how innovation grows through collaboration and how a shared testing environment can accelerate the development of practical solutions for industry, logistics, public safety and future mobility.
West Avia will continue to organise testing events and demonstrations, inviting companies from Finland and abroad to develop, validate and pilot the next generation of autonomous technologies together.
snapshots from West Avia lab day
photos: aki vainio-hynnilä
Elisabet Kivimäki
Asiakkuuspäällikkö, Into Seinäjoki
