SMAUG at the Borderless Border Management 2026 Event
Last week, representatives of the SMAUG project participated in the Borderless Border Management 2026 event held in Narva, Estonia.
The project was represented by the SMAUG coordinator, Juan-Román Martínez Arranz (Indra Group), together with Rafael Company (Fundación Valenciaport), Timmu Tollimägi (VETE Engineering), and Esther Salmoral Olaya from Agencia Estatal de la Administración Tributaria.
The event brought together policymakers, industry representatives, researchers and security experts to discuss current challenges and innovations in border management.
It served as an important platform for exchanging knowledge and exploring emerging technologies shaping the future of border protection, including smart border systems, artificial intelligence for surveillance, and advanced unmanned technologies.
During the Creative Breakout Sessions and Workgroups, several European research and innovation projects were presented, including SMAUG, whose objectives, latest progress, and developments were shared.
Key topics discussed throughout the event included:
- Smart borders and biometric technologies to optimise traveller flows
- Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity applications for border surveillance
- Unmanned systems, including drones and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), for the protection of critical infrastructure
A highlight of the conference was the demonstration of the ROV developed within the SMAUG project, which showcased how innovative underwater technologies can strengthen the protection of port environments and critical maritime infrastructure.
Participation in events such as Borderless Border Management 2026 provides valuable opportunities to present project results, exchange ideas with experts in the field, and strengthen collaboration within the European security research community.
Stay tuned with SMAUG to learn first about the project’s news and activities!
