Project owner and operator | General Secretariat for Telecommunications and Post |
Budget | € 450,000.00 (exclusive of VAT) |
Brief description
The Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to transform many aspects of our lives, from healthcare and transportation to energy and industrial manufacturing and processing. In order to fully exploit this potential, it is necessary that it develops a comprehensive national strategy for the use of the IoT technology. This project describes such a strategy, aiming at creating a favorable environment for the development and use of the IoT technology in our country, creating a competitive and innovative IoT industry and maximizing the benefits of the IoT for society and the economy.
The IoT vision is to create a more unified and more connected country, where IoT technologies are used to improve people’s lives, create new business opportunities and support sustainable economic growth.
What is the object of the project?
The Ministry of Digital Governance and the General Secretariat of Telecommunications and Post are focusing on the development of a comprehensive national strategy for the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, as well as the development of a comprehensive national strategy for the use of Unmanned Vehicles and the establishment of a clear and coherent framework for their safe, responsible and regulated integration into the national space. The aim of the study is to create a favorable environment for the development and use of such technologies in Greece, to support the development of a competitive and innovative IoT and Unmanned Vehicles industry and to maximize the benefits of the IoT for society and the economy.
In order to achieve these objectives, the national strategy for the IoT and Unmanned Vehicles shall build on a multifaceted approach which includes the following key components:
- Regulatory framework: Development of a comprehensive and coherent set of regulations and guidelines for the safe and responsible use of Unmanned Vehicles. This may include requirements for operator training and inactivation, as well as technical standards for the design and operation of Unmanned Vehicles.
- Research and development: Encouragement and support of the development of new technologies and applications of Unmanned Vehicles through research grants and funding programs.
- Development of the respective industry Promotion of the development of the Unmanned Vehicles industry by supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and encouraging investment in the sector.
- International cooperation: Collaboration with international partners and stakeholders to promote the safe and responsible use of Unmanned Vehicles and to facilitate the exchange of best practices and technical expertise.
What are the objectives for the IoT?
- increasing the use of the Internet of Things in key sectors such as healthcare, transportation and energy to improve the provision of services and reduce costs and environmental footprint;
- supporting a sustainable economic development, creating new jobs and improving the quality of life;
- enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of the IoT, in order to promote new products, services and application models;
- ensuring that all citizens share the benefits of the Internet of Things, regardless of their socio-economic status, age or location;
- promoting transparency and interoperability of IoT systems at international level, through international cooperation;
- evaluating and examining existing structures and practices in the light of the national strategy for the IoT.
What are the objectives for Unmanned Vehicles?
In addition, the rapid growth of the Unmanned Vehicles industry offers economic opportunities that could be exploited to drive innovation and growth, but such opportunities are not being fully realized due to lack of coordinated planning and investment. The establishment of a clear and coherent framework for these vehicles is essential for their safe, responsible and regulated integration into the national space, as well as for maximizing the benefits that can be achieved for society and the economy. The timely and decisive intervention of the Public Administration is of vital importance for the promotion of Greece to a competitive/leading position in the adoption of Unmanned Vehicles and autonomous robotic systems / drones, as well as in the prevention of serious risks to the safety of citizens.
For Unmanned Vehicles, the objectives of the strategy include:
- promoting the safe and responsible use of Unmanned Vehicles through the development of clear and consistent rules and guidelines;
- strengthening the security and privacy of the operations of Unmanned Vehicles through the implementation of measures such as secure communication and identification systems;
- ensuring that both autonomous Unmanned Vehicles and manned vehicles (airplanes, helicopters, cars, ships, submarines) are operated in a safe and efficient manner by harmonizing the approach for the development of regulations that will allow innovation and economic development of this important, emerging industry;
- harmonizing the design pattern of the regulations to ensure that, in order to build and operate autonomous robotic systems, the standards taken into account to determine safety are the same/similar in all operating environments (land, air, sea);
- promoting the development of the Unmanned Vehicles industry by enhancing research and development, encouraging investment and supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises;
- promoting the use of Unmanned Vehicles for the benefit of the society, including, inter alia, disaster response, environmental monitoring and other public interest applications.
Who are the beneficiaries of the Project?
- Some areas of the IoT Strategy covered by the scope of the project:
- Emergency response and civil protection: The IoT can be used to improve emergency response and management, such as early detection of fires, identification of flood risk, identification and monitoring of emergency responders, and coordination of emergency services in the event of other natural disasters.
- Smart homes: Appliances connected to the Internet, such as thermostats, lighting systems and devices, can be controlled remotely and can be programmed to operate automatically, increasing energy efficiency and convenience.
- Cybersecurity: The IoT can be used for protection against cyber threats, such as the detection and prevention of cyber attacks on devices and networks.
- Environment and management of natural resources The IoT can be used for monitoring and managing various aspects of the environment, such as air and water quality, as well as resource management, such as population monitoring and wildlife activities.
- Transport: The IoT can be used to improve the efficiency and safety of transport systems, such as traffic management and communication between vehicles.
- National Strategy for Unmanned Vehicles
The implementation of the National Strategy for the use of Unmanned Vehicles concerns a wide range of sectors and subsectors, including, but not limited to:
- Defense: Development of guidelines for the use of Unmanned Vehicles by military and defense services, including surveillance, intelligence gathering and other defense-related activities.
- National Security: Treatment of national security risks, including through the establishment of security clearance requirements for operators and restrictions on the use of Unmanned Vehicles in sensitive areas.
- Agriculture: Exploring the possibilities of using Unmanned Vehicles in agriculture, including through the development of guidelines for the use of Unmanned vehicles for the monitoring of crops, irrigation and other activities related to agriculture.
- Cooperation with the industry: Cooperation with industry groups and other stakeholders to identify best practices and develop guidelines for a safe and responsible use of Unmanned Vehicles.
- Action: Exploring the possibilities of using Unmanned Vehicles in the energy sector, including through the development of guidelines for their use in monitoring and maintenance of energy infrastructure.
- Health: Exploring the possibilities of using Unmanned Vehicles in the health sector, including through the development of guidelines for their use in transport of medical supplies and/or patients.
- Transport: Exploring the possibilities of using Unmanned Vehicles in the transport sector, including through the development of guidelines for their use in the distribution of goods and other activities in the transport sector.