New Developments from XPONENTIAL Europe 2026 in Düsseldorf

A Wide Range of Innovations in Land and Water Drones

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    Although unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) continue to dominate, land and water drones (UGVs, UUVs, and USVs) are seeing a significant increase in exhibitors and prominence at XPONENTIAL Europe 2026. These drone categories are playing an increasingly important role, particularly in the defense sector.

    One example of developments in the field of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) is the program from the company NEWT21. The company is presenting a USV available in single- or twin-hull configurations. It is powered by an internal combustion engine. The catamaran version can be used in a variety of ways, for example as a launch platform for unmanned aerial vehicles.

    The University of Duisburg-Essen presented another exciting project: the teleoperated research vessel NOVA. A full-scale model was on display at the trade show, while the original, manned vessel was demonstrated on the Rhine. The teleoperator controlled the ship via video directly from the exhibition hall.

    Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) are increasingly establishing themselves as multimodal platforms. They are widely used in the public safety sector as well as by military units for various tasks. Small, unmanned vehicles are also gaining importance in agriculture. As the largest exhibitor in the UGV segment, KNDS showcased its THeMIS and Ultro models.

    EDAG presented the Citybot, an innovative test vehicle designed for automated and teleoperated use. The vehicle features a short wheelbase and two steerable axles, giving it the ability to turn on a dime.

    A particular strength of the Citybot lies in its modular expandability. It can be equipped with various payloads, including a cabin for passenger transport or specialized tools, such as those for cleaning runways. This flexibility enables the Citybot to perform a wide range of tasks in municipal settings that previously required numerous different specialized vehicles.

    These developments underscore the diversification of the market beyond aviation. The growing number of exhibitors and the innovations presented demonstrate that land and water drones are not merely niche products, but rather growing segments with significant potential in both civilian and military applications. In particular, the ability to integrate systems – such as the use of USVs as launch platforms for UAVs – opens up new operational possibilities and promotes the networking of unmanned systems.


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