Skydio Opens First European R&D Office in Tampere, Finland

Skydio, the leading U.S. drone manufacturer and global pioneer in autonomous flight, has announced the launch of its first European R&D center in Tampere, Finland. The new subsidiary will focus on developing advanced camera technologies for Skydio’s uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), which serve a wide range of applications from public safety and critical infrastructure inspection to defense and battlefield awareness.

 “We’ve long known that Tampere has world-class imaging talent and technology, and we’re extremely excited to open Skydio’s first European R&D facility here,” said Adam Bry, co-founder and CEO of Skydio. “Imaging and sensing are at the core of how our products deliver value for our customers, and the investment we’re making in Tampere will accelerate our product portfolio over the coming years.”

 Tampere was chosen for its internationally recognized Imaging Ecosystem, which includes more than two dozen companies and world-renowned academic research in signal processing and mobile imaging. The region’s legacy as a mobile technology pioneer, rooted in Nokia’s early camera phone innovations, has matured into a globally competitive cluster specializing in next-generation imaging, AI, and embedded sensing.

 “While this is the 15th new imaging-focused R&D site from overseas in eight years, Skydio is the first to focus specifically on aerial robotics,” says Pertti Aimonen, COO of Business Tampere. “This shows how Tampere’s imaging expertise continues to evolve into new frontiers, including autonomy and defense technologies.”

Skydio’s Tampere team will initially include experts in camera mechanics, electronics and software engineering, with open roles already listed on the company’s career portal. The center is expected to grow in the coming years, contributing to the region’s position as a northern European stronghold in intelligent vision systems.

Dual-use Innovation and Transatlantic Trust

Skydio’s technology is widely used by public safety authorities, utility companies, and defense clients such as the U.S. military and allied nations. Amid increasing geopolitical tensions and a global shift toward secure, non-China-based tech supply chains, the company’s U.S.-assembled drones have become a preferred solution for many Western governments.

In Ukraine, for instance, autonomous drones are used for frontline reconnaissance and critical infrastructure surveillance. At the heart of these operations are reliable and intelligent camera systems -the very components now being further developed in Tampere.

 “There is growing demand for camera and drone technology that’s not only high-performing but also trusted and secure. Tampere offers a unique environment where innovation, talent and international credibility meet,” notes Oliver Hussey, Business Advisor at Business Tampere.

 More information:

Oliver Hussey, Head of ICT

oliver.hussey@businesstampere.com