As CARMA enters its second year of implementation, I am pleased to observe the strong progress the project has achieved and the growing engagement of both the research community and operational stakeholders in our activities. Through the development and integration of advanced AI-driven and robotic technologies, CARMA contributes to a new operational paradigm for disaster response, aligned with European priorities on resilience, civil protection, and the responsible adoption of trustworthy AI. A central objective of the project is to ensure that technological innovation translates into tangible benefits for society, in particular through improved safety and effectiveness of First Responders (FRs) and enhanced protection of citizens in crisis situations.
During 2025, the consortium has advanced steadily towards its scientific and technical objectives, delivering key components of the CARMA ecosystem and preparing the ground for large-scale validation activities. To date, three robotic platforms have been developed and equipped with complementary sensing, perception, and interaction capabilities, enabling coordinated and effective human–robot collaboration in complex and dynamic operational environments.
A central focus of our technical work has been the enhancement of situational awareness, including the development of algorithms and services for object-of-interest detection, area exploration and scanning, collaborative task execution, and human–robot interaction. Several modules have already reached a mature level of integration, while ongoing developments aim to further strengthen system robustness, autonomy, and operational usability under realistic field conditions. In parallel, attention is given to ethical, legal, and social aspects, as well as to interoperability with existing emergency management procedures and systems, supporting alignment with current civil protection frameworks and operational standards.
Looking ahead to 2026, the project enters a critical and highly demanding phase, with two major pilot demonstrations planned in Madrid and Paris. These pilots will allow us to validate the CARMA solutions in relevant operational environments and to assess, in close collaboration with end users and civil protection authorities, their performance, usability, and operational added value. The results of these demonstrations will also contribute evidence to support policy discussions on the integration of autonomous systems in emergency response workflows and on the future role of AI-enabled technologies in public safety operations.
From my perspective as Scientific and Technical Coordinator, the coming year represents both a significant challenge and a major opportunity for the consortium. Achieving our objectives will require sustained and coordinated efforts across all partners, including technology developers, researchers, and operational stakeholders. By the end of this phase, CARMA aims to demonstrate an integrated system at Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6), validating a novel model of AI–Human collaboration in which intelligent systems act as operational partners that actively support situational understanding, decision-making, and field operations.
I am confident that through our multidisciplinary expertise, strong collaboration, and continued commitment to user-driven and policy-aware innovation, CARMA will contribute to strengthening European disaster resilience, informing future operational practices, and supporting evidence-based policy making for the safe and effective use of AI and robotics in safety-critical environments.
Nicholas Vretos (CERTH),
Scientific and Technical Coordinator.