MOMO NEKO conducts Research & Development (R&D) activities focused on the development, integration, testing, and commercialization of advanced dual-use technologies applicable across civilian, emergency response, public safety, and defence sectors. Its R&D strategy combines expertise in unmanned systems, Earth Observation and space technologies, Artificial Intelligence, advanced materials and composites, sensor technologies, and personal protection systems. A key objective is to develop technologies that can be validated in real operational environments and subsequently commercialized across European and Asian markets.
One of the key R&D projects is DroneCrate – a modular payload system designed for integration with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The project focuses on developing a standardized platform that enables drones to autonomously attach, transport, deploy, and exchange mission-specific payload modules. Civilian applications include aerial firefighting, emergency response, transportation of equipment and supplies, environmental monitoring, reforestation, and restoration of degraded areas. The modular architecture follows a dual-use approach, allowing the platform to be adapted to specialized security, defence, and high-risk logistics applications.
Another important R&D area is the Tactical Combat Suit for Firefighters and Special Operations Forces (SOF). The project focuses on the development of an advanced modular personal protection system designed for firefighters, emergency responders, and special operations personnel. Research includes multilayer protective structures, lightweight and heat-resistant materials, mechanical protection, environmental resistance, and improved ergonomics. Future versions of the system may integrate wearable sensors monitoring environmental conditions and the user’s physiological parameters, as well as communication, positioning, and situational-awareness technologies. The objective is to create a configurable technological platform adaptable to firefighting, rescue operations, hazardous environments, and tactical applications.
MOMO NEKO is also developing an Earth Observation System for Health and Environmental Hazard Recognition and Monitoring. The system combines satellite Earth Observation data with geospatial analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and information collected from terrestrial sources and sensors. The technology is being developed to identify, assess, and monitor health, fire, and water-related hazards. Potential applications include the detection and analysis of urban heat islands, extreme temperatures, drought conditions, vegetation stress, wildfire risk, flooding, water-related hazards, and other environmental anomalies.
Within the public-health dimension, the Earth Observation platform is designed to investigate spatial relationships between environmental conditions and health risks. By combining satellite imagery, environmental indicators, historical datasets, and AI-based analytical models, the system can support the identification of geographical areas where environmental factors may contribute to increased health risks. This creates opportunities for applications in smart cities, climate adaptation, public health planning, civil protection, disaster management, and environmental security.
A further strategic R&D area is the development of new composites and advanced materials for dual-use applications. Research focuses on materials offering a high strength-to-weight ratio, thermal resistance, mechanical durability, environmental resistance, and multifunctional properties. Potential applications include UAV structures, autonomous platforms, DroneCrate modules, protective equipment, lightweight structural components, and systems for aerospace, space, emergency response, and defence industries. Particular attention is given to materials that can reduce system weight while simultaneously improving durability, operational performance, and resistance to extreme conditions.
The common objective of MOMO NEKO’s R&D activities is to create an integrated dual-use technology ecosystem in which autonomous systems, satellite data, AI, sensors, protective technologies, and advanced materials complement each other. Rather than developing isolated products, MOMO NEKO aims to create adaptable technology platforms capable of addressing multiple operational scenarios – from environmental monitoring and disaster prevention to firefighting, civil protection, emergency response, critical infrastructure protection, and defence applications.