The EDA Makeathon challenges teams from across Europe to design and test robotic systems for real-world defence and support missions. Supported by ESF, this initiative turns cutting-edge engineering into practical solutions for a safer, more resilient Europe.
The European Defence Agency Makeathon is a high-impact engineering challenge focused on designing and testing autonomous ground systems for real-world defence and support scenarios. It’s where technical innovation meets operational relevance – uniting emerging talent with experienced professionals to address the evolving needs of European security.
Organised in collaboration with the European Defence Agency, the Makeathon brings together multidisciplinary teams from across Europe: engineers, researchers, and tech enthusiasts working side by side to develop functional prototypes that support logistics, field mobility, and reconnaissance operations in complex environments.
The European Space Foundation plays a key role in shaping the challenge – from preparing technical guidelines to designing realistic testing grounds and overseeing independent evaluation. Our focus is on enabling practical, hands-on collaboration between academia, industry, and institutional partners.
Through this initiative, ESF continues to deliver on its mission to bridge space innovation with societal need – applying our expertise to help build a more resilient, prepared, and technologically advanced Europe.