That Croatia is no longer just an observer in the race for a technological future is confirmed by domestic experts and companies actively participating in shaping the global AI market. From autonomous robots in Fortune 500 company warehouses to hardware solutions pushing the boundaries of FPV technology, innovations developed in Croatia are becoming an important part of the global tech ecosystem.
At AI.Weekend, taking place as part of Weekend.18 in Rovinj from September 18-21, some of the key figures of Croatia’s AI scene will gather – those who, through their knowledge, ideas, and entrepreneurial spirit, have managed to build companies that compete with global leaders.
Croatia’s Factory of Machine Vision
One of the most striking examples of domestic technological excellence is Orqa, headquartered in Osijek, which began its development with sophisticated FPV goggles – a device that gives users the experience of flying from a drone’s perspective. While at first glance this appears to be a product for enthusiasts and professionals in FPV flying, the technology behind Orqa transcends hobby boundaries.
This company is developing an entire technological ecosystem that combines advanced hardware, computer vision, and artificial intelligence integration into the user experience. Their products find applications in industry, security missions, and even in scientific research of inaccessible areas. Export to global markets and growing international community interest confirm that solutions competitive with the world’s biggest players are being developed in Croatia.
Robots Changing Industrial Daily Life
On the other hand, Zagreb-based company Gideon is bringing revolution to logistics and production processes through the development of autonomous mobile robots. Equipped with computer vision, neural networks, and advanced AI algorithms, Gideon’s robots are capable of independently navigating complex warehouse spaces, recognizing obstacles, making real-time decisions, and optimizing daily logistics tasks.
The company’s focus isn’t just on automation, but on creating an intelligent system that predicts failures, increases safety, and enables greater efficiency without work interruptions. Although they work with some of the world’s largest logistics companies, product development remains in Croatia, further strengthening the country’s position as a source of high-tech innovations.
AI.Weekend as a Bridge Between Knowledge and Market
Connecting industry, science, and innovation is key to the further development of Croatia’s AI sector. This is precisely the role taken on by AI.Weekend, a festival conceived not only as a place for exchanging ideas, but also as a platform for collaboration between startups, corporations, researchers, and public policy creators. The program includes panels, lectures, and workshops covering all aspects of artificial intelligence development – from hardware solutions and algorithms to ethics and regulation.
One of the key events will be a panel featuring Srđan Kovačević, CEO and co-founder of Orqa, and Josip Ćesić, CEO and co-founder of Gideon, who will present concrete examples from their companies.
This isn’t just an event for experts – it’s a window into a future where Croatia has the potential to become a technological leader in the region and beyond!
More information about AI.Weekend can be found on our official festival website, as well as on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook profiles.
