Robots: from the air to the ground, from Silicon Valley to Sweden

Globhe with the project Next level GDCP, is one of 31 project that have received funding from Vinnova through Advanced digitalisation, with a focus on building innovation collaborations with the US in AI, digital infrastructure and cybersecurity. Globhe started as a global company from day one, and now collects reality data with drones for digital twins and AI analysis of our world in 149 countries. I previously lived in the US for five years and Globhe today has both American customers, investors and partners. The Vinnova project in the spring of 2026 will enable us to take these collaborations to the next level on site in California. I have now been here for ten days and a lot is happening. Fast. Here we have the second difference, the pace.

I’m sitting at lunch with Karin, our senior advisor in AI and robotics based in Bay Area. She wonders what data requests Globhe has been getting into our platform lately. I tell her that “city mapping” is hot. Karin nods, there’s a lot happening on that front now, not least as cities are being mapped for routes for autonomous cars, just as a robotaxi drives past us.

The next day, Jensen Huang steps onto NVIDIA's keynote stage in SAP Arena. Usually filled with San Jose Sharks hockey enthusiasts. The arena is at least as full today, with at least as many enthusiasts. Robots are everywhere, as are agents and not least the interaction between them. Structured reality data is needed. I nod and take notes. Almost every panel returns to the same topic. A lot is happening now, quickly.

In the evening I visit the Swedish residence at the invitation of Consul General Cecilia Ekholm on the occasion of Minister of Civil Affairs Erik Slottners's visit to San Francisco. We discuss Sweden's new AI strategy, and I meet a new potential customer for Globhe. We meet quickly afterwards at a coffee shop to take action. A lot happens at the coffee shops here. At another one I meet one of Globhe's partners. We are testing a new API integration between our platforms. The first test failed. Now 24 hours later it seems to work.

There is a lot that can go wrong, but a fear that it can go wrong should never stop the opportunities to do it right. I Sverige we are good at thinking about the risks early. In the best case, it can be our competitive advantage. In the worst case, our downfall. A combination of Swedish risk awareness, and American think big, takes both tech companies and our world forward. I Sverige Globhe often hears that we think too big. After the days here, I realize that we think too small. Towards the next level!