Upcoming Events:23 September 2026 - 24 September 2026
Location:
About the Event
Clear your diaries: the adults in the autonomous vehicle room are reconvening. The Autonomous Main Event 2026 is descending upon Vienna, Austria—and the digital ether—from September 23-24, 2026. This isn’t just another trade show full of shiny vaporware and empty promises; it’s the definitive summit where the industry’s heavy hitters, top-tier engineers, and regulators gather to tackle the thorny challenges of making self-driving systems actually fit for public roads.
Staged within the opulent halls of the Hofburg Imperial Palace, this hybrid event brings together the linchpins of the global mobility ecosystem. The 2026 theme, “Building Trust for Autonomy to Scale,” is industry-speak for a much simpler question: how do we convince the public and the powers-that-be that these machines won’t go rogue? Established by TTTech Auto, The Autonomous has evolved into the most critical forum for the kind of cross-industry legwork required to hammer out global safety standards.
For anyone with a professional stake in the future of transport—be it car manufacturers (OEMs), Tier-1 suppliers, robotics outfits, or software architects—this is the one. Expect actionable takeaways from technical deep-dives, strategic keynotes, and panels designed to drag the industry out of the lab and into real-world, scalable deployment.
Program Highlights
While the full agenda remains under wraps for now, the event is laser-focused on cracking the most stubborn nuts in autonomous tech. If previous years are anything to go by, expect a masterclass in the frameworks needed for mass adoption. The 2024 edition was a record-breaker, drawing over 580 delegates from more than 250 companies.
Key themes for 2026 are set to include:
- Safety, Security, and Robustness: Moving beyond simple redundancy to build architectures that are genuinely bulletproof.
- AI and Software-Defined Autonomy: Navigating the “black box” of AI in safety-critical systems, from how a car “sees” to how it decides to brake.
- Regulatory Roadmaps: A frank debate on the global harmonisation of laws needed to get Level 3 and Level 4 systems onto the tarmac legally.
- Ecosystem Collaboration: Building global reference solutions that everyone can use—because competing on safety is a race to the bottom that no one wins.
- From Saloons to Semis: Exploring the different commercial hurdles for passenger cars versus autonomous logistics and trucking.
Featured Speakers
The Autonomous consistently pulls a C-suite and expert crowd that you simply won’t find at your average tech expo. While the 2026 roster is still being finalised, the pedigree of past speakers speaks for itself.
Previous editions have featured industry titans such as:
- Nikolai Setzer, CEO of Continental
- Lars Reger, CTO at NXP Semiconductors
- Mathias Pillin, CTO of Bosch Mobility
- Shai Shalev-Shwartz, CTO of Mobileye
- Sterling Anderson, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Aurora
- Ricky Hudi, Chairman of The Autonomous and former EVP at Audi AG
This is a “who’s who” of the people actually shipping the code and hardware that will define how we move for the next century.
Schedule Outline
The final programme will be released as we get closer to the date. However, attendees should prepare for a high-octane two-day schedule based on the successful format of previous summits.
Day 1 - September 23, 2026
- Morning: Registration, a proper coffee and a chinwag, followed by opening salvos from industry legends.
- Midday: Deep-dive panels on end-to-end architecture and the ethics of AI safety.
- Afternoon: Parallel technical workshops and breakout sessions for those who want to get into the weeds.
- Evening: A networking reception amidst the grand architecture of the Hofburg Palace.
Day 2 - September 24, 2026
- Morning: Strategic keynotes on the shifting sands of regulation, plus a “Disruptors’ Track” for the startups shaking things up.
- Midday: Fireside chats and cross-sector panels covering everything from autonomous trucking to robotaxis.
- Afternoon: Interactive roundtables and the latest findings from The Autonomous Working Groups.
- Late Afternoon: Closing remarks and a final look at the road ahead.
Registration
If you’re serious about the future of mobility, this is a non-negotiable entry in your calendar. Dithering is the enemy of progress—and your budget.
- Tickets: Super Early Bird rates are currently live for both in-person and virtual attendance.
- Link: Secure your place by registering on the official site: Register Now
Registration grants you full access to all keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions, along with prime networking opportunities. In-person guests will also enjoy the full hospitality of one of Vienna’s most historic venues. For any specific queries, give the organisers a shout at [email protected].
