SYMPOSIUM
2026
The Symposium on Urban Mobility Challenges returns in 2026 to explore one of the most transformative forces shaping transport today: Data & AI: Unlocking the Future of the Automotive Sector and Urban Mobility.
Vehicles are becoming software-defined, data-generating machines, and cities are turning into dense networks of sensors, services and decisions. Artificial intelligence now sits at the intersection of both worlds: it powers the development of connected and automated vehicles, optimises traffic and transport in real time, and gives public administrations new tools to plan, evaluate and govern the automotive landscape.
This year's edition will examine how data and AI are reshaping the automotive value chain, and how the interaction between ecosystems (academic, industry and city) through shared digital platforms enables better alignment across all of them. When research institutions, companies and public administrations work on common data and AI platforms, they can coordinate decisions, share evidence and deploy these technologies in real urban contexts more effectively, ensuring that AI-driven automotive innovation is efficient, sustainable and trustworthy.
Bringing together stakeholders from research, industry and public administration, the symposium will once again offer a space for reflection and debate, sparking a conversation on how data and intelligence can unlock a better automotive future for all.
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AGENDA
08:45 - 09:00h: Registration
09:00 - 09:15h: Opening Session
Dr. Prof. Miquel Estrada, Academic Director of CARNET (UPC)
Santiago Hermida, Head of Innovation & Benchmarking & Strategy (SEAT)
Alexander Siebeneich, Industrial Director of CARNET (VW GI)
09:15 - 09:45h: Keynote Speech
Karen Vancluysen, Secretary general (POLIS Network) - Belgium
09:45 - 10:45h: Roundtable 1 - Industry and Data from the inside
Moderator:
Dr Prof. Thomas Vietor, Full Professor (Technical University of Braunschweig-NFF) - Germany
Speakers:
Dr. Bjorn Strasdat, Mobility Systems & Powertrain Solutions Manager (VW GI) - Germany
Isabel García Frontera, General Manager (FREENOW) - Spain
David Pardos, Automotive & Mobility Manager (EURECAT) - Spain
10:45 - 11:30h: Coffee break
11:30 - 12:30h: Roundtable 2 - Data & AI for Public Decisions
Moderator:
TBD, (Barcelona City Council) - Spain
Speakers:
Tobias Brzoskowski, Managing Director (New Mobility Solutions Hamburg) - Germany
TBD, (Madrid City Council) - Spain
TBD, (Coventry City Council) - UK
12:30 - 13:30h: Roundtable 3 - Innovating Across Ecosystems
Moderator:
Dr Prof. Jasmina Berbegal, Full Professor (Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya) - Spain
Speakers:
Dr. Eleni Anoyrkati, Operations and Development Manager (Coventry University) - UK
TBD, (EIT Urban Mobility) - Spain
Milena Vuckovic, Business Development & Sales Director Europe (NEXXIOT) Serbia
13:30 - 14:00h: Closure
Miguel Ángel Fernández, Digital Innovation Manager (Telefónica)
Dr. Jordi Berenguer, Vice-rector for Transfer, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (UPC)
LOCATION
Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria de Camins, Canals i Ports de Barcelona,
C/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Edifici C2, Sala d'Actes Campus Nord - Edifici C2 Camins
ORGANIZERS & CO-FOUNDERS
