Vehicle tech was in the driving seat at MOVE 2026 in London this week, with the annual mobility conference shifting focus this year to offer up an emphasis the coming autonomy wave, with cybersecurity and the software defined vehicle (SDV) also major areas for attention.
Held once more at ExCeL from 17th-18th June, MOVE is promoted as the world’s number one converged mobility event. Alongside the automotive-specific repositioning, the show also covers mobility as a service (MaaS), micromobility, energy and charging and battery tech, with a firm eye on regulation, intelligent infrastructure and connectivity.
Major automotive names sponsoring MOVE 2026 included Stellantis, Bosch Mobility Solutions , Honda Xcelerator Ventures and Thatcham Research. Exhibitors familiar to CAT readers included Skoda X and Scania, with a number of UK national and international bodies and authorities taking part too alongside a large number of technology companies working across the mobility space.
Around 2,000 visitors were able to hear from 250 speakers across 16 stages, with attendees also able to find out more from 250 companies and organisations from across the transport spectrum in the exhibition.
Organisations taking part included the SMMT, Department for Transport (DfT), British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA). Alongside established organisations, 200 new companies were given a showcase in the Start-up Village.
Huge potential
MOVE 26 saw a keynote address from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Local Transport Simon Lightwood, who reflected on the potential impact of autonomous vehicles: “Automated passenger services have huge potential to make transport more inclusive, and offer independence to people who struggle to access traditional transport through age, disability or way they live. Because accessibility benefits everyone, all passengers could enjoy the prospect of more consistent, dependable journeys.”
After this, sessions on autonomous vehicles, battery tech, and energy and charging were drawing visitors, with more on the software defined vehicle and fleet management in the mix. Presentations came from a wide array of speakers and panels, with VMs like JLR, Smart, BMW, Ford, Hyundai Connected Mobility, Mitsubishi, Toyota Connected and Renault taking part across the speaker programme, alongside countless companies that exist in the future mobility space.
Geely Auto President ECRI Xiaojuan Wang offered up the manufacturer’s vision for software-defined vehicles in a connected world.
Meanwhile, a panel featuring Ferrari Software Engineering Senior Director Christophe Keraudren and Javier de la Pena, Head of Corporate Strategy at Woven By Toyota, discussed how to build scalable, differentiated, and secure automotive operating systems. This was immediately followed by a session looking at how to integrate EVs as utility-grade energy assets and revenue streams, featuring Hyundai Connected Mobility’s Connected Car Services and Charging Director Guido Gehlen and Enterprise Mobility Director James Stevenson.
EV charging station provider Fastned were also speaking to the press about their ongoing pan-European roll-out of major city charging centres. The company is in the process of rolling out a 25-site network for London, with key facilities at Hatton Cross and Hanger Lane, with more on the way.
Twice as safe
In the exhibition, Stellantis showed off a Level 4-ready driverless robotaxi, based on a Vauxhall Vivaro platform which is being trialled by the likes of Wayve and Bolt. On the other side of the stand, a kitted out Jeep Compass demonstrated the benefits of 5G connectivity over satellite.
Meanwhile, Bosch was looking to support car rental companies via fleet management and ridecare services. This included a key focus on the stand for a device that could detect smoking or vaping in a vehicle, as well as monitoring driving style.
Support was a key message in the seminar programme too. One session, Strategic Synergie, looked at how collaboration between providers is key for vehicle autonomy to move to the next level. The panel included figures from major sector names like Bolt and WeRide, and was hosted by Cars of the Future’s Neil Kennett. Also on the panel was former Prime Minister of Estonia Taavi Roivas, who is now Chairman at Estonian autonomous and hydrogen-powered vehicle manufacturer Auve Tech. On what vehicle autonomy can offer, he said: “It is twice as safe as a human driver; why not use it?”
MOVE will return to London on 16th -17th June 2027. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic MOVE America is taking place 23rd-24th September 2026 in Huntingdon Point, Detroit.
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