Keynote Q&A with US self-driving pioneer Corey Clothier
As co-founder of ARIBO AV, and Global Automated Mobility Lead at Arcadis, Corey Clothier is one of the world’s most experienced and respected self-driving consultants.
With the CAM Pathfinder programme designed to move the UK from R&D to commercialisation at pace, who better to advise on a winning approach.
What is ARIBO and how did it get started?
ARIBO is a small but mighty team helping airports, cities, and campuses of all kinds deploy autonomous vehicles. We launched the company to close the gap between flashy AV demos and the grounded reality of safe, scalable deployments.
I’ve spent 16+ years bringing brilliant teams together to make autonomous innovation real. We’ve supported over 70 AV projects globally — from airlines and airfields to smart cities and defense sites. ARIBO is also a family firm. Our COO, Katie Clothier, has led AV programs for more than 11 years.
You call yourselves AV integrators. What does that really mean?
We’re the bridge. AVs don’t deploy themselves. They need integration with infrastructure, operational protocols, safety frameworks, and the right people and systems. Sometimes they even need new digital or physical infrastructure. We build the ecosystem that makes autonomy operational. It’s a team sport, and we’re proud to be the glue.
What does this work look like in practice?
One major project involves supporting a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funded demo that integrates: 1) Autonomous bots for security; 2) Foreign Object Damage (FOD) removal; and 3) Grass maintenance at a mid-sized US airport.
All three come together under a single command-and-control system, aligned with the core safety management system. We’re also leading the AV strategy for a large US airport, helping leadership define use cases and developing a phased roadmap.
Those are two big ones, but an important ingredient in ARIBO’s success is the diversity of our partners. From amusement park logistics and forestry trucking to automated transit networks, the learning flows both ways. We are constantly applying and sharing best practices to build a larger, safer and smarter AV ecosystem for everyone.
What advice would you give to organisations just starting out in self-driving?
Start small, but start smart. Our AV101 program gives leaders a structured, hands-on way to understand the tech, assess readiness, and map a realistic path forward. For more developed projects, AV Pathfinder delivers deeper feasibility and Return on Investment (ROI) analysis. Both help leaders take action with confidence.
What excites you most about where this industry is headed?
Autonomy is no longer sci-fi – it’s happening now in airports, logistics, transit, and beyond. If done right, it solves workforce gaps, improves safety, and modernises critical systems. But it only works when developers, operators, planners, and safety experts come together. We love being the ones who help make that happen.
We’ve built a trusted team that’s high-impact, mission-driven, and agile – a tight crew of engineers, safety pros, and program leads. With decades of experience, we help our clients turn autonomy from theory into reality.
