A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the fourth annual Cars of the Future Self-Driving Industry Awards the biggest and best yet!
Supported by prestigious partners Zenzic, the ABI, Ava and Chip, BSI, ITS UK, PAVE UK, PAVE Europe, and techUK, along with charity partner Technology Books for Children, the Self-Driving Industry Awards 2026 brought together inspirational global leaders, displayed amazing vehicles, and delivered a regional first by putting an autonomous shuttle on road in Kent.
Special thanks to Councillor Rob Yates, who presented the Project of the Year award to Ohmio UK, and Councillor Leo Britcher, the Mayor of Margate, who presented the flagship Vehicle of the Year award to the Westwell Q-Truck at Port of Felixstowe, the first industrial vehicle to win the headline prize.
Check out this highlights reel from the presentation ceremony at the Turner Contemporary on Friday 16 October 2026…
For more on #sdia26 – including a full list of winners – please click here
Self-Driving Media Coverage
Here’s some selected media coverage of #sdia26. It started early with the on-road testing of the Ohmio shuttle going viral on socials. The BBC story then became the top result for “self-driving vehicle” on Google.
“Driverless shuttle bus trial on Margate road” BBC
“People in Margate have had a glimpse into the future of seaside travel” BBC Sounds
“Westwell Q-Truck at Port of Felixstowe wins Vehicle of the Year” Zenzic
“Aurrigo’s David Keene named Industry Legend” The Manufacturer
Driverless vehicle Ohmio LIFT takes to the road in Margate, making Kent history Kent Online
AppyWay wins V2X Award at Self-Driving Industry Awards 2026 Traffic Technology Today
Westwell Q-Truck at Port of Felixstowe wins Vehicle of the Year Highways News
Ohmio Lift shuttle carries passengers from Margate Station to Turner Contemporary Silicon
Margate has become the first town in Kent to allow a driverless shuttle BBC Kent on Insta
Driverless shuttle takes to the road in Kent KentOnline News on Facebook
Road testing in Margate for Ohmio LIFT self-driving shuttle Isle of Thanet News
![[L-R] Adam Godbold, Senior Manager - Automated Ops & Transformation at Port of Felixstowe, with the Mayor of Margate, Councillor Leo Britcher, and Aaron Cavanagh, Senior Manager - Programme Delivery & Efficiency at Port of Felixstowe, with the 2026 Self-Driving Vehicle of the Year Award](https://carsofthefuture.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/SDIA26_VOTY_1320-1-1024x683.png)
You can also check out highlights from previous years – 2025, 2024, 2023
Coming Soon…
The Awards will return in 2027 to once again celebrate excellence in automated mobility, in the UK and internationally.
