UK self-driving takes centre stage at MOVE 2025
The world’s #1 converged mobility event returned to London’s Excel on 18-19 June, with UK self-driving taking centre stage, quite literally.
The show opened with a speech by Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood MP. Hot on the heels of the ITS UK event the previous day, she set the tone for another strong UK self-driving performance, saying: “By 2027, we will have one of the most robust safety frameworks for self-driving in the world.”
If MOVE 2023 was all about the environment, and 2024 was a victory for EV charging, this was self-driving’s year, illustrated by the headline chat on the main stage featuring Kaity Fischer, VP of Commercial and Fleet Operations at Wayve, in discussion with yours truly.
The subject was “Embodied AI and the future of mobility” so naturally we started with Wayve’s AI Driver – how it differs from other systems, how it adapts to new environments without prior exposure, how most OEMs shunned it until quite recently, and why global brands like Nissan and Uber and now very much on-board.
Earlier, Lukas Neckermann, of PAVE Europe, had hosted a high-profile keynote on “The age of autonomous” featuring Pierre Pomper of Einride, Kathy Winter of May Mobility, Helen Pan of Baidu, and Gavin Jackson of Oxa.
It wasn’t just the prestigious slots either. Self-driving featured prominently throughout, across multiple theatres, from the biggest stands to the Start-up Village.
Self-driving & 5G
Skipping to the end, the final panel on day two was titled: Autonomous vehicles and 5G – how to ensure reliable, low-latency connectivity for driverless transport.
Also moderated by my good self, it featured Sunil Budhdeo, Transport Innovation Manager at Coventry City Council, Fabrizio de Paolis, 5G & 6G Manager at the European Space Agency, and Alex Walling, Head of Business Development for Network as Code at Nokia.
We largely focused on the safety-critical requirements for self-driving passenger vehicles, whether that’s automated driving features in privately-owned cars, robotaxis or public transport shuttles.
Starting with satellite connectivity and the role of international standards, we moved into network slicing and programmable services – how 5G networks can be more than just a pipeline – before finishing on collaborative working, how local authorities, the DfT, Ofcom and industry partners must come together to maximise the benefits of this cutting-edge tech.
Probably the most in-demand demonstration of the entire event was the driving rig on the Nokia stand – not a simulator but real-time, real-life remote operation – the chance to drive an actual car on a closed road in Estonia from a chair in an exhibition hall in Docklands. Impressive, engaging, and one in the eye for anyone doubting the viability of this important capability.
In other news, it was great to hear from 2023 Self-Driving Industry Award winner Thomas Sors that Beam Connectivity are now operating in UK airports, from Ahmed Abdelazim that Sensible 4’s extreme weather expertise is becoming more widely appreciated, and from Martin Kahl that influential groups like FISITA are giving self-driving ever more attention.
Our reigning champions continue to go from strength-to-strength too, with Jose Paris updating us on the uptake of Streetscope’s Collision Hazard Measure, and Deniz Cetin confirming that Karsan are operating autonomously in ever more locations worldwide.
Other highlights
Elsewhere, there were plenty of non-self-driving attractions – from active travel solutions to mechanical wonders like the Neitem tilt technology, which dramatically reduces the risk of rollover in three-wheelers.
Thanks to Charlotte Jones of the Motability Foundation for explaining the logic behind a host of clever features in their new concept vehicle – notably improved access, more storage and the innovative utility bar.
We must also mention Dr Clare Mutzenich’s interview with Ali Russell, Managing Director of Extreme H, the world’s first hydrogen-powered off-road racing series.
We saw the car at a recent event at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium but were not aware of the groundbreaking approach – 50/50 male female driving teams with equal time behind the wheel, closing the racing opportunity gender gap and attracting a far more diverse audience than the likes of F1 and Nascar.
What else? Oh yes, we gave out loads of copies of the new Summer 2025 Cars of the Future magazine. The feedback was amazing, to the extent that we’re seriously considering becoming regular printers!
Congrats to Grace, Mate, Maya and the whole Terrapinn team for another fantastic event, and kudos to Somdip Dey for being the snappiest dresser at the MOVE Groove afterparty.
MOVE will be back in London next year, on 17-18 June 2026.
