Speaker Profiles

Global Managing Partner for Sectors,
Hogan Lovells

Topic: Towards autonomous driving in Europe – acceptance, regulation and safety  

Dr Patrick Ayad and Dr Sebastian Polly provide an overview of the current challenges and opportunities surrounding the introduction of autonomous vehicles in Europe. They focus in particular on regulatory frameworks, approvals and product safety, as well as public acceptance and political trends relating to autonomous vehicles.  

Professor of Business Law at Frankfurt UAS
Of Counsel, Bird & Bird LLP, Frankfurt am Main

Topic: The new EU Product Liability Directive – Increased liability for manufacturers of autonomous vehicles and their suppliers.

The new EU Product Liability Directive, which must be transposed into national law by EU Member States by 9 December 2026, imposes significantly stricter liability requirements on manufacturers of autonomous vehicles and their suppliers. It extends the definition of a product to include software and AI systems, covers the entire life cycle of a vehicle and introduces significant evidence relief in favour of injured parties. This has far-reaching consequences for the entire automotive value chain and business models in the automotive industry. The presentation highlights the future increases in liability, discusses necessary compliance measures and offers practical recommendations for manufacturers and suppliers in the age of autonomous driving.

President of the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt
Chairman of the UNECE GRVA Working Group on Automated, Autonomous and Connected Driving

Topic: Current approaches to the automation of road transport – opportunities and challenges

The current changes in the automotive industry are enormous, not only in terms of the drive system transition, but also with regard to the ongoing transformation in the field of vehicle automation. Exciting developments and trials are taking place at a rapid pace around the world, which will contribute to new opportunities for changing mobility in road traffic. The presentation highlights how individual mobility, public transport and logistics influence each other in an increasingly connected system, shows the current market situation in a global comparison, classifies the regulatory framework for assistance and automation systems, and describes the status of activities in Germany relating to the development, testing and introduction of autonomous vehicles.

Project Manager in Portfolio Management and Strategy Development,
New Mobility Solutions Hamburg GmbH 

Topic: Teleoperation and Teleassistance – the Next Stages of Remote Support

Autonomous on‑demand mobility operates in the area between “robotaxis” and public transport – and could fundamentally transform urban mobility. In her presentation, Dr. Lea Decker illustrates the opportunities and challenges for integrating autonomous on‑demand mobility into existing transport systems and how the path from pilot projects to large‑scale deployment can be shaped.

Senior Academic Councelor 

Topic: Teleoperation and Teleassistance – the Next Stages of Remote Support

New methods of teleoperation and teleassistance expand the field of application of automated mobility and refine the transition of responsibility between system and human.
The presentation addresses the challenges of teleoperation and introduces current teleoperation and teleassistance concepts from research and practice. Finally, the issue of responsibility and liability is discussed.

Head of Regulatory Law
Volkswagen AG

“Autonomous vehicles will fundamentally reshape the mobility of tomorrow – they open new perspectives for social participation, safety, and sustainability. This development calls upon us to proactively and responsibly shape the legal framework – always in dialogue with technology, society, and regulation.”

Institute for Automotive Engineering,
Braunschweig University of Technology

Topic: Rules for the Connected Vehicle – Standards as the Key to the Future of Mobility

Early involvement of regulatory authorities, legislators, and operators is crucial to define clear legal frameworks and technical requirements for connected automated driving. This enables alignment of standards with technological developments, reduces innovation barriers, and ensures safe, practical, and socially accepted technical implementation of automated and connected driving.

Head of the Institute for Automotive Engineering,
Braunschweig University of Technology (IfF)

The development of automated driving functions requires a deep understanding of how technical systems interact under real‑world conditions. What matters is not the performance of individual components, but the ability of the overall system to handle complex traffic situations consistently and predictably. Progress emerges where models and validation methods accurately capture real dynamics and transparently reveal their limitations.
The implementation of technical innovations is closely linked to questions of safety assurance, homologation, and approval for regular operation – an area in which Germany plays a pioneering role with regard to legal frameworks.
 

Managing Director
triverra GmbH

Topic: International Cooperation – Key to Rapid Market Development for Autonomous Mobility Services

The current regulatory situation in Germany and Europe is unsatisfactory and hinders the introduction of autonomous mobility solutions: there is no coordination of national regulations, and the lack of European legislation impedes the development of a common internal market.
Which instruments do we have to overcome these obstacles? Can international cooperation teach us how to bring our future mobility systems to market more quickly?

Senior Consultant
LawCom.Institute GmbH

Topic: Requirements of the EU AI Act 2024/1689 for AI Systems in Motor Vehicles

Automated driving is impossible without AI systems. The EU AI Act imposes new requirements on these systems. It is necessary to look closely at how these requirements can be fulfilled and how compliance can be demonstrated in vehicle approval procedures.

Designated Head of the Working Group “Metrology for Connected Mobility”
Physikalisch‑Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)

Topic: Autonomous Driving? But Safely! – Safety Evidence in Development and Approval from a Metrological Perspective

Even four years after the Autonomous Driving Act came into force, obtaining approval for autonomous vehicles according to a “European canon of values” regarding data protection and vehicle safety remains a hurdle on the path to widespread deployment.
Challenges and opportunities for approvals based on consistent, traceable, and simultaneously faster and more efficient safety evidence in both real and virtual environments are examined from the perspective of metrology.

Professor of Public Law, Technology Law, and Law of Digitalization
Head of the Research Center for Mobility Law
Braunschweig University of Technology

“The mobility of tomorrow is connected and autonomous. We must redesign our cities and infrastructures and rethink the way we plan our routes.”

Global Co-Head Automotive and Mobility Sector, 
Hogan Lovells 

Topic: On the Road to Autonomous Driving in Europe – Acceptance, Regulation, and Safety

Dr. Sebastian Polly and Dr. Patrick Ayad provide an overview of the current challenges and opportunities related to the introduction of autonomous vehicles in Europe. A particular focus is placed on regulatory frameworks, approvals, product safety, public acceptance, and political trends regarding autonomous vehicles. 

Professor of Automotive Engineering, 
Dresden University of Technology
Spokesperson, Smart Mobility Lab
Spokesperson, SCART – Safety of Connected and Automated Road Traffic

Topic: SCART – An Independent Institution for Scenario‑Based Type Approval in Europe

For the validation and approval of automation functions, unified scenarios and criteria are required that reflect risk events representatively and comprehensively. SCART (Safety of Connected and Automated Road Traffic) forms an independent network in which data, methods, and test infrastructures are collaboratively combined.
Scenarios, pass/fail criteria, and quality assurance of simulation models are centrally provided for all stakeholders for virtual, scenario‑based homologation.

Key elements:

• SCART as an independent stakeholder network for virtual, scenario‑based homologation
• “Dresden Method” for scenario generation and method selection
• The Dresden Driving Simulator as a central tool
• Smart Mobility Lab as a prototype test environment

Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition, 
City of Hamburg

“With the Autonomous Mobility & Law Summit 2026, we are continuing Hamburg’s success story of international mobility congresses. For the first time, we are not only discussing technologies or visions, but the entire chain – from the vehicle to the legal framework to operations in our cities. This once again makes Hamburg a driver of mobility transformation in Europe.”

POSER SPIETH WOLFERS & PARTNERS 
Attorneys, Berlin

Topic: EU‑Wide Type Approval for Autonomous Driving: What Is Possible in Europe?

It is often said: the European market is difficult for robotaxis – mainly because of varying national regulations on autonomous driving, unlike in the U.S., China, or Abu Dhabi. But is this really true? Could an EU type approval allow robotaxis to operate in all member states? What is possible with an EU type approval in Europe? What is not?

Director Institute for Marketing and Innovation

Topic: Business Models in the Context of Automated Driving

What remains, what becomes new? The technological revolution of automated driving will transform existing business models and enable new ones. The presentation focuses on key areas of value proposition, value creation, and revenue models, illustrating potential changes arising through automated driving.

Statement: The technology of automated driving puts existing business models to the test. The value proposition of mobility will change significantly – business models that are inefficient today will receive an economic boost.