EUCAD 2026: what's next for CCAM, making innovation matter

For years, the CCAM community has been pushing the boundaries of technology through research, testing and large-scale activities. Demonstrations became more sophisticated, algorithms more capable, connectivity more reliable. At EUCAD Symposium 2026, however, a different question dominated the conversation:

What will it take to make CCAM part of everyday mobility?

This shift in perspective was visible across discussions in Geneva. The debate is no longer centred on whether automated mobility is technically feasible. Increasingly, the focus is on deployment, governance, public acceptance, infrastructure readiness and the conditions needed to bring innovative solutions from controlled environments into real-world operation.

As a co-organiser of EUCAD 2026, the CCAM Partnership was proud to help create a space for these conversations across the full diversity of Europe’s CCAM ecosystem, from vehicle manufacturers and technology developers to cities, transport operators, regulators and researchers.

What made this year’s discussions particularly interesting was their strong focus on deployment rather than technology development alone.

Across sessions and panel discussions, in which representatives from our Partnership were actively involved, participants challenged the community to move beyond the pilot mindset. Europe has built a strong foundation of CCAM research and innovation, yet one question repeatedly emerged throughout the Symposium: why have so few successful pilots translated into widely available mobility services? The message was clear. The challenge is not only technological.

Developing advanced automated driving systems is only one part of the equation. Equally important are regulatory certainty, public procurement, viable business models, user trust and the ability to integrate new services into existing mobility systems.

Several discussions explored how automated mobility services can evolve from isolated demonstrations into reliable, long-term operations. While demand exists, it often remains fragmented. The next phase therefore requires bringing together technology providers, operators, public authorities and users around common frameworks and shared objectives.

The Symposium tackled some of the most pressing topics facing the sector today: the implementation of emerging international regulatory frameworks, the role of artificial intelligence in automated mobility, the digital infrastructure required to support deployment, and the integration of CCAM solutions into urban mobility systems. A particularly important dimension was the collaboration with UNECE, reinforcing the link between European research and innovation efforts and the global regulatory developments that will shape the future deployment of automated driving systems.

One of the strongest messages from Geneva was that Europe does not necessarily need another pilot or another standalone tool. Instead, the focus should be on connecting, scaling and operationalising what has already been developed. The discussion is shifting from creating individual solutions to building the ecosystems, partnerships and governance structures that allow them to thrive.

The Symposium also highlighted the importance of demonstrating value beyond the technology itself. How can CCAM improve accessibility? Support regions with limited transport options? Reduce congestion? Create new mobility opportunities for underserved communities? These questions featured prominently throughout the event.

These conversations connect directly to the mission of the CCAM Partnership. Many of the topics debated in Geneva reflected key Partnership priorities: trustworthy AI, regulatory alignment, digital infrastructure, urban deployment and stronger collaboration across the mobility ecosystem.

Another encouraging message was that Europe is increasingly speaking with a common voice. While challenges remain, stakeholders share a clearer understanding of what comes next and a growing recognition that the benefits of CCAM must be communicated more effectively if society is to fully embrace the transition.

What emerged over the two days was a sense that Europe is entering a more mature phase of the CCAM journey.

The question is no longer: “What can automated vehicles do?”
The question is: “How do we ensure they create value for society?”

If Geneva showed us anything, it is that the conversation around CCAM is evolving. Europe has spent years proving that the technology works. Now the challenge is making it work at scale, for people, cities, businesses and society. And Europe – and CCAM Partnership – are ready to take that next step.