Future Vehicle Technology Symposium 2026

Accelerating the future of mobility – How are we making it happen?

The transport sector is rapidly transitioning and innovating towards cleaner, more equitable and exciting futures. Join experts and innovators from across Imperial and industry to discuss future vehicle technologies applicable to road, off-road, maritime, and aerospace sectors.

This event is for technology experts and practitioners in industry & government, at the forefront of research and innovation in transport and mobility. The key purpose is research collaboration. We will be highlighting research expertise at Imperial, as well as holding discussion and networking spaces.

The event is powered by Imperial’s Vehicle Futures Hub and Imperial Enterprise.

What you’ll explore?

This event will include talks, sessions, and panels and networking opportunities. The four technical sessions are detailed below. Discover & meet experts that are advancing research in government, industry and academia through fundamental science, advanced modelling, and experimental research to product innovation.

**** Speakers announced!

Session 1: Future of Maritime

This session will explore the key challenges and opportunities in future of maritime technologies, such as digital autonomy, future fuels, nuclear propulsion, quantum navigation and technoeconomic design.

Confirmed speakers and panellists include:

• Panagiotis Angeloudis, Prof. of Transport Systems and Logistics, Imperial College London
• Nikolas Pyrgiotis, Senior Vice President at Signal Technology Ventures
• Nikos Kakalis, Global Bulk Carrier Segment Director, Lloyds Register
• Dr. Joseph Cotter, Dept of Physics, Imperial College London
• Mike Bluck, Prof. of Nuclear Engineering, Imperial College London
• Bertie Ratsey – Business Development Lead, ZeroUSV

Session 2: Future Fuels, Energy and Emissions

This session will explore the key challenges and opportunities facing the fuel transition for heavy duty, maritime and aviation industries maritime technologies.

Confirmed speakers and panellists include:

• Alex Taylor, Professor of Engineering, Imperial College London
• Doug McKiernan, CTO of Zero Petroleum
• Ifan Stephens, Professor of Electrochemistry, Imperial College London
• Cait Hewitt, Policy Officer, Grantham Institute for Climate Change and Environment
• Shaun White, UK Marine Engineering Director, RINA
• Helen Brocklehurt, Senior Explosive Atmospheres Engineer, Health and Safety Executive

Session 3: Materials & Manufacturing Technologies for Future Sustainable Vehicles

This session will explore the key challenges and opportunities facing the materials and manufacturing technologies for sustainable future vehicles, particularly focusing on the steel and aluminium industries.

Confirmed speakers and panellists include:

• Liliang Wang, Professor in Sustainable Manufacturing, Imperial College London
• Nick Silk, Head of Product Development, Tata Steel UK
• Kamal Rajput, Strategic Business Development Lead, Tata Steel UK
• Thorolf Schulte, R&D Centre Manager, Novelis Switzerland
• Nan Li, Reader in Lightweight Design and Manufacturing, Imperial College London

Session 4: Autonomous and Connected Electric Vehicles

This session will explore the exciting new area of future mobility, exploring challenges and opportunities facing researchers and industry, to enable electric, future mobility solutions.

Confirmed speakers and panellists include:

• Monica Marinescu, Associate Professor in Energy Storage, Imperial College London
• Halil Ors, Department Manager Vehicle Applications, AVL UK
• Nigel Steward, Director, Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance
• Joachim Taiber, Advanced Research Fellow, Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance
• Michael Talbot, Head of Supply Chains, Exports, and Future Mobility, Department of Business and Trade

Who should attend?

• Manufacturing, industrial, and infrastructure leaders
• Engineers, product managers, and innovation teams, including university liaisons.
• Government agencies, regulators, and policymakers

What else should I know?

• Please complete your registration in full to confirm your job title, company, and dietary and accessibility requirements.
• This is a ticketed. We reserve the right to cancel tickets if you aren't the intended audience for this event.
• Venue accessibility information can be viewed via AccessAble.
• Any questions, please contact the Vehicle Futures Hub: [email protected]
• All guests registering for this event will be expected to adhere to Imperial’s Conference Policy
• Imperial College London – Enterprise Division Privacy Notice

What is the Vehicle Futures Hub

The Vehicle Futures Hub (VFH) is a research network at Imperial delivering cutting-edge research on future vehicle technologies. The hub’s key focus is to accelerate research, innovation, and technological development in vehicles through collaborative, cross-sectoral efforts. Our large research network comprises of several academic experts with backgrounds in transport, mobility, and vehicle innovation.

We strongly believe in the power of technology to create a safe and sustainable society. Read more here: Vehicle Futures Hub

Info:

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Foyer City and Guilds Building, City and Guilds Building, London, United Kingdom

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