The Nordic Autonomous Innovation Summit, part of the Nordic Autonomous Mobility Week in Silicon Valley, brought together leading experts, policymakers, and innovators from Sweden, Norway, and the U.S. to explore advancements in autonomous driving (AD). The day was structured with a system perspective to understand the deployment of Autonomous Driving (AD) from multiple angles: Technology, Policy and regulations, Business models, Public acceptance, and Infrastructure. Held after CES 2025, this summit provided a platform for panels, networking, and expert insights, fostering collaboration to identify scalable and sustainable solutions that accelerate the adoption of autonomous driving in the Nordic region.

Panels included key organizations and experts such as the California DMV, Uber, Pony AI, Ericsson, Volvo Cars, AstaZero, and the Swedish Transport Agency, alongside thought leaders like Bryant Walker Smith, associate professor in the School of Law at the University of South Carolin, and representatives from cities and public transport agencies in the Nordics and the U.S. This created a collaborative space to share insights and foster innovation.

While the approaches may differ—“US innovates, and EU regulates”—the summit demonstrated the power of dialogue and collaboration across regions to advance autonomous mobility.

Participants included industry giants like Volvo Cars, Rivian, Ericsson, and Uber, alongside public organizations such as the Swedish Transport Agency, Norwegian Public Roads Administration, and California DMV. With diverse perspectives from government, academia, and private industry, the event aimed to accelerate Nordic AD adoption for both passenger and goods transportation.

Key Takeaways

Opening Keynote – Autonomy in Motion: The Role of Technology in Future Mobility Bryant Walker Smith, a distinguished legal and engineering scholar, delivered an inspiring keynote on the interplay between technology, policy, and societal impacts of autonomous vehicles. He emphasized the need for a systems approach to autonomy, incorporating robust AI, sensor integration, and ethical frameworks to address legal uncertainties and public concerns. His insights set the stage for collaborative problem-solving, underscoring the importance of global partnerships in advancing safe and equitable autonomous mobility.

Session 1 – Driving the Future: Business Models for Sustainable AD Integration Moderated by Jenny Simonsen of ITS Norway, this session explored the business models driving AD adoption. Panelists included representatives from Pony AI, Västtrafik, Ruter, and Uber, who highlighted the convergence of technology and sustainability. Key takeaways included the growth of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) ecosystems, where public and private sectors collaborate to offer integrated transit solutions. Adam Laurell from Västtrafik discussed the success of pilot programs in Sweden, while Dmitriy Vanchugov of Uber shared strategies for scaling ride-sharing platforms with autonomous fleets. The discussion concluded with actionable insights on ensuring business models remain adaptable to technological advancements and evolving public expectations.

Session 2 – Navigating Policies: Regulatory Roadmaps for AD Policy experts from California and the Nordic countries discussed the challenges and opportunities in creating regulations for AD. Moderated by Jan Hellåker, the session featured speakers like Terra Curtis (California Public Utilities Commission) and Katharina Norén (Swedish Transport Agency). They emphasized the importance of harmonizing international standards while maintaining region-specific flexibility. Miguel Acosta highlighted California's tiered AV testing framework as a potential model for the Nordics. Gry Johansen from Norway discussed strategies for addressing public safety concerns while fostering innovation. The session reinforced the value of proactive, transparent collaboration between policymakers, private companies, and public stakeholders.

Session 3 – Acceptance and Behavior: Preparing the Public for Autonomous Driving This session, led by Henriette Cornet of Urban Innovate, delved into public trust and behavioral adaptation. Panelists like Mikael Ivari from Gothenburg and Patrick Burt, former Mayor of Palo Alto, shared success stories from pilot projects in their cities. Key points included the necessity of clear communication to alleviate public concerns and the role of city-specific trials in demonstrating AV safety and benefits. Vy Group’s Kai Kristoffersen highlighted innovative campaigns to engage communities, ensuring broader acceptance of autonomous mobility.

Session 4 – Building the Foundations: Physical and Digital Infrastructure for AD Moderated by Andreas Netz of Vinnova, this session tackled the dual challenge of upgrading physical and digital infrastructure for autonomous vehicles.

• Physical Infrastructure: Lena Westervall of Volvo Cars highlighted critical road design updates, such as adaptive lane markings and intelligent traffic signals. Fredrik Åkesson from AstaZero shared examples from their Swedish testbeds, including scalable infrastructure solutions tested under real-world conditions. Mikael Thor from Rivian provided an analysis of the state of infrastructure readiness in the Nordics and the U.S., noting the need for closer integration between city planners and technology providers.
• Digital Infrastructure: Mathias Riback of Ericsson emphasized the transformative role of 5G, AI, and edge computing in ensuring safe and efficient AV operations. Discussions also focused on the transition to software-defined vehicles, with Lena and Mikael outlining the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and cross-industry collaboration. Riback addressed the hurdles in standardizing digital infrastructure, advocating for global cooperation to avoid fragmentation.
• Collaboration and Future Outlook: Panelists explored lessons from Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem, with Mikael Thor stressing the importance of public-private partnerships. Fredrik Åkesson highlighted pilot projects as critical pathways to accelerate development. The session concluded with a realistic timeline for large-scale AV deployment, projected to mature over the next decade, contingent on collaborative infrastructure investments.

Closing Remarks and Networking The summit concluded with a call to action for sustained collaboration between Nordic and U.S. stakeholders. Participants left with valuable insights on how to address the complexities of autonomous mobility while ensuring scalability, safety, and sustainability. The evening’s happy hour fostered connections between policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators, setting the stage for future partnerships.