神奈川工科大学
研究推進機構 先進自動車研究所（ＶＲＩ）
研究推進機構 先進自動車研究所（ＶＲＩ）
About ROAD: The "Roundtable on the Purpose of Autonomous Driving (ROAD)" conference series has evolved into a unique platform for interdis-ciplinary dialogue and international collaboration in the field of autonomous driving and autonomous mobility. Established in 2016, ROAD has brought together researchers, industry leaders, and public sector stakeholders from six countries across three continents.
The previous conference in 2024 focused on digital twins for autonomous driving, introducing verification methods based on demonstrations and simulations. Insights gained from this roundtable have highlighted current challenges in standardization, trust-building, and the alignment of simulation with reality. This review demonstrates that ROAD serves not only as a scientific forum but also as an active driver of international co-operation and innovation in mobility research.
Based on this background, the upcoming ROAD 2026 will focus on "safety” and "driving AI”—the final pieces of the autonomous driving puzzle—to advance discussions on establishing the foundational framework for ensuring safety quality and obtaining regula-tory approval for autonomous driving. We also intend to discuss the international commonalities and differences regarding the social value brought about by ADS vehicles in terms of automation, intelligent driving, and mobility.
We have established a total of five compelling themes for the Round Workshops, consisting of two topics related to “The Last Piece” and three topics related to the social value of ADS, as shown below.
1) Round Workshop 1 - Horizons of E2E Driving AI
→ Can AI Understand the Driving Environment Like Humans?
2) Round Workshop 2 - Beyond the Unknown: Safety Cases for ADS
→ Can Safety Ever Be Proven?
3) Round Workshop 3 - Envisioning Smart City Mobility
→ Can Smart City Mobility Bridge the Mobility Divide?
4) Round Workshop 4 - Logistics Enhancement Through Autonomous Tracking
→ Will Logistics Become Human-Free?
5) Round Workshop 5 - The Evolution of CASE: SDV/AIDV
→ Will Automakers Become AI Companies?
We hope you’ll all join us!
Quoted from
T. Haraguchi, Stefan-A. Schneider, The ROAD Series: A Success Story in Advancing Autonomous
Driving,
Proceedings of 8th International Symposium on Future Active Safety Technology towards Zero-
Traffic
Accidents 23-26 September 2025, Arles, France
| Chairperson: | Hideo INOUE, Kanagawa Institute of Technology, JAPAN |
|---|---|
| Vice Chairperson: | Stefan SCHNEIDER,University of Applied Sciences Kempten, GERMANY |
| Tetsunori HARAGUCHI, Nagoya University, JAPAN | |
| Committee Members: | Ichiro KAGEYAMA, Nihon University, JAPAN |
| Masashi YANAI, SEKISUI S-LEC B.V., THE NETHERLANDS | |
| Gerhard STEININGER, leap4, GERMANY | |
| Pongsathorn RAKSINCHAROENSAK, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, JAPAN | |
| Kazuhiko HANAYA, Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC, JAPAN |
Can AI Understand the Driving Environment Like Humans?
Moderator:
Gerhard STEININGER, leap4, GERMANY
Recent advances in large-scale AI models have accelerated the development of End-to-End (E2E) autonomous driving systems. Unlike conventional autonomous driving architectures, which decompose driving into perception, prediction, planning, and control, E2E ap-proaches seek to learn driving behavior directly from data.
In this workshop, we aim to discuss whether driving intelligence will continue to be explicitly designed based on human tacit knowledge, or whether AI systems will be able to generate safe driving behavior on their own. We also seek to explore the opportuni-ties and challenges in areas such as end-to-end (E2E) architectures, foundational models, explainability, reliability, data-centric devel-opment, and regulatory approval. Together, we would like to consider how these technologies may shape the future of autonomous driving.
Key Questions:
Can Safety Ever Be Proven?
Moderator:
Pongsathorn RAKSINCHAROENSAK, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, JAPAN
Safety remains one of the greatest challenges facing Autonomous Driving Systems (ADS). Autonomous vehicles must not only per-form safely under known conditions but also respond appropriately to rare, unexpected, and previously unseen situations.
In this workshop, we would like to discuss how safety cases should be developed, evaluated, and accepted by regulators and society. We hope to explore the roles of scenario-based validation, simulation, digital twins, certification frameworks, and public acceptance. Together, we would like to consider what constitutes sufficient evidence of safety in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Key Questions:
Can Smart City Mobility Bridge the Mobility Divide?
Moderator:
Masashi YANAI, SEKISUI S-LEC B.V., THE NETHERLANDS
Autonomous driving technology has the potential to transform not only transportation systems but also accessibility, social inclusion, and quality of life. While smart city initiatives often prioritize efficiency and convenience, one of the most critical challenges facing modern society is the widening “mobility divided” experienced by the elderly, people with disabilities, rural communities, and others with limited access to transportation.
In this workshop, we aim to discuss how autonomous driving can contribute to the realization of a more inclusive and accessible soci-ety. We intend to explore the roles that autonomous vehicles, public transportation, MaaS (Mobility-as-a-Service), and smart city in-telligence play in addressing mobility disparities and expanding transportation opportunities for all citizens.
Key Questions:
Will Logistics Become Human-Free?
Moderator:
Ichiro KAGEYAMA, Nihon University, JAPAN
Labor shortages, aging populations, and growing logistics demand are creating unprecedented challenges worldwide. Autonomous technologies are increasingly viewed as a key solution, but important technical, economic, and social questions remain.
In this workshop, we would like to discuss the future of autonomous logistics and supply chains. Topics such as autonomous trucks, platooning, delivery robots, drone logistics, economic viability, and regulatory frameworks will be explored. Together, we would like to consider how far logistics automation can realistically go.
Key Questions:
Will Automakers Become AI Companies?
Moderator:
Kazuhiko HANAYA, Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC, JAPAN
Ryuji SUGIOKA, Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC, JAPAN
The automotive industry is rapidly evolving from hardware-defined products to Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) and AI Defined Ve-hicles (AIDVs). As vehicles become increasingly connected and intelligent, software, data, and AI are becoming key drivers of innova-tion and value creation.
In this workshop, we would like to discuss how SDVs and AIDVs will reshape vehicle development, customer experiences, and mobility services. We also hope to explore the growing roles of cloud platforms, AI technologies, and advanced semiconductor technologies in the future automotive ecosystem.
Key Questions:
| Keynote 1 | Horizons of E2E Driving AI by xxxxx |
|---|---|
| Keynote 2 | City-Scale Agentic World Model for Virtual Testing of Autonomous Vehicle
Deployment by Henry Liu, Professor and Director, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute |
| Keynote 3 | Envisioning Smart City Mobility by xxxxx |
| Keynote 4 | Logistics Enhancement Through Autonomous Trucking by Hiroshi SATO, Senior Executive Officer / SVP, Chief Officer for External Affairs / SVP, Engineering Division, Isuzu Motors Limited |
| Keynote 5 | The Evolution of CASE: SDV/AIDV by Fumikazu KITAGAWA, Principal, Japanese Services Group, Deloitte & Touche LLP |
| Program Schedule Day 1 - Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 09:00 - 09:30 | Registration |
| 09:30 - 09:50 | Opening |
| 09:50 - 10:30 | Keynote 1 |
| 10:30 - 10:40 | Coffee break |
| 10:40 - 11:20 | Keynote 2 |
| 11:20 - 11:30 | Coffee break |
| 11:30 - 12:10 | Keynote 3 |
| 12:10 - 13:10 | Lunch |
| 13:10 - 13:30 | Introduction of Round Workshop |
| 13:30 - 15:00 | Round Workshop 1 |
| 15:00 - 15:20 | Coffee break |
| 15:20 - 16:50 | Round Workshop 2 |
| 16:50 - 17:10 | Coffee break |
| 17:10 - 18:40 | Round Workshop 3 |
| 18:40 - | Welcome Party (KAIT) |
| Program Schedule Day 2 - Thursday, October 1, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 08:45 - 08:55 | Registration |
| 08:55 - 09:00 | Opening |
| 09:00 - 09:40 | Keynote 4 |
| 09:40 - 09:50 | Coffee break |
| 09:50 - 10:30 | Keynote 5 |
| 10:30 - 10:50 | Coffee break |
| 10:50 - 12:20 | Round Workshop 4 |
| 12:20 - 13:20 | Lunch |
| 13:20 - 14:50 | Round Workshop 5 |
| 14:50 - 15:10 | Coffee break |
| 15:10 - 15:40 | Wrap up of ROAD 2026 |
| 15:40 - 16:10 | Closing |
| 16:10 - 17:10 | Transit (Tsurumaki Onsen Jinya) |
| 17:10 - | Conference dinner (Jinya, Japanese traditional restaurant) |
| Program Schedule Day 3 - Friday, October 2, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 09:00 - 14:00 | Visit1: Nissan Technical Center (Atsugi) |
| Visit2: Forum8 (Shinagawa) | |
| Visit3: KAIT Lab Tour (KAIT) | |
Kanagawa Institute of Technology
1030 Shimo-ogino, Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa 243-0292, Japan
Contact: ROAD 2026 Secretariat, Phone: +81-46-291-3067, Email: pm-divp@ml.mail.ne.jp
To book your room and receive a special rate, please follow the steps below:
 |
REMBRANDT HOTEL ATSUGI Single occupancy rate: ¥12,500 per night Email: atsugi.rooms@rembrandt-hotel.co.jp Tel: (+81)46-221-0001 |
 |
ODAKYU STATION HOTEL HON-ATSUGI Single occupancy rate: ¥7,500 per night (single) Single occupancy rate: ¥8,000 per night (semi-double) Single occupancy rate: ¥12,000 per night (double) Email: atsugi@odakyu-hotel.co.jp Tel: (+81)46-228-1111 |
We kindly invite professionals and experts from around the world to register for ROAD 2026. Please complete your registration using the form below to secure your participation.
We look forward to your valuable insights and contributions to our discussions.
Registration Form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/wcUyMr2uy4
