Florida Autonomous Vehicle Summit returns next week, with an eye toward the autonomy economy and more

The Florida Autonomous Vehicle Summit (FAVS) returns next week, Nov. 5-7, in Orlando for its 13th year. 

With the agenda for the three-day event now finalized, the Summit will include a series of tech-forward exhibits, demonstrations, break-out sessions and networking opportunities with leaders from across the transportation, technology and policy sectors to learn more about where the future of autonomous vehicles, air mobility and connected transportation is heading. 

Demonstrations will include Waymo, Saferydr, beep, the Tesla Owners Club, DeCharge, Karsan and Glydways. 

BEEP and Karsan demonstrations will allow participants to experience autonomous vehicle (AV) mobility firsthand through self-driving shuttle experiences. Other demonstrations include Glydways’ innovative AV; Waymo’s autonomous ride-share vehicles; DeCharge’s revolutionary new electric vehicle charging system; the latest full self-driving capabilities from Tesla; and the new EZ Raider from Saferydr, a new personal mobility device built for safety, versatility and performance. 

Exhibitors will include CFX, the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Cavnue, GM2 Inc., Metric Engineering, Team FL, HNTB, HDR, the Florida Department of Transportation, Suntrax, WGI, AI Infrastructure, Inktel Contract Center Solutions, and more. 

This year’s FAVS is in collaboration with ACES Mobility Coalition (Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Shared), which brings together transportation leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and researchers shaping tomorrow’s infrastructure. 

FAVS sponsors include the Central Florida Expressway Authority as the event agency host, and the Florida Policy Project, the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, GMX and the Florida Department of Transportation as event hosts. 

Other sponsors include HNTB, Waymo, and HDR at the diamond level; Lyft, Ford, and Uber at the platinum level; Zoox as the lunch sponsor; beep, Michael Baker International, WGI, Playbook Public Relations, Wing, and Balfour Beatty at the gold level; and several other silver-level and named sponsors. 

The event opens on Wednesday with registration until 7 p.m. and a VIP reception from 6-8 p.m.

Former state Sen. Jeff Brandes, who also founded the Florida Policy Project, and CFX Executive Director Michelle Maikisch will deliver opening remarks on Thursday at 8 a.m., followed by brief sessions on “Autonomy through the Ages: A Journey of Innovation;” “Autonomy Economy & The Infrastructure for America;” and “The World in Drive: Competing in the New Global Auto Economy.” 

Other Thursday General Sessions include talks on navigating deals, the future of autonomy from Waymo on its vision for safer, smarter mobility, revolutionizing transportation, air mobility, and the Connected Jacksonville program. 

FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue will deliver the day’s lunch presentation. 

Breakout sessions on various topics will begin after lunch through 3 p.m., followed by more general sessions until 5:15 p.m. Networking opportunities will be held periodically throughout the day, alongside exhibitions during breaks in general and breakout sessions. 

Friday kicks off with a networking breakfast from 7-8 a.m., followed by a general session addressing air mobility, drones, toll innovation, traffic infrastructure, logistics, federal policy, and more. 

The event ends on Friday at 11:30 a.m.. 

It will be held at the Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate. 

Registration is still open, and on-site registration will also be available, subject to space availability.