Successfully took place on 7 October 2025, at the JOIST Innovation Park in Larissa and online via MS Teams, the event entitled «Autonomous Mobility & Smart Transport: Technology, Safety and Social Inclusion», bringing together representatives from the business, research, academic and social sectors.
The event, organised by the JOIST Innovation Park, the Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED) and the programme Interreg Euro-MED ArtMED, with the support of Municipality of Larissa and of the programme Antifragility, focus on contemporary developments in the field of autonomous mobility and smart transport.
Critical issues relating to technology, security, digital infrastructure and the social dimension of mobility were highlighted. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to strengthen cooperation between stakeholders, as well as on connecting technological developments with the real needs of society.
During the event, the following were presented:
- Local government initiatives and strategies in the field of smart transport
- The theoretical and research background of autonomous mobility
- Business applications and innovative startups in the sector
- European projects and tools, such as ArtMED, for demand-responsive transport planning
Particular emphasis was placed on the dimension of social inclusion, with an emphasis on equal access for people with disabilities and vulnerable groups, highlighting the need to design solutions that leave no one behind. During the event, the topic was presented from the Municipality's perspective, and more specifically what actions are being adopted or what is planned to be organised for implementation. In addition, the academic part was covered through the theoretical framework of autonomous mobility as it stands and as far as it has been studied so far.
As event coordinator, Thodoris Alexandrou, an executive at the RIS3 Thessaly office, pointed out how important it is to connect technology with society's needs, especially through the Regional RIS3 Mechanism, and that the goal in Thessaly is to monitor new trends, strengthen collaboration between bodies and provide strategic direction so that innovation reaches everyone.
The event concluded with positive feedback and keen interest in continuing the dialogue and developing sustainable and innovative mobility solutions at European and national level.