From South Korea to Birmingham: what ITS World Congress 2026 means for UK connected and automated mobility 

What can the UK learn from South Korea’s approach to connected and automated mobility? Discussions at ITS World Congress 2026 in Gangneung offered a practical view of how international collaboration, shared testing infrastructure and emerging technologies can help move connected and automated mobility (CAM) from development towards deployment. 

For Zenzic, the visit was an opportunity to exchange experience with international partners, explore new connections for UK organisations and consider what these approaches could mean for the UK’s CAM ecosystem. As preparations build for ITS World Congress in Birmingham in October 2027, the value of those discussions lies in the partnerships and practical lessons they can help turn into action. 

Connecting UK expertise with South Korean partners 

The Congress provided an opportunity to build on Zenzic’s existing relationship with KADIF, its South Korean counterpart, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in March 2026 to explore opportunities for collaboration between the two countries. Discussions with KADIF, alongside technology developers, academics, test facilities and representatives of South Korea’s automotive industry, highlighted the value of connecting the UK’s capabilities in testing, verification, validation and safety assurance with international organisations addressing similar deployment challenges. 

One concrete example is the UK–South Korea Secure TCU collaboration. Engagement with AutoCrypt, Beam Connectivity, Secure Elements and KATECH highlighted the growing importance of protecting vehicle telematics and communications as vehicles become more software-defined and connected. Cybersecurity is not separate from commercial deployment: confidence in the safety and resilience of connected systems is fundamental to bringing new mobility services into everyday use. 

The existing collaboration also offers a foundation for further joint research and knowledge exchange. For UK businesses, relationships of this kind can provide routes to specialist expertise, international partners and potential future markets. 

Testing and assurance: connecting the virtual with the physical 

A second theme was the role of simulation and shared test environments in helping automated vehicle technologies progress towards deployment. Discussions with MORAI examined how digital twins and software-in-the-loop testing can recreate driving scenarios and connect virtual evaluation with physical test activity. 

This raises a practical question for the sector: how can evidence from simulated environments contribute to a robust, credible safety case? The answer depends on the quality and relevance of the testing, as well as the assurance frameworks through which results can be assessed. It is an area where cooperation across organisations and borders could help develop shared understanding and complementary approaches. 

South Korea’s K-City automated driving test facility provided a further example of how physical infrastructure can bring developers, researchers and industry together. Its wider significance is the ecosystem created around testing: shared facilities and opportunities to exchange expertise can help organisations identify challenges earlier, improve their systems and build relationships needed for commercial progress. 

From enabling technology to real-world applications 

The visit also illustrated the breadth of innovation underpinning connected and automated mobility. Discussions with LG Innotek explored developments in sensor integration, radar and vehicle electronics, while conversations around vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems showed how connected infrastructure could contribute to road safety and more responsive transport networks. 

These developments reinforce the point that CAM does not depend on automation software alone. Digital security, reliable sensing, connected infrastructure, energy systems and integrated hardware all play a role in determining whether solutions can be deployed effectively and at scale. 

For the UK, these areas present opportunities to combine established strengths in engineering, research and safety assurance with emerging international supply chains and commercial partnerships. The goal is not simply to learn what other countries are doing, but to identify where UK expertise can create value. 

What this means for the UK CAM ecosystem 

Different markets are taking different approaches to supporting CAM innovation. One observation from the South Korean visit was the close interaction between public research institutions, testing infrastructure and major automotive manufacturers. The UK has its own strengths, including an established testing ecosystem, internationally recognised engineering expertise and ongoing work on the regulatory foundations for automated driving. 

The opportunity is to build on those strengths while making it easier for UK innovators to move from research and demonstration to commercially relevant deployment. That means maintaining strong international relationships, understanding the needs of potential customers and partners, and ensuring that testing and assurance activity supports realistic routes to market. 

International engagement should therefore deliver more than contacts and conference conversations. It should help identify collaborations, inform future priorities and create practical openings for UK businesses to develop and demonstrate their technologies. 

Building towards Birmingham 2027 

With ITS World Congress scheduled to return to the UK at Birmingham’s NEC from 25–29 October 2027, there is a timely opportunity to build on the relationships developed in South Korea. The event offers a platform to bring international partners closer to the UK ecosystem, showcase progress and encourage new commercial and research collaborations. 

The priority over the coming year is to turn shared learning into tangible outcomes: stronger partnerships, better-informed approaches to testing and assurance, and more opportunities for UK companies to contribute to the international CAM market. 

The value of international engagement lies not simply in the conversations we have, but in what we bring back and build upon together. 

Find out more about ITS World Congress Birmingham 2027 and the opportunities to connect with the international intelligent transport community.