Land, Sea, Air - How Devon and Cornwall will lead Britain’s Autonomous Systems Boom
About
From the depths of the Atlantic to the rolling fields of the peninsula and the open skies above, Devon and Cornwall offer an unparalleled rapid prototyping & testing ground for the next generation of autonomous technology.
This event will bring together global industry leaders, innovative startups, academic pioneers, and policymakers to explore how the region’s rich maritime heritage, agricultural expertise, and growing aerospace sector can converge to create a world-leading hub for autonomous systems.
We will delve into the challenges and opportunities, showcasing groundbreaking projects and forging the collaborations needed to drive investment, innovation, and economic growth.
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Continuing Professional Development
This event can contribute towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours as part of the IET's CPD monitoring scheme.
28 Nov 2025
12:00pm - 10:00pm
Programme
12.00 - 13.00 - Corporate partner stand setup and networking
13.00 - Welcome statement and introductory remarks
13.00 - 13.15 - Overview: National Marine Autonomy Centre
13.15 - 13.30 - Overview: The National Drone Hub
13.30 - 13.45 - Overview: The Plymouth and South Devon Freeport Opportunity
13.45 - 14.30 - break
14.60 - 16.00 - Product showcases
16.00 - 17.00 - break
17.00 - 17.20 - Keynote 1: The demand for autonomous systems and British innovation
17.20 - 17.40 - Keynote 2: How technology has evolved in the Royal Navy
17.40 - 18.00 - Keynote 3 - The vision for Plymouth and afdjacent regions
18.00 - 19.30 - Panel discussions - What barriers are there to rapid testing of autonomous systems? How do we ensure autonomous systems are secure by design? What skills doe sthe UK need to build autonomous systems? How can we make defence innovation multi-use for other applications of autonomy?
20.00 - Closing statement and VIP drinks reception