As the automotive industry continues its rapid evolution toward ADAS and AVs, collaboration, innovation, and public trust remain at the forefront of progress.
Ahead of AutoSens USA 2026, four industry experts; Geir Ostrem, Prof. Darcy Bullock, Jashmita Kashat, and Katelyn Magney-Miller, have shared their perspectives on the challenges, opportunities, and transformative trends shaping the sector. Their insights offer a preview of the key themes set to define discussions at this year’s AutoSens USA event.
Geir Ostrem
Managing Director – Automotive Systems and Technology, Analog Devices
Professor Darcy Bullock
Lyles Family Professor of Civil and Construction Engineering, Purdue University
Jashmita Kashat
Product Line Director – Radar, Forvia HELLA
Katelyn Magney-Miller
Communications Director, Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE USA)
Navigating Today’s Challenges
Geir Ostrem highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the pace and direction of technological adoption. While automakers continue to push ambitious roadmaps, execution has proven more difficult, leading to delays and even cancellations of vehicle platforms. This disconnect creates significant challenges for long-term planning and underscores the need for deeper collaboration and greater standardization in vehicle architectures.
From an infrastructure perspective, Darcy Bullock pointed to a different (but equally critical) challenge: establishing a shared vision for how ADAS data can be used to improve roadway systems. Unlocking this potential requires cooperation between industry and public agencies, while carefully balancing the need to protect driver privacy.
Meanwhile, Katelyn Magney-Miller emphasized that technological progress alone is not enough. Public trust remains a major bottleneck for AV adoption. Despite successful deployments, scepticism persists, making education and real-world engagement essential. Building confidence in the technology will be just as important as advancing it.
Opportunities on the Horizon
Looking ahead to the next 12 months, opportunities are emerging that could accelerate both innovation and adoption.
Geir Ostrem sees that one of the most significant opportunities lies in enabling secure, universal access to vehicle data. This capability is key to unlocking the full potential of cloud-connected systems and delivering enhanced user experiences. He also spoke on the rise of “physical AI”—where artificial intelligence is combined with an understanding of real-world physics—as a powerful and still largely untapped frontier.
For Darcy Bullock, he sees momentum building in the formation of new partnerships between automotive stakeholders and public agencies. By aligning priorities and focusing on safety-driven investments, these collaborations could lead to more intelligent infrastructure and better outcomes for road users.
Defining the Future of Mobility
When looking further ahead, several transformative trends begin to take shape.
Geir Ostrem identified two major forces that will define the next decade: electrification and the shift toward software- and AI-defined transportation. Importantly, this transformation extends beyond the vehicle itself. It encompasses the entire ecosystem-data infrastructure, cloud computing, AI capabilities, and reliable global connectivity- all working together to enable the next generation of mobility.
Darcy Bullock reinforced the importance of sustained collaboration, predicting that closer, more routine partnerships with public agencies will play a key role in shaping long-term infrastructure investments.
And Jashmita Kashat highlighted the rapid advancement of radar technology. As adoption accelerates—driven by stricter safety requirements and the growth of Level 2+ and Level 3 systems—next-generation radar is becoming increasingly sophisticated. AI-enhanced signal processing and high-resolution sensing are enabling more accurate object detection and stronger sensor fusion across all conditions. These advancements position radar as a foundational technology in the development of software-defined, highly automated vehicles.
A Converging Industry
While challenges around execution, collaboration, and public trust remain, the opportunities driven by data, AI, and cross-sector partnerships are immense. As these themes converge, they will not only shape the conversations at AutoSens USA 2026 but also define the future of ADAS and autonomous mobility.
Interested in in-cabin monitoring technology?
With a pass to AutoSens, you’ll also get full access to our co-located sister event, InCabin. See the speaker line-up for InCabin here >>
