As automated vehicles move from research laboratories to real-world roads, one question continues to shape the future of mobility: how can automated driving systems earn the trust of European citizens while delivering safer, more efficient and more inclusive transport?

This question will take centre stage at the BERTHA’s FINAL EVENT, taking place in Les Ateliers des Tanneurs (Brussels, Belgium) on 21 October 2026. The event will bring together researchers, industry representatives, policymakers and mobility stakeholders to present the project’s achievements and discuss the next steps needed to accelerate the deployment of human-centred automated mobility across Europe.

Human-Centred Automated Driving: Why It Matters

Public confidence remains one of the biggest challenges facing Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM). While technological progress continues at a rapid pace, widespread adoption will depend on whether automated systems can behave in ways that are understandable, predictable and aligned with human expectations.

This is precisely the challenge addressed by the BERTHA project. Over the past three years, the consortium has worked to improve the understanding and replication of human driving behaviour, helping developers create automated driving systems that interact more naturally and safely with other road users. The project’s overarching goal has been to support the development of more trustworthy and accepted automated mobility solutions by placing human behaviour at the heart of technological innovation.

From Research to Deployment

The BERTHA Final Event will also provide a space for discussion on the future of human-centred automated driving. Bringing together different perspectives from across the mobility ecosystem, the session will explore how research results can contribute to safer, more trusted and more widely accepted automated mobility solutions in Europe.

Showcasing BERTHA’s Achievements

Before turning to future challenges, participants will have the opportunity to discover the project’s major scientific and technological achievements.

The programme will cover a wide range of topics, including human factors and driver typologies, driver behaviour modelling, perception and cognition, simulation environments, scenario generation, validation activities and industrial demonstrators. Together, these results contribute to a better understanding of how automated vehicles can interact safely and naturally with human drivers and other road users.

Attendees will also be able to experience demonstrations and exhibitions presented by project partners, offering a first-hand look at the tools, methodologies and innovations developed throughout the project.

Building Trust in Automated Vehicles

Trust is often described as the missing link between technological capability and public acceptance.

For automated driving technologies to fulfil their promise, users must feel confident that vehicles can make safe decisions in complex and unpredictable situations. This requires systems that not only perform effectively but also behave in ways that humans can anticipate and understand.

BERTHA’s work on behavioural modelling addresses this challenge directly by investigating how human drivers perceive risks, make decisions and interact with their surroundings. By integrating this knowledge into automated driving systems, the project contributes to the development of mobility solutions that are more intuitive, predictable and ultimately more acceptable to society.

A Shared Vision for the Future of CCAM

The final event is designed not only as a showcase of project results but also as a platform for dialogue on the future of CCAM in Europe. The participation of representatives from policy, industry, research and user communities will help bridge the gap between innovation and deployment, ensuring that future developments reflect both technological possibilities and societal expectations.

As BERTHA approaches its conclusion, the consortium aims to foster the long-term uptake and exploitation of the project’s outcomes, while contributing to future research and innovation agendas in automated mobility. The discussion in Brussels will therefore focus not only on what has been achieved, but also on what comes next.

Join the Conversation

The future of automated driving will depend on more than technological breakthroughs. It will require collaboration, evidence-based policymaking and a deep understanding of human behaviour. As Europe advances towards increasingly automated mobility systems, initiatives such as BERTHA are helping ensure that technological innovation remains aligned with human needs, safety expectations and societal acceptance.

By bringing together key actors from across the mobility ecosystem, the BERTHA’s FINAL EVENT will provide an opportunity to reflect on progress, explore future opportunities and discuss one of the most important questions facing the sector today:

What will it take for Europeans to trust automated driving?

Be part of the discussion and join us in Brussels on 21 October 2026. Register now to secure your place at the BERTHA Final Event through the official registration form: BERTHA Project – 21st October, Brussels 2026.