With Transport Research Arena (TRA) 2026 just around the corner, ULTIMO has one of the most packed schedules of any project at this year’s edition in Budapest, from 18 to 21 May. From live demonstrations of the EVO3 automated shuttle from Navya Mobility running across all four days, to sessions on user needs, international knowledge transfer, and the future of mobility, there is a lot to catch.
Below, find a full breakdown of where you can find ULTIMO at TRA. Come say hello, hear what the project has been up to, and meet the team! Some sessions will take place at the ULTIMO technical booth (C/24 in Hall G) and at the UITP stand (C/11 in Hall G, next to the European Commission), while others will be held in congress rooms as part of the main TRA programme. You can view the full floor plan here.
Sessions at the UITP Stand
19 May | 12:00–13:00 | “Identifying Specific User Needs”
ULTIMO will join GOLIA, PIONEERS and Interreg’s NEXT-RIDE project for a session addressing the gap between what designers think users want and what users actually want, and how different projects have tried to close it. User-centred design is easy to claim, but this session will get into the methodology behind it. ULTIMO and NEXT-RIDE are connected through a Memorandum of Understanding, making this a natural opportunity to put that collaboration on display.
20 May | 12:00–13:00 | “Innovations beyond Europe”
ULTIMO will share the floor with eBRT2030, TRANS-SAFE, UPPER and COOL4 for a session exploring what happens when EU-funded mobility solutions get applied outside the EU. Local policy environments, funding structures, and planning cultures can all create friction and complicate implementation. This session will address that directly, drawing on the experiences of projects that have been through the process. ULTIMO and COOL4 are connected through a Memorandum of Understanding, making this a particularly fitting collaboration to showcase here.
ReGeneration sessions
20 May | 10:30–12:00 | “Deploying Next-Generation Transport Innovations: What Will Truly Redefine Passenger Mobility and Freight?” Room F5
Jeroen Beukers (Head of Innovation, Transports Publics Genevois) will deliver a keynote covering the journey from research prototype to real-world service, with all the scalability and integration challenges that entails.
21 May | 10:30–12:00 | “From R&D to Routine: Fast-Track Pathways for Transport Innovation” Room F10
Prof. Guy Fournier (Pforzheim University & CentraleSupélec) will present findings from the ULTIMO project, exploring how automated vehicles can serve as a catalyst for sustainable future mobility. His presentation sits within a session tackling one of Europe’s most pressing transport challenges: the gap between world-class research and operational deployment at scale. While European institutions lead research, the transition from proof of concept to stable, widespread implementation remains slow and fragmented. Prof. Fournier will show how tools such as digital twins, scenario-in-the-loop approaches and AI-enabled ecosystems can accelerate this transition without compromising safety, resilience, sovereignty or public trust, offering practical frameworks for those working to bring the next generation of transport systems to life.
Live Demonstrations Throughout TRA
ULTIMO will have one of the most visible presences at TRA 2026, with activities running across all four days. From the afternoon of 18 May through to 21 May, ULTIMO will operate live demonstrations of the EVO3 automated shuttle from Navya Mobility, serving four pick-up and drop-off points across the site. A technical booth will also be available at C24 with live tech demos, alongside a further presence in the EU area throughout the event. Visitors are encouraged to stop by either location to engage directly with the project team and its technologies. Please refer to the map below with respect to participating in the ULTIMO demo.
We look forward to seeing you in Budapest!
