Five take-aways from Smart City Expo World Congress

Drive Sweden’s booth was located in the section of the expo called Tomorrow Mobility. Here, we welcomed and engaged in conversations with over 300 visitors, many of whom expressed interest in collaborating with the program. We hosted daily project demonstrations, and several of our partners also participated in panel discussions on one of the major congress stages. Read more about the booth program here >>

Drive Sweden’s delegation included partners from across the triple-helix spectrum, with participants from both large and small companies, academia, and the public sector. (See below for the list of participating organizations.) In addition to meeting international attendees at Drive Sweden’s booth, our partners explored the vast expo and conference program. Here are their key takeaways:

1. Diversity of Participants

One of the event’s greatest strengths was the diversity of attendees:

• Geography: From the EU to individual countries, regions, and cities.

• Roles: From mayors (and other politicians) to public sector officials.

• Organizations: From corporate giants like Microsoft and Deloitte to innovative start-ups.

• Scope: Every type of vehicle imaginable—and some that went beyond imagination.

2. Cloud Solutions and Digital Twins

Technology dominated the expo, with a strong focus on data platforms, cloud solutions, and digital twins. However, our partners noted that while there is much talk about the importance of integrating data, few showcased concrete applications or demonstrated tangible value for end-users.

3. The Role of the City

Concepts like the 15-minute city and New European Bauhaus reflect a major shift in urban planning—away from the 20th-century logic of geographic separation (factories here, housing there, shops elsewhere) toward a more integrated approach. This transformation also implies radically rethinking mobility and logistics systems.

4. The Human Perspective

How will people’s daily lives function in the smart cities of the future? This critical question received little attention at the expo, as discussions often focused heavily on technology. However, there were exceptions, such as Liselott Stenfeldt from Danish Gehl, who emphasized that empathy and emotional intelligence should underpin decision-making and the design of inclusive, resilient communities. (Watch her discussion for free with login here.)

5. The Middle East Ramps Up

Lavish booths from Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries were increasingly prominent, showcasing ambitious visions for entirely new cities. As one attendee put it, “Everything we want to do, they’re starting from scratch.” At the same time, it was clear that inclusivity is defined differently in these regions, and there was no hesitation in highlighting the potential of new digital technologies for efficient surveillance.

Partners in the Drive Swedens delegation AstaZero, Einride, Ericsson, Freelway, GoCimo, Högskolan i Borås, Högskolan i Halmstad, Samtrafiken, Stockholms Stad, Sustainable Innovation, Sweco, Telia, Urbanivation, Volvo Cars and VTI.

Program Director Malin Andersson also led several planned discussions with key stakeholders on-site. These were recorded as podcast episodes, which we will start publishing in December—stay tuned!