AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2023 The Blueprint for Autonomy

April 1, 2023

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is bringing this year’s XPONENTIAL 2023 to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. The event, which runs from May 8 – 11, will feature three days of educational programming and more than 600 exhibitors representing all aspects of the unmanned vehicle and robotics industries showcasing their latest technology to attendees from all over the world.

So, what’s on tap for this year’s XPONENTIAL 2023? The theme for this year’s XPONENTIAL is “The Blueprint for Autonomy” and AUVSI has updated the event with new features based on attendee feedback.

The week kicks off on Monday, May 8, with an exhibitors’ reception from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Events planned for Tuesday, May 9, include the first of the week’s three keynote sessions from 9:00 – 10:15 am, after which the XPO Hall and outdoor demonstrations – the trade show part of XPONENTIAL – will officially open. Alex Stamos, former Chief of Security for Facebook and Stanford Professor is the opening session keynote.

The Take 5 Networking Break, which is open to VIP and full-conference pass registrants only, will run from 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm, slightly earlier than last year. The day will conclude with the Chairperson’s Reception for invitees and VIP Pass registrants from 5:30 - 6:30 pm.

Wednesday’s agenda will follow a similar format with the second keynote address from 9:00 – 10:30 am and another Take 5 Networking Break for VIP and full conference pass holders from 1:30 – 2:00 pm. Educational programming will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:30 am - 5:30 pm, and on Thursday from 10:30 am - 3:00 pm.

Everything wraps up on Thursday with the final keynote address of the week from 9:00 - 10:15 am featuring Michael Brasseur, currently the co-founder and first Commodore of Task Force 59, Commander, Unmanned & A.I. Integration. Brasseur also launched and co-chairs the NATO Maritime Unmanned Systems Innovation Advisory Board (IAB). The event ends on Thursday with the closing of XPO Hall at 3:00 pm.

Exhibit Hall

The exhibit hall - dubbed XPO Hall - opens for business on Tuesday morning at 10:30. More than 600 exhibitors will occupy the Colorado Convention Center to show off their latest technology and products covering all aspects of unmanned vehicle and robotics design, manufacturing, and use including air, ground, surface, subsurface, space systems, weapons systems, security systems, engineering and R&D, propulsion systems, sensors, electronics, fabrication, imaging and communications systems.

In addition to the normal array of exhibitors, this year’s XPO Hall will feature several new tech pavilions designed to get attendees up close and personal with the latest ground-breaking industry-wide innovations. The Autonomous Ground Vehicles Pavilion, is a newer addition to the XPO Hall, and will feature a diverse array of ground domain systems and solutions to include technology for last-mile delivery vehicles, warehouse automation like autonomous forklifts just to name a few. The Composites Pavilion will also be featured this year as a dedicated hub for composite engineers and manufacturers to showcase unique solutions and cutting-edge technologies across the uncrewed and autonomous systems community.

Cybersecurity companies will showcase their ability to protect the networks, devices, and data used by uncrewed vehicles from unauthorized access or criminal use in the Cybersecurity Pavilion. The Future Mobility Pavilion is where attendees will be able to learn how urban air mobility and automated shuttles will provide the new, eco-friendly transportation modes of the future. And finally, the Maritime Pavilion, powered by the AUVSI Maritime Advocacy Committee, will give attendees an opportunity to check out the latest trends in surface and subsurface technologies.

The Startup Xcelerator Pavilion will once again highlight young, innovative companies looking to gain traction on their way to the future, and an outdoor demo area will allow companies to show off technology unrestricted by the indoor confines of the XPO Hall.

This year, several international pavilions have registered to showcase the technology being developed in Quebec, Germany, Spain and Switzerland. The United States will be geographically well-represented with the latest innovations and resources from Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, New York and Virginia among the states to be exhibited this year.

Educational Program

Those seeking the latest cutting-edge information about unmanned vehicles and robotics technology can attend a variety of courses and seminars at XPONENTIAL 2023.

Breakout Sessions/Pathways

The breakout sessions this year include a variety of key topics and themes relevant to the event theme of drafting a blueprint for autonomy.

• Designing Autonomy: Data Foundation

• Designing Autonomy and Technical Development

• Operationalizing Autonomy

• Integrating Autonomy: Policy and Legislation

• Integrating Autonomy: Public Engagement and Impact

• Realizing Autonomy

Solutions Theater and Innovation Theater

In 2023, XPONENTIAL will feature the Solutions and Innovation Theater, with demonstrations focused on technology that will explore how autonomy impacts major industries— from logistics, to mapping and surveying, to urban mobility.

Outdoor Demonstrations

XPONENTIAL 2023’s Outdoor Demonstrations area will provide first-hand demonstrations of how uncrewed and autonomous technologies are providing value right now to communities around the world.

Workshops

This year’s XPONENTIAL will feature a number of collaborative workshops designed to focus attention on how current and future unmanned technologies will impact the world we live in. There are 16 total workshops this year organized around the event’s core autonomy theme. Some of the topics to be addressed in 2023 include:

• Autonomous Systems 101

• Hack Our Drone

• Digital Flight: Bringing Autonomy and Connectivity to Aviation

• Taking a Closer Look: Critical Infrastructure Inspections

• The Future of Autonomous Mobility in Germany: Market Opportunities, Policies and Best Practices

Co-Located Events

AUVSI has arranged for some of the top industry organizations to host events in conjunction with XPONENTIAL 2023, giving attendees an opportunity to further their training and education in the areas of public safety, weather, law, education, defense acquisition, and maintenance and repair. Some of the co-located events include:

• The Law-Tech Connect Workshop by PTech Consulting

• NCAR UAS Weather Forum

• Drone Responders Forum

• Aerial Mapping Technologies and Procedures Workshop

• Cybersecurity Across Disciplines Workshop

After Hours

If you have any energy left over after the show, take advantage of the wide array of local arts, parks, historic attractions and experiences offered by Downtown Denver, which surrounds the Colorado Convention Center. Denver’s “LoDo” historic district is filled with turn-of-the-century warehouses, now home to 90 brewpubs, sports bars, restaurants and rooftop cafes. Denver Union Station has undergone a massive restoration that transformed the landmark into a transportation, dining, shopping and entertainment hub, and hotel. The historic, Beaux-Arts 1914 train terminal is now a foodie destination, with a dozen restaurants and bars. Local residents consistently vote Washington Park as among their favorites in Downtown Denver with its two lakes, paddle boat rentals, bike rentals, shade trees, a twomile jogging path and mountain views, but it’s the gardens that people like the best.

Whatever you choose to do with your free time, it will make your visit to XPONENTIAL 2023 that much more enjoyable.

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