The Second International Conference on Smart Mobility and Logistics Ecosystems (SMiLE)
Organized by: IRC for Smart Mobility and Logistics
SMiLE Conference 2026 gathered researchers, industry leaders, innovators, and students from around the world to explore the future of Smart Mobility and Logistics Ecosystems.
Over the course of the conference, participants engaged in inspiring keynote speeches, technical paper presentations across four specialized tracks, industry-led sessions, hands-on workshops, a dynamic exhibition, and an exciting hackathon. The program highlighted cutting-edge research, emerging technologies, and real-world applications shaping the next generation of connected electric, autonomous, and human-centric mobility systems.
On 8th February, three workshops were conducted: AI for Mobility, Digital Twins for Infrastructure, and Smart Mobility, offering participants practical insights into emerging technologies shaping the future of transportation systems.
During the opening ceremony, Dr. Sami El Ferik, Founding Director of the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Smart Mobility and Logistics (IRC-SML) and Conference General Chair, presented an overview of the conference program and its structure. He highlighted the remarkable global engagement, with more than 200 submissions representing over 30 countries and more than 180 institutions worldwide.
The conference hosted the Autonomous Mobility Hackathon, powered by Quanser and ATLAB, in collaboration with KFUPM’s Aerospace Engineering Department and sponsored by Yokogawa. Designed to empower young talent and provide them with a platform to apply their knowledge, develop innovative solutions, and tackle real-world challenges in autonomous mobility systems.
Special thanks to our strategic partner, Yokogawa, for sponsoring the conference. Yokogawa actively contributed to the conference through its exhibition booth, impactful presentations, and thoughtful participation in the panel discussion, all of which greatly enriched the overall dialogue and knowledge exchange.
We extend our sincere appreciation to our keynote speakers who traveled from around the world and enriched the conference with their valuable presentations and for their insightful contributions during the panel, “AI and Future of Mobility and Logistics.”
- Dr. Teresa Senserrick, University of Western Australia
A key highlight of SMiLE 2026 was the strong collaboration between academia and industry, fostering meaningful discussions on AI-driven mobility solutions, sustainable transportation, resilient logistics systems, and human–machine teaming. The Industry Panel Discussion, along with the Yokogawa, Aramco, SAR, and Waste to Wealth sessions, further enriched the conference through diverse perspectives and forward-looking discussions aimed at advancing the future of mobility and logistics ecosystems.
The conference also celebrated excellence through Best Presentation and Best Poster awards, recognizing outstanding research contributions across all tracks.
As we conclude this successful edition, the conversations, partnerships, and ideas sparked at SMiLE 2026 continue to drive innovation in smart mobility and logistics ecosystems.
More details about the event are available at SMiLE SMiLE 2026.
