April 07, 2026
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 09:00 | EDCC Registration |
| 09:00 – 09:30 | U-SPACE 2026 Welcome and Introduction (Chair) |
| 09:30 – 10:30 |
Keynote – Dr Colin Paterson (University of York) “Safety in the Presence of Uncertainty: Understanding AI-Driven Autonomous Systems” Abstract: AI and autonomous systems are set to revolutionise the way we interact with our world. However, integrating autonomous reasoning with cyber-physical systems challenges our traditional models for safety assurance. Without appropriate assurance, such systems will never be allowed into the environments where they can deliver their promise. In this talk, Colin will take a systems-focused view of autonomous systems development to explore the challenges of arguing safety in dynamic, safety-critical environments. Through this lens, he will show not only how AI and autonomy challenge traditional safety norms, but also how we can provide assurance for the components we develop for perception, operational understanding, and decision making. Biography: Colin is a Senior Lecturer in the University of York’s Department of Computer Science, where his research considers the safety of autonomous systems. In particular, he is interested in uncertainty, its quantification and impact as it propagates through systems which incorporate AI components. Colin’s work develops tools and techniques which allow scientists and engineers to assess and understand systems in a contextually meaningful manner. His work has influenced policy as well as industrial guidance in defence, healthcare, automotive and energy regulation. After receiving a PhD in Control Theory in 1993, Colin worked extensively in industry through the dot.com boom, before returning to academia in 2014 to undertake a PhD on the probabilistic verification of operational processes. Today, Colin works Institute for Safe Autonomy and is the training director for the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Safe Artificial Intelligence Systems (SAINTS) where he is responsible for training future leaders with the research expertise and skills to ensure that the benefits of AI systems are realised without introducing harm as the systems and their environments evolve. |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Comfort Break (Tea/Coffee) |
| 11:00 – 12:30 |
Technical Session – Accepted Papers
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| 12:30 – 13:30 | Conference Lunch |
| 13:30 – 15:00 |
Group Discussion and Troubleshooting Session “Operationalisation challenges regarding UAV telemetry processing for accountability, safety, and Command & Control (C2) purposes.” Abstract: The large-scale integration of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) into civilian airspace under emerging U-space frameworks depends on robust, secure, and accountable telemetry infrastructures. While digital skies and future air mobility initiatives have demonstrated promising technological capabilities, significant operationalisation challenges remain in processing real-time telemetry for safety-critical Command & Control (C2). This session is structured as a guided group problem-solving activity, aligned with the U-SPACE Workshop 2026 focus on dependability, security, and resilience in future airspace systems. Rather than a traditional panel, participants will work in facilitated groups to analyse and propose solutions to key challenges in scaling telemetry systems, including latency, reliability, and integrity in dense and heterogeneous communication environments. Each group will be guided through realistic operational scenarios requiring telemetry pipelines to deliver verifiable accountability while meeting strict performance constraints for automated and beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Participants, drawn from industry, academia, and regulatory communities across Europe and the United Kingdom, including contributors connected to the SESAR Joint Undertaking for Digital and Future Airspace, will collaboratively explore targeted problem areas. These include designing privacy-preserving network protocols that balance transparency with data protection obligations; identifying mechanisms to prevent unauthorised sensing and mitigate side-channel surveillance risks; and developing interoperability and assurance frameworks for integrating telemetry streams into U-space/UTM ecosystems. Facilitators will support structured discussion, synthesis, and reporting across groups, enabling comparison of approaches and identification of shared constraints. The session will conclude with a consolidation of insights, highlighting practical pathways to bridge the gap between research prototypes and deployable systems. The goal is to co-develop actionable recommendations for resilient, trustworthy telemetry architectures that support safe, socially accepted, and scalable cross-border UAV operations. Invited Panelists:
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| 15:00 – 15:30 | Closing Remarks and Farewell |