RSHC, Autonomous Vehicles Symposium 2026 (26 of 413)
May 15, 2026 Convene Willis Tower 233 S Wacker Dr, 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60606 9:40 AM - 9:50 AM OPENING REMARKS: TRACEY PAYNE, FIRST DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF AVIATION 10:00 AM - 10:40 AM Built for the Long Haul: Real-World AV Deployment in Transport and Logistics
Autonomous systems are not theoretical—they are operating today, at scale.
This panel focuses on deployed use cases across logistics, agriculture, and last-mile delivery, with an emphasis on systems designed specifically for autonomy. Panelists will examine how organizations are solving operational challenges from curb to destination—whether a rural field, warehouse, or urban high-rise. The discussion will highlight measurable outcomes: safety performance, cost efficiency, and scalability. Expect concrete case studies, implementation lessons, and a candid assessment of what it takes to move from pilot to sustained operations in complex, real-world environments.
Speakers:
Daniel Goff, Vice President of External Affairs, Kodiak AI
David Neal, Chief of Design, Mozee, Inc.
Ben James, Cofounder & CEO, Tubular Network
Moderator:
Jennifer Steeve, Partner, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP10:45 AM - 11:25 AM Risk on the Road: Underwriting the Autonomous Last Mile
When a vehicle drives itself, liability shifts—and so must insurance.
Autonomous delivery systems and driverless vehicles are already operating in public environments, challenging core assumptions in tort liability and risk allocation. This panel examines how insurers, manufacturers, operators, and regulators are redefining responsibility when no human driver is present. Topics include fault attribution, product versus operator liability, and the use of real-time data in underwriting and claims. The discussion will also address the evolving regulatory landscape shaping coverage frameworks. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of how risk is being priced, transferred, and litigated at the intersection of autonomy and mobility.
Speakers:
Diane Rodgers, Senior Director Insurance Law, Global, Uber Technologies Inc.
Alex Tsetsenekos, Founder, Archimedes Analytics LLC
Moderator:
Kate Stimeling, Partner, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP11:30 AM - 11:40 AM Networking Break 11:40 AM - 12:00 PM KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Networking Break & LUNCH 12:50 PM - 1:10 PM KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Kulbir Colin Singh Dhillon, Business Development and Strategy Lead, NuPort Robotics Inc. 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM Fireside Chat: Jordan Taylor
Speaker:
Jordan Taylor, Co-founder & CEO, Vizcom
Jordan Taylor, a 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient and co-founder of Vizcom Technologies, a company specializing in AI-driven industrial design tools with clients like Ford and New Balance, will discuss how he’s not merely building a company but solving a problem.
Interviewed by:
Patricia Brown Holmes, Managing Partner, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP1:45 PM - 1:55 PM Networking Break 2:00 PM - 2:40 PM Autonomy in Action: Deployment in Mining and Heavy Industry
High-risk environments are leading the way in autonomous adoption.
Autonomous vehicles are already embedded in mining and other heavy industries, where scale, safety, and efficiency demands are acute. This panel explores how companies are operationalizing autonomy in controlled but high-consequence settings. Key issues include safety assurance, workforce integration, regulatory oversight, and system reliability at scale. Panelists will share field-level insights on deployment challenges, stakeholder trust, and the transition from pilot programs to full production. The session offers a grounded view of how autonomy performs under real operational pressure.
Speakers:
Erica Baird, Executive Director, Cummins, Inc.
Raghavender Sahdev, President & CEO, NuPort Robotics Inc.
Matt Watkinson, Senior Director of Autonomous Systems, Komatsu
Moderators:
Joshua L. Roquemore, Associate, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP
Madeline Hooks, Associate, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP2:45 PM - 3:20 PM Cleared for Coverage: Insurance Frontiers in Advanced Air Mobility
Low-altitude, autonomous flight is here—and the risk framework is still catching up.
Advanced air mobility—including drones and air taxis—is redefining the boundaries of aviation risk. This panel examines how insurers and regulators are addressing novel exposures in low-altitude, often autonomous operations. Topics include underwriting for unmanned systems, gaps in traditional aviation coverage, and liability allocation across manufacturers, operators, and service platforms. The discussion will also consider regulatory developments shaping certification, airspace integration, and insurance requirements. Attendees will leave with a clearer view of how risk is being structured in this emerging layer of mobility.
Speakers:
Jeffrey Morof, Partner, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP
Chris Proudlove, SVP, Great American Insurance Group
David Smith, President & CEO, Robinson Helicopter
Moderator:
Shalem A. Massey, Partner, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP
