Innovation in Motion: Highlights from the Samson Smart Mobility Summit
Written by Liza Yedwab, Business Development Manager
Every month, we highlight a few Israeli companies we’ve come across. This month, Liat and I attended a mobility conference in Israel, read more about their experience and a couple of the companies they met while they were there.
I’m excited to share a few highlights from the 9th Samson International Smart Mobility Summit, held on May 17–18, 2026 at Expo Tel Aviv. Organized by Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, the summit brought together more than 3,000 participants, industry leaders, startups, policymakers, investors, and innovators, to explore where the future of mobility is heading and who is helping shape it. The Startup Exhibition was truly one of the highlights of the summit, featuring more than 90 startups showcasing technologies across autonomous vehicles, drones, energy, logistics, robotics, smart infrastructure, and more.
What stood out to me most was not only the level of innovation, but also the energy throughout the event. Despite the challenges Israel has faced over the past year, the business and innovation community continues to show incredible resilience, determination, and optimism. You could really feel that spirit throughout the summit.
AI is Already Reshaping Mobility
One of the clearest themes across the summit was how quickly AI is becoming part of everyday transportation and mobility systems. The conversations were less about futuristic ideas and more about real technologies already being implemented today.
Whether it was autonomous driving, smarter fleet management, predictive maintenance, or intelligent public transportation systems, AI is clearly becoming a core part of how mobility operates.
This was especially noticeable in public transportation, where AI is helping improve efficiency, routing, and responsiveness to real-time demand. Israeli companies like Mobileye, Optibus, and Moovit continue to demonstrate how Israeli innovation can create meaningful global impact at scale.
Electrification and Sustainability
Another major focus throughout the summit was sustainability and electrification. Leaders from Israel’s Ministry of Transport emphasized that clean transportation is not only an environmental priority, but also a major economic opportunity.
A few trends came up repeatedly in conversations throughout the event:
- Wireless EV charging technologies are advancing quickly, with Israeli companies playing an important role in development.
- Transportation and energy systems are becoming increasingly connected and integrated.
- As infrastructure improves and operating costs decrease, electrification is becoming more practical and economically attractive.
Cybersecurity and Connected Mobility
As vehicles become more connected and software-driven, cybersecurity is becoming an even more critical part of the mobility ecosystem. Discussions throughout the summit focused on emerging risks, evolving regulations, and the growing need for mobility-specific cyber solutions.
Why This Matters to MIBA
The summit reinforced something we strongly believe at MIBA: Israeli innovation and Michigan industry are natural partners.
Many of the technologies highlighted in Tel Aviv, from AI-driven transit and wireless EV charging to vehicle cybersecurity and autonomous logistics, align closely with Michigan’s mobility priorities and strengths.
We’re excited to continue building on the connections made during the summit and exploring new opportunities for collaboration between the Israeli and Michigan ecosystems.
Companies We See Potential in Bringing to Michigan
We identified several companies with strong potential for collaboration and market fit in Michigan. Two that especially stood out are:
ElssWay is working to make wireless EV charging more accessible through its wireless power transfer technology and Charging-as-a-Service model. Their approach could help improve charging accessibility for drivers, fleets, and municipalities while reducing infrastructure complexity
City Transformer is developing compact electric vehicles designed specifically for urban mobility. Their vehicles combine the flexibility and maneuverability of smaller transportation solutions with the comfort and safety of a traditional car, offering a creative approach to urban transportation challenges.
