XPONENTIAL 2027 brings together experts from across the autonomy ecosystem to explore how uncrewed and robotic systems are transforming operations in maritime and ocean science domains. With a growing emphasis on resilience, real-world implementation, and autonomous capability, this year’s event focuses on how autonomy is being adopted across critical sectors, including ocean surveillance, maritime robotics, and infrastructure monitoring.
Through immersive sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities, participants will explore the role of autonomy in securing and managing the ocean environment, enhancing national defense, and advancing scientific research.
Further details will be announced soon. In the meantime, please refer to the previous event information below.
When is XPONENTIAL 2026?
XPONENTIAL 2026 will take place from May 11–14, 2026. The event begins with Educational Sessions on May 11 and Exhibits open on May 12.
What’s On?
Image Credit: AUVSI
The 2026 edition will host over 8,500 professionals from industry, government, and academia. Attendees will engage in more than 100 sessions curated across six strategic tracks: Policy, Governance & Global Strategy; Strategic Resilience; Technology in Motion; Enterprise Operations & Ecosystem Integration; Building the Workforce of Autonomy; and Autonomy in Action.
Session formats include keynote addresses, panel discussions, breakout sessions, working groups, and co-located events. New elements for 2026 include hands-on demonstrations and government-led roundtables connecting public agencies with developers and end-users to align on regulatory and operational priorities across air, ground, and maritime environments.
Themes
The 2026 program emphasizes:
- Real-world deployment of autonomous systems
- Policy and governance
- Cybersecurity and regulation
- Data, analytics, and system resilience
- Building a skilled workforce in ocean technology
- Scaling autonomous platforms for scientific and defense applications
A Look Back at Last Year
Speakers
Past speakers have represented leading organizations such as the FAA, NOAA, MITRE, NASA, Skydio, and Shield AI, offering insights into regulation, defense innovation, infrastructure, and maritime operations. The 2026 speaker lineup will continue to feature senior officials, program managers, and engineers contributing to the development and governance of autonomous maritime systems.
Workshops
Workshops at XPONENTIAL 2026 will dive into practical applications, with sessions focused on maritime use cases like underwater inspections, marine surveying, critical infrastructure protection, and uncrewed surface and subsurface platforms. These interactive sessions, held May 11–13, require a Full Conference Pass and are built around peer collaboration and problem-solving.
Tech Pavilions
The show floor will feature designated areas including the Maritime Pavilion, Cybersecurity Pavilion, Defense Zone, and Public Safety Pavilion, among others. Each pavilion highlights domain-specific technologies with live demonstrations, exhibitor showcases, and targeted presentations.
Previous Highlights
In 2025, XPONENTIAL hosted over 275 professionals at a sold-out networking event and led packed sessions on public safety, autonomy integration, and regulatory innovation. The 2026 edition builds on that momentum with expanded programming, co-located events like MDEX, and deeper focus on defense technologies through the Defense Technologies Zone.
Where is XPONENTIAL 2026?
Huntington Place
1 Washington Boulevard
Detroit, Michigan
United States
To learn more about XPONENTIAL 2027, to register to attend or exhibit, please click below .
