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Video highlights from a series of Australian panel sessions we held on the looming dawn of self-driving vehicles.

The introduction of CAVs has the potential to bring significant societal benefits, none less than the substantial increase in safety if implemented right. However with this change we will also see the transformation of a range of sectors as they adapt their offering to participate in the exciting new CAV world.

The possible applications of this technology straddle a variety of different sectors and will change not only the way people travel but the way that we live. To support deployment and optimise the benefits from adoption of these technologies, there is a need for regulatory and operational frameworks to be in place.

Herbert Smith Freehills recently hosted a series of panel discussions with expert speakers, discussing a range of topics within connected and autonomous vehicles and technologies. This video provides highlights of the key questions, challenges and potential solutions that were discussed during the panel sessions and that are expected to arise as connected and autonomous vehicles are developed and commercialised.

Speakers at the panel sessions included:

  • The Hon Andrew Constance MP, NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure
  • Tony Shepherd, former Chair of Transfield and the Westconnex Delivery Authority and former President of the Business Council of Australia
  • Niki Scevak, Co-Founder and Partner, Blackbird Ventures and investor in Zoox autonomous vehicle company
  • Anne Still, General Manager – Public Policy, RAC WA
  • Anna Wilson, Economist, Frontier Economics
  • Marcus Burke, Project Director, Compliance & Technology, National Transport Commission
  • David Harrington, Group Executive Strategy and Corporate Development, IAG
  • Stephen McDonald, General Manager Strategy, Transurban
  • Tibor Schwartz, Senior Consultant, QIC Global Infrastructure
  • Linda Koschier, Head of Partnerships, Future Energy and Business Development, Origin Energy
  • Nicolas Hohn, Senior Analytics Expert, McKinsey and Company; Chief Data Scientist, QuantumBlack
  • Kevin Bloch, Chief Technology Officer, Cisco

Herbert Smith Freehills’ participants included:

  • Nick Carney, Partner
  • Merryn Quayle, Partner
  • Damien Bailey, Partner
  • Michael Vrisakis, Partner
  • Guy Narburgh, Special Counsel
  • Susannah Wilkinson, Senior Associate
  • Matthew O’Leary, Senior Associate

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Key contacts

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Nicholas Carney

Global Co-Head of Infrastructure, Sydney

Nicholas Carney
Merryn Quayle photo

Merryn Quayle

Partner, Melbourne

Merryn Quayle
Guy Narburgh photo

Guy Narburgh

Special Counsel, Sydney

Guy Narburgh
Michael Vrisakis photo

Michael Vrisakis

Partner, Sydney

Michael Vrisakis
Susannah Wilkinson photo

Susannah Wilkinson

Director, Generative AI (Digital Change), Brisbane

Susannah Wilkinson

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Australia Brisbane Melbourne Perth Sydney Technology, Media and Telecommunications Infrastructure PPP Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Future Cities Nicholas Carney Merryn Quayle Guy Narburgh Michael Vrisakis Susannah Wilkinson