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WORKSHOP
Trustworthy Autonomy and Collaboration in Smart Systems
Date: 21 May 2026
Location: Mälardalen University, Västerås (U2-016)
Registration: free registration through Google Docs
Autonomous systems are rapidly becoming decision-makers in society—from industrial automation and auton-omous vehicles to healthcare technologies. But as these systems gain autonomy, a fundamental question arises:
How can we ensure that intelligent systems are not onlycapable - but truly trustworthy in real-world deployment?
This workshop brings together researchers and industry representatives to explore howtrust, collaboration,and adaptabilitycan be designed into AI-driven systems operating in complex, real-world environments.Drawing on ongoing research at Mälardalen University within the Trusted Smart Systems (TSS) profile area,the workshop highlights how autonomy must be combined withverifiability, resilience, and human-centricdesignto enable dependable systems in safety-critical and industrial contexts.
Focus of the Workshop
A central ambition of the workshop is to bridge research and industrial practice. The programme will highlighthow cutting-edge research can address concrete challenges faced by industry, including safety assurance, cyber-security, scalability, and integration of AI into existing systems. Through industrial input and research presentations, the workshop will explore:
- How research ontrustworthy autonomycan support real-world industrial deployment
- Methods for ensuringsafe, secure, and reliable collaborationin complex system-of-systems settings
- Approaches to integrating AI-driven decision-making into industrial processeswhile maintaining control andaccountability
- Mechanisms for translating advanced research results intopractical tools, frameworks, and engineeringpractices
An industrial perspective from ABB Robotics will provide concrete examples of current challenges andopportunities.
Questions?
Please contact Hans Hansson.
Programme
08:15 – 08:45 Registration
08:45 – 09:00 Welcome and introduction
09:00 – 09:35 Industrial challenges and perspectives (G. Flodström,ABB Robotics)
09:35 – 10:10 Efficient and Safe Orchestration of System of Systems (S. Punnekkat, MDU)
10:10 – 10:25 Break and refreshments
10:25 – 11:00 AI-based Health Monitoring (M. Lindén/S. Abdullah, MDU)
11:00 – 11:35 Disconnecting from the ‘World’: Why Wireless Security Is Essential for Trustworthy Systems(A. Arghavani, MDU)
11:35 – 12:00 Panel and open discussion
Speakers
Gustaf Flodström
VP R&D and Head of Global R&D Projects at ABB Robotics, leading global
programs and new product development of robot systems. His teams drive innovation in
industrial and collaborative robotics, leveraging AI, software, and modular platforms to scale
performance, reliability, and customer value.
Abbas Arghavani
Associate Senior Lecturer at Mälardalen University (MDU), focusing on secure wireless communications, including RF-based threat detection, covert communication, and methods to enhance the trustworthiness of wireless systems in real-world environments.
Maria Lindén
Professor and leader of the Biomedical Engineering research group at MDU. Her research focuses on multisensor systems for measurements of physiological parameters.
Saad Abdullah
Associate senior lecturer at MDU. His research focuses on technical advancement of non-invasive monitoring and digital health solutions, including AI-based trusted smart system for real-time cardiovascular health monitoring.
Sasikumar Punnekkat
Professor and leader of the Dependable Software Engineering research group at MDU. His research explores methods, processes and assurance guarantees for dependable software systems (with specific focus on safety, security and timeliness properties).