Czechia to Showcase Autonomous Technologies and the Vision of Smart Regions at EXPO 2025 in Osaka. Business Program to Be Opened by Minister Kulhánek
At the World EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Czechia will focus on the future of transport and technology. As part of its business program in the Czech National Pavilion from July 8 to 10, 2025, it will present the Week of Autonomous Technologies. Visitors will experience cutting-edge innovations in smart mobility, safety systems, and infrastructure digitalisation. The program will be officially opened by the Minister of Regional Development, Petr Kulhánek, and the Commissioner General of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025, Ondřej Soška. The event is held under the auspices of the Regional Chamber of Commerce of the Karlovy Vary Region.
"The Ministry of Regional Development sees the advancement of autonomous mobility as part of a broader transition toward the concept of smart regions – areas that leverage technology to enhance safety, efficiency, and quality of life. We believe that collaboration between academia, research institutions, industry, and public administration is key to the long-term competitiveness of our regions," says Minister of Regional Development Petr Kulhánek, adding: "Regional chambers of commerce, such as the Chamber of Commerce of the Karlovy Vary Region, also play an important role in this process. Their support for innovation, technology transfer, and the connection of business and public sector entities is a great example of how regional institutions can effectively contribute to the development of the entire country."
Technologies That Save Lives and Improve Quality of Life
The program will begin with a presentation of Czechia’s vision for autonomous systems, accompanied by live demonstrations of technologies developed by the Information Technology Administration of the City of Plzeň (SITMP). Visitors will see drones and inspection tools used by emergency services, diagnostics for bridges and dams, aerial mapping of national parks, and live interventions by fire and rescue units.
The second day will spotlight student innovation. The eForce Prague Formula team from the Czech Technical University will present their autonomous race car, CTU.24, which competed in the prestigious international Formula Student competition. Visitors will get a behind-the-scenes look at the development of the electric formula car and its autonomous driving system, including live demonstrations of remote vehicle control and diagnostic system testing on a test track.
“At EXPO, we’ll show how autonomous technologies are transforming our lives and the opportunities they bring,” says Petr Vašta, head of the information and autonomous technologies section at the Regional Chamber of Commerce of the Karlovy Vary Region. He adds: “While some once called me a visionary or a dreamer, it’s now clear that autonomous mobility is not just the future – it’s already the present.”
Key Topics: Infrastructure, Investment, International Cooperation
The program will also feature a panel discussion on the development of infrastructure for autonomous mobility. Participants will include representatives from the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and CzechInvest, which will present the Smart Mobility Catalogue – an overview of Czech companies active in the field of intelligent transport.
The Week of Autonomous Technologies will also welcome Martin Hurajčík, Deputy Governor of the Karlovy Vary Region for Transport: “The Karlovy Vary Region aims to become a key hub for testing and implementing autonomous mobility in Czechia. A major milestone was the construction of the modern BMW test track near Sokolov. We are now preparing to launch an autonomous minibus in Mariánské Lázně and are investing in smart traffic systems that improve both safety and traffic flow. These are not just experiments, but real projects that show even a smaller region can be innovative and inspire others,” he notes.
Technological investments and the role of innovation centers will be presented by CTP, the national partner of Czechia’s participation at EXPO 2025. The company is a European leader in industrial and technology real estate and has long supported the growth of both startups and established businesses.
The third day will be dedicated to informal networking program, meetings with international partners, and visiting delegations.
Cultural Highlight: Štefan Margita Takes the Stage at EXPO
The evening program will offer an exceptional cultural experience – a performance by world-renowned tenor Štefan Margita. He will present three musical styles: opera, Czech folk songs, and French chansons. He will be accompanied by cellist Iris Moris and pianist Karel Vrtiška, whose sensitive musical interpretation will enhance the atmosphere of the evening receptions and social gatherings.
“World Expositions are the Olympics of business, academia, and innovation. They are the perfect opportunity not only to showcase the results of our work but also to build new international connections and open the door to collaborations that can bring Czech technologies to the forefront of global trends. Autonomous technologies represent a key area where Czechia can demonstrate its capacity to innovate and improve safety and efficiency in transport and industry,” concludes Ondřej Soška, Commissioner General of the Czech participation.
The Week of Autonomous Technologies will thus highlight Czechia’s contribution to shaping the digital future – with a focus on safety, sustainability, and technological excellence.