November 17, 2025
Join Hyundai CRADLE & Plug and Play for the 10th edition of the Mobility Innovators Forum, where the brightest minds in the mobility ecosystem share insights on emerging innovations and redefine the values shaping the industry’s future.
Join us for the 10th edition of the Mobility Innovators Forum, where the brightest minds in the mobility ecosystem share insights on emerging innovations and redefine the values shaping the industry's future.
Featuring insightful keynote presentations, engaging panel discussions, and startup pitches around the topics of AI and EV affordability in the mobility industry.

AGENDA

9:30 AM – 10:15 AM

Guest Check-in & Breakfast

Start your day with breakfast and networking opportunities, connecting with fellow mobility innovators.
10:15 AM – 10:20 AM

Opening Remarks

Welcome and introduction to the forum, setting the stage for an inspiring day of discussions and insights.

Brendon Kim (Head of Silicon Valley Office, Hyundai CRADLE)
10:20 AM – 10:50 AM

Keynote Presentation

Explore the latest trends affecting the automotive industry and shaping the future of mobility.

Steve Westly (Founder & Managing Partner, The Westly Group)
10:50 AM – 11:05 AM

Robotics Presentations

Discover cutting-edge robotics solutions in mobility and manufacturing.

Monica Xie (Head of Business Operations and Partnerships, Dyna Robotics)
Peter M. Howard (Co-founder & CEO, Realtime Robotics Inc.)
Yuzhe Qin (CTO, Dexmate)
10:50 AM – 11:05 AM

Break

11:05 AM – 11:20 AM

Robotics Presentations & Panel

Interactive panel discussion with leading robotics innovators.

Kishor Veerashekar (Senior Ventures Associate, Plug and Play)
Monica Xie (Head of Business Operations and Partnerships, Dyna Robotics)
Peter M. Howard (Co-founder & CEO, Realtime Robotics Inc.)
Yuzhe Qin (CTO, Dexmate)
11:35 AM – 11:55 AM

Keynote: Waymo

Learn more about the adoption of autonomous driving.

Jackie Hyun (Head of Marketing, Waymo)
11:55 AM – 12:20 PM

AI & Vehicle Experiences Panel

Delve into real-world AI applications in vehicles, including enhancing safety, efficiency, and user experience.

Siyuan Dai (Open Innovation Manager, Hyundai CRADLE)
Eric Wood (42dot.ai)
Kyle Taylor (Senior Manager, Infotainment Software, Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc.)
Pablo Sauras Perez (Staff Product Manager, Mercedes-Benz R&D North America)
12:20 PM – 12:45 PM

AV Deployments Panel

Insights into AI accelerating autonomous vehicles, robotaxis, and trucking deployments.

Tara Andringa (Executive Director, Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE))
Nitin Kapania (Principal Engineer & Team Lead, Motional)
David Liu (CEO, PlusAI)
12:45 PM – 1:55 PM

Lunch & Networking

Enjoy a catered lunch while networking with industry peers and leaders in mobility and technology.
1:55 PM – 2:15 PM

Keynote Presentation

Explore trends in affordable electric vehicles and the global competition shaping accessibility and innovation.
2:20 PM – 2:45 PM

$30K Car

Learn about lowering EV costs, battery reuse, and sustainable solutions for accessible mobility.

Tafflyn Toy (Open Innovation Sr. Manager, Hyundai CRADLE)
Sungjun Maing (Founder, DriveTech Odyssey)
Sarah Samoira (Hyundai Motor America)
2:45 PM – 3:10 PM

EV Affordability Presentations

Be inspired by startups addressing vehicle and component costs to make more affordable EVs.

Erik de Winter (Founder & CCO, Rise Global)
Yao Zhai (Co-founder & GM Americas, U Power Robotics)
Forrest North (CTO & Co-founder, Telo Trucks)
3:10 PM – 3:25 PM

EV Affordability Panel Discussion

Panel discussion on making more affordable EVs.

Clara De Ros (Senior Ventures Associate, Plug and Play)
Erik de Winter (Founder & CCO, Rise Global)
Yao Zhai (Co-founder & GM Americas, U Power Robotics)
Forrest North (CTO & Co-founder, Telo Trucks)
3:25 PM – 3:50 PM

VC Panel: Investment in Mobility

Hear from venture investors on emerging technologies, cost-reduction strategies, and opportunities in AI, robotics, and battery innovations.

Cassidy Shell (Vice President, Mobility Impact Partners)
Betty Lee (Principal, Woven Capital)
Clara Brenner (Managing Partner, Urban Innovation Fund)
Burak Cendek (Partner, Autotech Ventures)
Emily Fritze (Partner, The Westly Group)
4:00 PM – 4:05 PM

Closing Remarks

Wrap up the forum with key takeaways and a look ahead at the future of mobility innovation.

Brendon Kim (Head of Silicon Valley Office, Hyundai CRADLE)
4:05 PM – 5:30 PM

Networking Reception

ABOUT

Hyundai CRADLE is Hyundai Motor Group’s global open innovation hub, with offices in Silicon Valley, Tel Aviv, Berlin, Beijing, and Seoul. It invests in and partners with startups, accelerates breakthrough technologies, and explores new business models across mobility, smart cities, robotics, artificial intelligence, energy, and sustainability. CRADLE serves as a bridge between Hyundai and the world’s most innovative ecosystems, driving transformation beyond traditional automotive into the future of mobility and everyday living. 
cradleinc.com 
Plug and Play Tech Center is the world’s largest innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices in over 50 locations worldwide, Plug and Play runs accelerator programs, corporate innovation services, and an in-house VC arm. The platform invests in early-stage companies and helps them scale by facilitating partnerships with over 550 leading corporate partners. Its mission is to drive technological advancement by bringing together the best entrepreneurs and organizations to solve the world’s biggest challenges across industries such as mobility, energy, fintech, health, and sustainability. 
pnptc.com

November 17, 2025 

440 N Wolfe Rd. 
Sunnyvale, CA 94085 

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.