From 24 to 26 March 2026, XPONENTIAL Europe will take place in Düsseldorf for the second time. Following its successful premiere in 2025, which welcomed 200 exhibitors from more than 30 countries, the leading trade fair once again showcases cutting-edge innovations in autonomous technologies and robotics. As the official connectivity partner, Vodafone provides the technological backbone for spectacular live demonstrations with a private 5G campus network.
1. Vodafone will once again serve as the Connectivity Partner of XPONENTIAL Europe in 2026. What makes this partnership strategically valuable for you?
Michael Bösinger: "This partnership allows us to clearly demonstrate the critical role of secure, high-performance mobile connectivity. In fields such as defense, autonomous systems and robotics, reliable networks are not optional – they are fundamental to operational success. By providing our network infrastructure and advanced technologies, and by working closely with industry partners, we help create the conditions for complex systems to operate seamlessly and at scale."
2. What role does XPONENTIAL Europe play for Vodafone in showcasing its innovation projects in 5G and autonomous systems to an international audience?
Stephan Schneider: "XPONENTIAL Europe provides an important international platform for Vodafone to present defense-related innovation projects centered on 5G. The event brings together industry, public authorities, research institutions and start-ups, creating an ecosystem in which real-world collaboration takes place. In this setting, we can demonstrate how our solutions perform in practical, operational environments. We emphasize that technologies such as Mobile Private Networks, 5G and secure IoT connectivity do not operate in isolation, but form a powerful, integrated infrastructure. Most importantly, XPONENTIAL Europe allows visitors to experience our innovations first-hand, rather than just hearing about them.
3. The 5G campus network you provide is a central foundation of the event. What concrete benefits does it offer to exhibitors and visitors and how do your experiences from 2025 feed into this?
Michael Bösinger: "Vodafone’s private 5G campus network provides exhibitors and visitors with a highly stable, high-speed and ultra-low-latency connectivity environment throughout the event. This enables exhibitors to demonstrate technologies such as robots or remotely operated systems securely and in real time, directly on site. Visitors, in turn, experience first-hand how these technologies perform in practical applications. Based on our experience from the 2025 edition, we know how critical network stability and continuous monitoring are – especially for complex and mission-critical use cases. These insights allow us to further optimize the network for 2026 and to deliver an even more robust foundation for demanding live demonstrations.
4. What innovations or use cases can we expect in 2026 at the intersection of 5G and autonomous systems?
Stephan Schneider: "Key use cases include the deployment of robots and remotely operated systems controlled via dedicated private 5G networks. Artificial intelligence will also play an important role, for example in the transmission and analysis of video and situational data for security and defense applications. These innovations demonstrate how stable and secure connectivity enables faster decision-making and enhances the resilience and reliability of complex systems."
5. Data security within the campus network is a key aspect. Why is this so central for Vodafone, and how do your solutions differ from standard approaches?
Michael Bösinger: "Especially in the defense sector – which is a core focus of our presence at XPONENTIAL Europe – data security and digital sovereignty are fundamental requirements. This is why Vodafone relies on private networks with clear data ownership, defined security architectures and controlled access mechanisms. Our solutions are designed from the outset for mission-critical applications and therefore go well beyond traditional public network approaches. In doing so, we provide a secure and trustworthy foundation for sensitive and highly regulated operational scenarios."
6. Both Messe Düsseldorf and Vodafone are deeply rooted in the region. What role does this local connection play in an international partnership such as XPONENTIAL Europe?
Stephan Schneider: "The strong regional presence of both Vodafone and Messe Düsseldorf enables close collaboration with local partners while at the same time allowing global innovation to benefit from local expertise. Especially in the defense and public-sector environment, trust, proximity, and a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks are essential. By combining our regional strength with international experience, we are able to demonstrate new technologies in a practical, real-world context and position them successfully on a global stage."
7. Looking ahead, what role will connectivity—from 5G to future technologies—play in the ecosystem of autonomous systems?
Michael Bösinger: "Connectivity is the nervous system of autonomous systems. Already today, 5G enables real-time communication and provides the foundation for secure and efficient operations. Looking ahead, connectivity and network technologies will be further enhanced by edge integration, resilient architectures, and pre-integrated network solutions. Autonomous systems will only succeed if connectivity is designed to be secure, sovereign, and mission-critical—and this is exactly what we work on every day."
8. What excites you most about XPONENTIAL Europe and Vodafone's role as connectivity partner?
Stephan Schneider: "What excites me about XPONENTIAL Europe is that I can experience new technologies firsthand—not just as an idea, but in real-world applications. As a Vodafone employee, I am delighted to be contributing to making these innovations safe and reliable. It is exciting to see how 5G and autonomous systems work together to create real-world solutions. This shows me in concrete terms how important our work is."
