In a world where mobility is a cornerstone of freedom and opportunity, how do we ensure that movement is not only possible but safe, inclusive and empowering?

That’s one driving question behind Human Security for All (HS4A), a global campaign launched in June 2022 by the World Academy of Art & Science (WAAS) in partnership with the UN Human Security Trust Fund (UNTFHS). Inspired by the United Nations Development Programme’s 1994 Human Development Report, HS4A champions a human-centered approach to security, one that prioritizes dignity, safety and access for all. 

This vision was amplified during an 18-month global campaign which saw WAAS collaborate with more than 20 organizations and events to help spread these ideas. A significant partnership was established with CES®— the most powerful tech event in the world — from the outset, recognizing the overlap of technology, human wellbeing and safety. 

The HS4A campaign will return to CES 2026 for the fourth consecutive year. It has already reached millions of people and generated hundreds of creative responses to how we address some of the world’s biggest problems. One critical area for implementation is mobility.

Freedom of movement may be considered a fundamental right that involves physical integrity and human dignity, like the right to a healthy environment or a life free of violence. Despite the explosion of technology that allows us to connect digitally, physical travel from A to B is still a necessity for billions of people worldwide.

According to a 2023 report by the World Health Organization, every year around 1.2 million people die in car accidents, and between 20 and 50 million more suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability. Ninety-five percent of these accidents are due to human error. The challenge is clear: how do we build mobility systems that protect lives while preserving freedom?

In different parts of the world various approaches have been adopted, such as mobility that focuses on integrating technology to improve accessibility and protect vulnerable users and moving beyond traditional car-centric approaches. This includes intelligent transport systems and automated vehicle (AV) technology to reduce accidents, alongside innovations in micro-mobility, Mobility as a Service and assistive devices to create more flexible, sustainable and inclusive transportation options for everyone. But the real test lies in ensuring these advancements benefit all users, especially vulnerable groups such as pedestrians and cyclists, through better infrastructure and user-focused design.

Germany offers a compelling example with its commitment to "Vision Zero" — an ambitious goal to eliminate road fatalities. The aim is to reduce the number of traffic fatalities by 40% and serious injuries significantly by 2030. With the "Road Safety Pact," the German Federal Government, the federal states and other stakeholders have adopted, for the first time, a joint strategy for road safety to reach this goal. Under the slogan "Safe mobility - everybody is responsible, everyone is involved," the strategy combines the efforts of federal and local governments, industry and civilians. The measures are assigned to 12 fields of action. At present, the German Federal Government is focused on exploiting the potential of automated, autonomous and connected driving for better road safety, expanding the use of driver assistance systems, improving road infrastructure, as well as safe cycling.

Government policy is a powerful catalyst. New guidelines around Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles are paving the way for safer roads. And momentum is building. The growing deployment of robotaxis in the United States and internationally are one example, with Waymo expanding to San José Airport and Pony.ai launching in Doha, Qatar. New partnerships are also forming, such as BMW and Qualcomm launching an automated driving platform and Baidu and Lyft collaborating on AV deployment in Europe. On the regulatory front, the U.S. Department of Transportation is updating rules for autonomous vehicles without steering wheels or pedals to create a uniform set of rules and boost safety.

By 2030, Goldman Sachs estimates that up to 10% of global new car sales could be Level 3 autonomous vehicles. McKinsey & Company expects Level 3 and 4 systems designed for highway driving to become more widely available in the private car segment in Europe and North America. Currently, there were 250 automakers identified in the production of fully autonomous vehicles, and it is estimated that by 2030 the global autonomous vehicle market will be worth $2.3 trillion.

Despite the progress, key questions remain. What are the challenges for reaching human security centered mobility systems? What kind of scientific, conceptual, technological, legal and societal barriers are we facing? How can we establish an inclusive co-creation and co-design mechanism involving the most relevant parties from industry, government and civilians for advancing smart mobility through connected communities? 

A recent speech delivered at the United Nations in Geneva by Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute, highlighted the partnership between HS4A and CES as an example of how humanitarian issues can be successfully addressed through partnerships between civil society organizations and the private sector. 

These are some of the topics we’ll explore at CES 2026, in a dedicated panel organized by CTA in partnership with WAAS: “Advancing Human Security and Smart Mobility in Connected Communities.” Together, we’ll chart a path toward mobility systems that are not only smart — but safe, equitable and human-centered.