VDA and Eclipse Foundation expand SDV software ecosystem “S-CORE is the blueprint” The Eclipse Foundation and Germany’s automotive industry association VDA are significantly expanding their open-source ecosystem for SDVs. Their S-CORE initiative aims to create a shared software foundation that reduces development effort and shortens time to market. ADT editorial team
How Stellantis and Bolt are shaping Europe’s robotaxi ambitions Europe’s robotaxi momentum ADT editorial team
Strategic automotive tech deal Harman strengthens ADAS position with ZF acquisition Harman is acquiring ZF’s ADAS business, reinforcing its position in centralised vehicle architectures and software-defined vehicles. The move expands Harman’s automotive portfolio with compute platforms, sensors and advanced driver assistance software. ADT editorial team 13 January 2026
Data centres, cloud architectures and real-time processing Why digital infrastructure is becoming the backbone of future mobility A recent study by Digital Realty highlights how data centres, cloud architectures and real-time processing are turning into critical success factors for the automotive industry. Insights from 215 executives show where the sector stands — and where the real bottlenecks lie. ADT editorial team 5 January 2026
Interview with Thomas Buck, ZF “Our goal must be to end up with a single-digit number of ERP systems” Since January 2025, Thomas Buck has been CIO at ZF, driving the German company’s IT transformation with a fresh perspective. In the following interview, he explains how he is reshaping IT, what challenges lie ahead, and why architecture plays a decisive role. Pascal Nagel 2 January 2026
Ready for autonomy — but not without doubts How Germans really feel about autonomous driving Autonomous mobility is gaining acceptance in Germany. Many expect quieter streets, smoother traffic and greater safety and comfort. Despite concerns around technology, legislation and costs, most respondents show strong openness to self-driving systems. ADT editorial team 27 December 2025
4.2 GB/s bandwidth Micron launches Automotive-UFS-4.1 Micron launches Automotive-UFS-4.1 with data rates of up to 4.2 GB/s, targeting the growing performance demands of AI-driven, connected and software-defined vehicle systems. ADT editorial team 22 December 2025
ADAS in the Middle East Mercedes, Momenta and Lumo launch robotaxi fleet in Abu Dhabi Mercedes-Benz is teaming up with Chinese autonomous driving specialist Momenta and UAE taxi operator Lumo to deploy a luxury robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi. The Level-4 fleet will be based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and is set to begin operations next year. Benjamin Müller 18 December 2025
ADAS and HMI Audi sharpens driver assistance and cockpit experience across key models Audi is introducing a comprehensive digital and hardware refresh for several PPE- and PPC-based vehicles. The update focuses on smarter assistance systems, revised user interfaces and expanded in-car entertainment features. ADT editorial team 17 December 2025
New entertainment and productivity features Mercedes-Benz updates MBUX Mercedes-Benz is rolling out a fresh update package for its third-generation MBUX system, adding retro games, Dolby Atmos audio and direct Teams call integration. ADT editorial team 15 December 2025
Interview with Hanna Lukashevich, Fraunhofer IDMT “Multimodal design must follow a less-is-more philosophy” As audio-driven interfaces expand in next-gen cabins, lighting must stay precise, safe and tightly synchronised. Hanna Lukashevich from Fraunhofer IDMT explains how audio-reactive lighting evolves into robust, multimodal interior systems. Benjamin Müller 11 December 2025
Urban mobility technology Parkopedia and Hyundai AutoEver launch indoor navigation solution Parkopedia and Hyundai AutoEver have introduced Europe’s first seamless in-car indoor navigation system. It guides vehicles to precise parking bays or charging points — without GPS. This innovation could simplify mobility in dense city settings. ADT editorial team 27 November 2025
China’s tech momentum Chinese brands force Europe to rethink its strategy Chinese manufacturers now set the pace in connected-car innovation, yet German OEMs still hold important advantages. The decisive question will be how quickly they can convert these strengths into competitive progress. ADT editorial team 21 November 2025
Production launch next year SAE Level 3 assistance system with ZF expertise goes into production in 2026 ZF and the Chinese company Horizon Robotics announce the production launch of a driver assistance system (ADAS) that supports SAE Level 3 and the Chinese Urban Navigate on Autopilot (Urban NOA). Götz Fuchslocher 17 November 2025
New business models in digital mobility When the car picks up the bill As mobility becomes more digital, tokenisation offers new ways to manage payments, component histories and vehicle identities. German manufacturers are now testing blockchain to bring these concepts into real operations. ADT editorial team
Digital twins drive chip development Siemens and Saicec accelerate SDV chip validation Siemens and Saicec plan to speed up the validation of automotive chips by applying advanced digital-twin technology. Their joint approach targets faster certification cycles and more reliable system-level testing. ADT editorial team
Conversational AI Technology Polestar plans full rollout of Google Gemini across its line-up Polestar and Google have unveiled the new Gemini AI assistant inside the Polestar 5. The system promises more natural in-car conversations and will be introduced step by step across all Polestar models from 2026 onwards. ADT editorial team
