5 Learnings from Ludwigsburg
AEK 2025: SDV, AI & Mega-Alliances in Focus
Artificial intelligence, software-defined vehicles (SDV), and cooperative platform solutions were the focus of the 29th AUTOMOBIL-ELEKTRONIK Kongress. Under the main theme "Navigating through Global Complexity," industry representatives discussed how complexity, standardisation, and collaboration can be mastered.
Matthias Baumgartner
The AUTOMOBIL-ELEKTRONIK Kongress 2025 has highlighted key challenges and future topics of the automotive industry – from AI to SDV to new partnerships. Here are five topics that shaped the event.
The AUTOMOBIL-ELEKTRONIK Kongress (AEK) 2025 in Ludwigsburg was a wake-up call for the entire industry. Under the theme "Navigating through Global Complexity: Architecture and Platform Solutions for Scaling SDVs," decision-makers gathered on 24 and 25 June to discuss the strategic realignment of the automotive industry. Congress Chairman Ricky Hudi summed it up: "Only those who master complexity, standardisation, and collaboration will lead."
Pandemics, chip crises, geopolitical tensions, growing competitive pressure from China, and disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) have pushed and continue to push the industry to its limits - and beyond. The AEK 2025 made it clear: The shift to the software-defined vehicle (SDV) is not a hype, but an existential necessity. The focus was not only on strategic fundamental discussions but on concrete technological and organisational solutions along the entire stack.
Here are five key takeaways from AEK 2025 that make the industry's transformation tangible:
1. Mastering the Unstoppable Complexity of the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV)
The transformation to the software-defined vehicle is no longer a vision but a lived reality - with a significant increase in technical and organisational complexity. New vehicle platforms must be conceived as zonal, modular, centralised, and AI-integrated, as well as efficient, robust, and economical. In Ludwigsburg, there was repeated talk of systematic architectures, end-to-end toolchains, and a clear separation between hardware and software.
BMW is pursuing this path, for example, with its zonal vehicle architecture, which is based on four central control units. According to Stephan Durach, this has reduced the variance of the wiring harness by a factor of 3000, significantly lowering weight, costs, and production effort. Mercedes-Benz is also relying on MBOS, an OTA-capable system architecture that makes all ECUs updatable and decouples hardware and software. Martin Haselbach emphasized that after the SOP, the real journey only begins - the car evolves into a revenue machine over its lifecycle.
2. Artificial Intelligence: Ubiquitous, Transformative, and Risky
AI permeates the automotive industry at all levels - from the development process to manufacturing and into the vehicle itself. Edge AI was a central topic, as decisions in safety-critical situations must be made locally, quickly, and reliably. The rapid increase in computing demand due to generative AI models was also discussed, increasing by an impressive 275 times in two years!
Harman introduced Luna, an AI avatar that can interact empathetically, context-sensitively, and in a safety-enhancing manner. CorrActions presented a software-based solution that recognizes the driver's cognitive state based on existing vehicle signals - without additional sensors or cameras. The goal: almost zero false alarms with maximum data protection.
At the same time, there is great concern about the safety and robustness of such systems. Max Cheng from VicOne made it clear that generative AI is not just a tool, but a new supplier in the automotive supply chain. This is associated with risks such as data leaks, manipulated models, or prompt injection. This refers to an attack technique against AI language models, where someone deliberately inserts texts into an input to manipulate the model - for example, to overwrite instructions, bypass security mechanisms, or extract confidential information. Systematic risk management, including penetration tests and real-time monitoring, is therefore essential. Jyotika Athavale from Synopsys and the IEEE Computer Society also emphasized that while standards define the goal, they do not define the path to it - which is why a continuous dependability lifecycle is necessary.
3. Cooperation and Open Source as a Strategic Lever
One of the many highlights of AEK 2025 was the presentation of the open-source initiative S-CORE. Under the umbrella of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) and the Eclipse Foundation, eleven companies announced a joint software project aimed at providing operational, certifiable, and reusable code.
BMW emphasised that open source is a modern means of standardisation. The company has already contributed almost half a million lines of code to the shared repository. Mercedes-Benz has opened its diagnostic software to the Eclipse community to accelerate innovation through community contributions. It also became clear: open source is not a free tool, but an independent business model with clear licensing and compliance requirements.
The joint Foundational Vehicle Software Platform by QNX, Vector, and TTTech Auto follows a similar approach. It aims to reduce software complexity in the vehicle while providing OEMs with a secure, certifiable, and scalable platform. The model allows for community contributions but protects commercial exploitability. Continental and Aurora additionally demonstrated how autonomous trucks can be monetised more quickly through a shared 'as-a-service' model.
4. "China Speed" and User-Centricity as Innovation Drivers
The innovation pressure from China was one of the most discussed topics. The speed, risk acceptance, and user focus there create an environment where SDVs become market-ready in a very short time. Maria Anhalt from Elektrobit described the development in Asia as faster, more experimental, and user-oriented. Armin Prommersberger from Harman added that they think in 12-month cycles there - a time span that is already considered long from a Chinese perspective. Salil Raje from AMD called for a reduction in development times by a thousand (!) days to remain internationally competitive.
Geely's TS3 architecture is the prime example of this. With over 90% software reusability and development times under ten months, the company is setting new standards. Horizon Robotics further illustrated that Urban NOA (Navigation on Autopilot) is on the verge of a breakthrough in China - enabled by technology-savvy consumers and aggressive time-to-market strategies.
5. Consumer experiences and the shift in development rhythm
Users today expect the same responsiveness, customisability, and UX from their vehicle as from their smartphones. However, the (European) reality lags behind: even simple functions like changing a wallpaper are often not possible. Prommersberger therefore called for bolder thinking about the car. It is likely that we are no longer building machines, but robots.
Traditional product development with cycles of up to seven years is no longer sustainable in a digitised world. If a manufacturer misses an innovation cycle, they risk falling behind. The solution lies in 'Always Ready' product lines and OTA updates that continuously provide new functions. Mercedes-Benz is consistently pursuing this approach and sees the vehicle not as a finished product after production starts, but as a revenue machine through digital services.
What remains from the AEK?
The AEK 2025 demonstrated that the transformation of the automotive industry is not a one-dimensional technology project. It involves a complex interplay of software, AI, platform strategies, partnerships, and a profound cultural shift. Armin Prommersberger summed it up: Changing behaviour is much harder than changing technology. The success of SDVs will therefore be measured not only by lines of code but also by the willingness to cooperate and disrupt.
Of course, this was just a snippet of the congress's packed agenda. Many other topics - from semiconductor strategies to new business models and sustainability issues - were intensely discussed in panels, lectures, and conversations. Yet one thing became clear across all sessions: The industry has - at least according to the statements on stage - understood what is at stake and is beginning to find bold answers.
When and where will the next AEK Congress take place? The next AUTOMOBIL-ELEKTRONIK Kongress, the 30th in the event's history, will take place on 16 and 17 June 2026. Ricky Hudi invited everyone not to miss this anniversary.
This article was first published
at all-electronics.de
