Software Defined Vehicles
Interview with Nino Romano, Chief Technology Officer at Aumovio
Transformation at China Speed
7 min
In September 2025, Continental’s automotive division was spun off and listed on the stock exchange under the new name Aumovio. We spoke with Nino Romano, CTO at Aumovio, about the reasons behind the spin-off, the new opportunities it creates, China Speed, SDVs, autonomous driving, and much more.
Mr. Romano, how is business?
Business is going well, and there is strong confidence across the organization. The launch of Aumovio provides the speed and flexibility needed in a market undergoing rapid transformation. The necessary innovative strength is in place, and despite the current weakness in the automotive industry, business performance has been adjusted and cashflow stabilised. Capital markets have also recognised that growth at Aumovio exceeds that of vehicle production. With the €1.5 billion in cash provided by Continental at the outset, we have the best foundation to succeed as Aumovio. Although we officially only launched on 18 September 2025 at the stock exchange, the company was already present at IAA Mobility in Aumovio colours and branding. Everything fits – the direction, the momentum, and the spirit.
Why do you believe Aumovio is better positioned than Continental’s former electronics division?
Aumovio is now inherently more flexible. Continental’s Supervisory Board recognised that the Tyres and ContiTech divisions operate in entirely different businesses with different requirements. The market demands a different level of performance, and such a conglomerate cannot meet all expectations equally well. The electronics business, which Aumovio now represents, operates at a fundamentally different speed. This also enables us to respond more effectively to the transformation that has been shaping the market for several years. Customers trust our expertise because we are not just a supplier, but a partner. Together, we develop architecture and system solutions across all regions worldwide.
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At the AEK (Automobil-Elektronik Kongress) 2025, “China Speed” was mentioned unusually often…
…and that is where we also need to get to. Not everything has to move fast, but there are many elements that do require speed - and China has mastered this exceptionally well. A strong example of “China speed” is how quickly AI has been integrated into vehicles there. Another is the pace at which autonomous driving is being brought to market. This is the speed we need to embrace and carry forward, though not everywhere, because speed does not mean being careless or taking unnecessary risks.
At Aumovio, our heritage stands for high quality—not only in safety systems—and we remain fully committed to that standard. We are well aware of the challenge of balancing speed and quality, and this is exactly where we focus on clear structures and technological excellence.
This is also an area where we want to learn a great deal from China. We will continue to strengthen our development sites there in order to serve the Chinese market even better locally. At the same time, what we learn in China must benefit our global operations. When insights and experience flow from Europe to China, that is already a form of knowledge transfer - but what used to be a one-way street has now become truly bidirectional. It is a process of give and take. This is where the real art lies, and I am confident that with our innovative capabilities and our regional setup, we can achieve the right balance.
Can you give an example of where we Europeans can learn from China?
A classic example is artificial intelligence and its rollout. The discussion about how we can introduce AI more quickly is also taking place at a European level. There are numerous regulations that need to be reviewed collectively, and China may simply be taking a more pragmatic approach in this area. China also has processes in place for quality, cybersecurity, and functional safety management - but these processes tend to be executed in a smarter and more efficient way.
This raises the question of whether Europe is truly ready to tackle these challenges in a similarly smart and fast manner. There are signs pointing towards “yes, we are ready.” As Europeans, we bring a great deal of experience and structure through our processes and requirements, built up over 70 years of automotive development and embedded in our engineering practices. However, the sheer number of these requirements has now reached a point where we realize we cannot simply implement everything we have learned. This is precisely where a smarter approach is needed.
Today, customers communicate their expectations through specifications that we are required to work through—but these specifications have grown to an enormous scale. As a result, we now use AI to analyze requests that often contain around 50,000 individual requirements, allowing us to focus on the truly relevant changes and move faster, especially when elements recur.
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The industry is moving towards the SDV. What does that mean for Aumovio?
All systems must be adapted – or redeveloped where necessary – to align with the software-defined vehicle concept. The brake system is an excellent example: from standard callipers with ESC technology to true brake-by-wire. As early as 2016, the MK C1 introduced a genuine brake-by-wire solution with only a hydraulic fallback layer. Today, semi-dry brake systems are becoming more common in volume models, connecting brakes to the pedal electrically rather than hydraulically. Variants include fully hydraulic systems, semi-dry systems with electromechanical rear brakes and hydraulic front brakes, and fully dry systems with electromechanical callipers on both axles. All of these systems already align well with SDV requirements. Looking ahead, brake, electric drive and suspension have been integrated into a compact corner module with a pure by-wire interface, demonstrating that significant technological progress is still possible even in areas considered mature. The technology is powertrain-independent – suitable for EVs, hybrids and combustion engines – and because every vehicle needs a brake system, the solutions remain universally relevant.
What is happening in electronics for the SDV?
The SDV is increasingly becoming reality. When an OEM launches a completely new platform, the transition to SDV is naturally simpler. Yet in most cases, platforms still contain elements of classic system architecture, resulting in vehicles that combine traditional electronics with zonal controllers and high-power computing systems. Aumovio is positioned to support all these architectures. This is a major advantage, as the organisation masters both central computing concepts and the traditional setup with more than 100 ECUs per vehicle.
What is happening at Aumovio regarding software?
The core architecture and essential building blocks for both software and electronics are already established. The importance of software is fully recognised, and resources have been aligned accordingly. Aumovio understands the vehicle and can integrate software systems – ideally with matching hardware. With deep interface knowledge and strong telematics solutions, the organisation provides the necessary over-the-air capabilities, including OTA updates. Fully centralised platforms will take years to become widespread, but participation across the entire transition, is assured. The SDV provides the basis for additional functionalities; once a vehicle can be controlled centrally, subsystems and even autonomous driving functions can be integrated. Software-controlled braking, propulsion and chassis systems are gradually entering production. The SDV is the future of the automotive industry, and Aumovio is exceptionally well positioned to deliver on it. With a focused portfolio and strong system expertise, the company supports OEMs in critical functions such as operating systems, integration performance, driver assistance and safety. Software products from Aumovio are already deployed in billions of vehicles worldwide – a strong foundation for the connected vehicle of the future.
What developments do you see in infotainment and personalisation?
Vehicle personalisation is a major trend, with infotainment at its core. AI enables entirely new approaches to touch-and-feel concepts: screens remain clean, change colour and present different content. The key is a holistic design philosophy. A pillar-to-pillar display across the entire vehicle width is impressive, but requires extensive design and manufacturing expertise – an area in which Aumovio has long been active in. Interior lighting will advance significantly, and external visual communication will play an increasingly important role, particularly from Level 3 onwards. In China, people already use their vehicles as a second living room during lunch breaks, enjoying films and the interior environment. This trend is influencing global markets. The Ac2ated Sound concept, which uses vehicle surfaces as resonators, is now entering production and offers a unique acoustic experience.
The demand for personalisation is driven by customer expectations for rapid updates and frequent new features. This trend is irreversible. The human–vehicle interface is changing dramatically. Images can now be projected onto side windows, allowing the user experience to begin outside the car. Before a door is opened, the vehicle can display relevant information such as the state of charge of an EV. Personalised elements, such as sports club emblems, are entirely feasible. By linking data on location, habits, preferences and sensor information, meaningful personalised content can be presented. The era of three-year update cycles is over; vehicles now receive frequent updates. The central principle today is that a vehicle should improve after purchase, not depreciate. OTA makes this possible – and requires clear separation of hardware and software.
In the SDV, hardware and software often come from different suppliers. How do you ensure seamless interaction?
Customers choose where to source sensors, electronics and software, and Aumovio supports them in doing so. Suppling software is a major advantage in the hardware business because understanding the systems allows for more effective electronic design. Expertise spans both hardware and software – a major advantage over pure software providers. There is deep understanding of ADAS requirements, central computing needs, sensor integration and mechatronic components such as the cockpit, centre stack and interior. Powertrain expertise from the Vitesco heritage remains strong. Motion controller software components enable centralised control of braking, propulsion and suspension for both combustion vehicles and EVs.
How is the cooperation with Aurora progressing on autonomous trucks?
Since May, the first driverless trucks from Aurora have been operating on public roads in Texas, demonstrating the maturity of the technology. Aumovio will supply the complete sensor systems and the comprehensive fallback driving system, including software, ensuring that the truck can always stop safely, even in unusual situations. Series production with significant volumes is planned for 2027. Final fine-tuning, design verification and detailed production planning are currently under way.
You supply hardware as a service – what does that mean in concrete terms?
The aim is to ensure that the technology in the driverless truck is always operational. The necessary hardware is supplied, monitored and maintained; updates and repairs are carried out as required. This model guarantees high uptime without a driver. The more miles the truck drives autonomously, the more revenue is generated. This “pay-per-mile” approach is highly relevant, future-focused and enables value creation directly on the road.
You spoke about transformation and speed. How do you intend to achieve this?
The required transformation speed relies heavily on partnerships, particularly with start-ups. Customer requirements are well understood, but full implementation of all technologies draws on external expertise. Collaboration is essential across hardware, software and AI. Innovation is not only a product but also a process. Active innovation scouting is undertaken by our start-up organization co-pace. Depending on the situation, this may lead to technical cooperation, investment or full acquisition. Innovation in development processes and toolchains is also crucial, and significant emphasis is placed here through strong partnerships.
