Software Defined Vehicles
Automotive Wire Harness & EDS Conference
What to expect at the Bordnetzkongress 2026
On 5–6 May 2026 in Ludwigsburg, the Bordnetzkongress (Automotive Wire Harness & EDS Conference) brings together OEMs, suppliers and industry experts to address next-generation EDS architectures, high-voltage safety, automated harness production and scalable vehicle platforms.
On 5 and 6 May 2026 in Ludwigsburg, the 14ᵗʰ Bordnetzkongress (Automotive Wire Harness & EDS Conference) gathers engineers, architects, project leads and decision-makers working hands-on with electrical distribution systems. As vehicle architectures shift towards centralised platforms and software-defined vehicle concepts, wiring systems are evolving from passive infrastructure to strategic enablers of performance, safety and scalability.
The conference examines EDS system design and next-generation architectures, high-voltage distribution and protection concepts, cables, connectors and component technologies, industrialisation strategies, diagnostics, software integration and sustainability. Rather than isolating these disciplines, the Ludwigsburg event positions them as interdependent elements within increasingly complex vehicle platforms.
A headline case: The wiring architecture of the VW ID.Polo
A major highlight of the conference will be the presentation of the wiring system architecture of the new VW ID.Polo, delivered shortly after the vehicle’s world premiere.
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Dr. Rainer Kühne, Head of Wiring Systems, Volkswagen, together with Thomas Kost, CTO, Sumitomo Electric Bordnetze, will present “ID.Polo – Facts, Figures and Innovations on the Wiring System”. In the opening session, they will provide first-hand insight into architecture decisions, high-voltage integration strategies and implementation challenges.
Melanie Sohnemann, Head of Subdivision Development of Wiring System Components and Power Distribution, Volkswagen, will contribute “Modular Connection Systems from an OEM Perspective”, outlining how modular connection strategies influence scalability and cost structures.
Alfonso Cuesta, Functional Safety Manager, Volkswagen, and Tim Klatt, Software Engineer, Volkswagen, will present “A Smart Safety Adapter as a Cost-efficient Enabler for ISO 26262-Compliant and Highly Automated Steering in Existing Architectures”, demonstrating how safety concepts can be embedded within established platforms.
Architecture evolution and data-driven development
As architectures become more centralised, wiring harness concepts must adapt accordingly. Ingo Busche, Concept Development and Robust Design of Wiring Harness, Audi, will present “Project Completion of Next2OEM – Insights into Digitized and Automated Wiring Harness Production and Assembly”, providing practical insight into digitalised and automated harness production.
Bastian Eisenmann and Martin Baumann, both Development Engineers at BMW, will discuss “Data-driven Development of Electronic Power Distributors”, examining analytics-driven development strategies.
Roberto Diesel, Vice President Energy Systems and Drivetrain, EDAG Engineering, will present “Future Ready Energy: Architecture for HV/LV Powernets in SDV Applications”, focusing on structural implications for SDV-based platforms.
High-voltage distribution and component innovation
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Dr. Stefan Müller, Engineering Leadership for Next Gen eMobility, Power Distribution, Charging Technologies & HV Battery Systems, Dräxlmaier, will address “Scalable Electronic Power Distribution in Customer-specific Wiring Systems”. Lutz Schmittat, Head of Electromechanics E-Mobility, Dräxlmaier, will present “Integration Hierarchy First: How Early Decisions Prevent Costs, EMS, and Thermal Challenges in Charging Paths”.
Martin Hager, Director of Center of Competence Mechanics for ECUs, Robert Bosch, together with Helmut Pritz, MD Elektronik GmbH, will introduce “HF-integrated Multi-hybrid Conn4ector Systems for Future E/E-Architecture”. Marc-Antoine Marcellin, Business Developer, ARKEMA, High Performance Polymers, will present “High Performance Polymers for Busbars Insulation”. Thomas Lorenz, Technical Specialist, One Mobility Autokabel, will discuss “Consistent Use of Aluminium for LV and HV Contact Systems”.
Dr. Svenja Müller, Director Produktmanagement, TE Connectivity, and Dr. Marcella Oberst, Manager Product Engineering, TE Connectivity, will present “Bolted High-current Connections in Electromobility – Market Overview and the New VDI Guideline 2231”. Woo-Sik Chung, Global Business Development Manager, will introduce “Innovative Laser Welding Process of Cables for Power Electronics”.
Automated manufacturing of wiring harnesses
For the first time, the conference introduces a dedicated expert panel discussion on “Automated Manufacturing of Wiring Harnesses”. It will bring industry leaders together to address how wiring architectures will evolve in centralised vehicle platforms, what this implies for high-voltage safety concepts and how production and automation strategies must adapt.
Bernd Weiss, Wiring Harness Process and Tool Development at Mercedes-Benz, and Christian Infanger, Director Product Group Harness Assembly at Komax, will present “A Giant Leap Towards Automated Manufacturing”. Lukas Knak, AI Expert, TUM Robotics, together with Jan Olson, Konstantin Sommer and Tom Heitmann, will present “From Design to Action: Enabling End-to-End Robotic Wire Harness Assembly”.
Jann Warnecke, Researcher and PhD candidate at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, together with his university colleague Simon Lamprecht, whose research focuses on manufacturing automation and production system design, will present “Unlocking Disruptive Potential: Strategic Research for the Future of Wire Harness Manufacturing & Development in Cars and Trucks”.
Martin Stier, Head of Market Development at Telsonic, and Lutz Lehmann, Project Manager Digitalisation at Telsonic, will present “TelsoAssist: A Holistic Approach to Zero-defect Production – Error Prevention and Detection in Ultrasonic Metal Welding”.
Functional safety, digital continuity and validation
Jens Warmuth, Group Manager, Fraunhofer IIS, will present “Automatically Assessing the Functional Safety of a Vehicle Electrical System”. Serkan Akinci, Technical Leader & Vehicle Fire Investigator, Ford Otosan & Nursan, will present “A Method to Prevent Corrosion on Grounding Eyelets – Dip Soldering”.
Lars Wunderlich, Principal Field Application Engineer, Vector Informatik, will present “Connected Change: Transforming Wiring Harness Development Through Data Continuity”. Thiruvenkata Babuji Baskaran, Global Functional Leader Mechanical, Molex, will present “Virtual Validation through Digital Twin for Connectors”.
Patricia Cavaco, Yazaki EMEA, will present “Sustainability as a Strategic Lever in the Automotive Industry: Regulation, Geopolitics and the Transformation of Global Value Chains”.
By integrating architecture design, high-voltage safety, automated harness production and digital validation within one framework, the Ludwigsburg event positions electrical distribution systems as a core enabler of next-generation vehicle platforms. It reflects a broader transition: from component optimisation towards system-level engineering and scalable industrialisation. The latest event updates are available via the official LinkedIn page: AWH Conferences I Ludwigsburg & Detroit.
