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.
Bordnetzkongress 2026 at a glance
What is the Bordnetzkongress 2026?
An international conference focused on automotive wire harnesses and electrical
distribution systems (EDS), addressing next-generation architectures,
high-voltage safety, automated harness production and scalable vehicle
platforms.
When does it take place?
5–6 May 2026.
Where is the event held?
At the Forum am Schlosspark in Ludwigsburg, near Stuttgart, Germany.
Who should attend?
Engineers, system architects, project leads and decision-makers working
hands-on with electrical distribution systems in automotive development and
production.
Which topics are covered?
EDS system design, centralised vehicle architectures,
high-voltage distribution and safety, cables and connector technologies,
automated wiring harness manufacturing, digital validation, sustainability and
production scalability.
Why is the conference relevant?
Because wiring systems are becoming strategic enablers of electrified and
software-defined vehicle platforms, requiring new architectural, safety and
industrialisation approaches.
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.
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
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.
Automotive Wire Harness & EDS Conference Detroit 2026
In addition to the Ludwigsburg conference, the Automotive Wire Harness & EDS Conference is also held in the United States. The fifth US edition will take place on 20–21 October 2026 at The Henry Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan, bringing together OEMs, suppliers and engineering experts from the North American automotive ecosystem. The 2025 event already attracted representatives from major manufacturers including Ford, GM, Hyundai, Honda, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis, highlighting the growing importance of wiring architectures and electrical distribution systems in next-generation vehicle platforms. Applications for speaker contributions to the 2026 Detroit conference close on 10 April 2026.
