AEK 2025: SDV, AI & Mega-Alliances in Focus 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. Dr. Martin Large
“Industry Collaboration and Internal R&D are Decisive” How can OEMs balance cost, performance, and sustainability in battery development? Dr. Juliane Kluge, Head of Cell Chemistry and Methods at BMW, shares insights ahead of her keynote at the Automotive Battery Conference 2025. Benjamin Müller
When the IoT Becomes the Weakness The use of more sensors, IoT devices, and OTA updates simultaneously creates increasingly risky security vulnerabilities. From the perspective of cybersecurity experts, it is almost impossible to prevent more serious consequences in the long term. Daniela Hoffmann
“The new iDrive system epitomizes the concept of a software-defined vehicle” At AEK 2025, Stephan Durach presented BMW’s Panoramic iDrive. In this interview, he explains how shy-tech controls, head-up projection, and a customizable interface redefine human-machine interaction in the software-defined cockpit. Benjamin Müller
Automotive Industry Collaborates More Closely on Software Development Eleven renowned OEMs and suppliers have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate more closely on non-differentiating vehicle software in the coming years. A first open-source-based core stack is expected to be available by 2026. Yannick Tiedemann
Live Ticker for the Automobil-Elektronik Kongress 2025 (AEK) On 24th and 25th June, the Automobil-Elektronik Kongress 2025 took place in Ludwigsburg. Industry decision-makers discussed developments in automotive electronics, SDV, and AI. Here you’ll find a chronological overview of what happened. Benjamin Müller
These are the data architectures BMW and Kuka rely on The use of GenAI accelerates the availability of information. However, it also requires a different data quality and availability. Only in this way can AI knowledge systems be created on one's own data that do not hallucinate. Daniela Hoffmann
What’s ahead at the Automotive Battery Conference 2025? On July 9–10, 2025, the 7th edition of “The Automotive Battery – Key Technology for Electric Vehicles” will take place at the SZ Tower in Munich. The event delivers deep industry insight, strategic guidance, and networking opportunities for professionals in the automotive battery ecosystem. Benjamin Müller
This was the Automotive Software Strategies Conference 2025 The 6th Automotive Software Strategies Conference brought global industry leaders to Munich for two days of in-depth presentations and strategic insights. The event focused on SDVs, the adoption of Rust, monetisation models, AI in development, and the evolving software supply chain. Benjamin Müller
“We must avoid over-regulation” In the run-up to the ChargeTec Conference, we posed three questions to Alexander Funke, Expert Energy Markets at BMW. The 5th edition of the international event will take place on 27 and 28 May 2025 in Munich, Funke is one of the speakers. Benjamin Müller
This was the 13th Conference Bordnetze im Automobil The 13th Conference Bordnetze im Automobil (Automotive Wire Harness & EDS 2025) brought the industry back to Ludwigsburg. International industry experts gathered in the tranquil town near Stuttgart to explore the latest innovations in vehicle wiring systems, E/E architectures, and Software-Defined Vehicles. Benjamin Müller
These are the Strategies for the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) It is now important to consider Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV) more holistically. After all, completely new business models are associated with them. Who is adopting which strategy? Andrea Hoffmann-Topp
Volkswagen brings Pac-Man into the vehicle Volkswagen is further expanding the gaming offering in selected models. From now on, Pac-Man is available to play on the infotainment display in the parked vehicle via the optional In-Car app AirConsole. The smartphone serves as the controller. Benjamin Müller
What's Behind BMW's Heart of Joy? The heart of BMW's Neue Klasse is set to bring a new joy of driving. The fundamental idea is based on four high-performance computers - the Heart of Joy is one of them. Can the Munich team also convince petrolheads with this? Thomas Geiger
BMW and Alibaba Deepen Strategic Partnership in China BMW and Alibaba announced an expanded partnership in China, accelerating the integration of Alibaba’s Qwen large language model into BMW’s Neue Klasse models. This collaboration is part of BMW’s strategy of increasing cooperation with Chinese tech companies. Benjamin Müller
New Perspectives for BMW Drivers A quarter-century after the iDrive, BMW is initiating the next revolution in the cockpit and introducing a new user interface with the Neue Klasse. Development chief Frank Weber aims to open the eyes of not only customers but also the competition. Thomas Geiger
Cars Become the Gaming Hotspots of the Future Cars are no longer just means of transportation: OEMs are pushing in-car gaming to the limit with new technologies. Thanks to innovative platforms and clever collaborations, the vehicle becomes a digital playground. Werner Beutnagel
Which Car Manufacturer is Leading in Autonomous Driving? Car manufacturers are technologically inching closer to fully autonomous vehicles. In our overview, you will learn which functions are already available in series and what the current state of development is. Timo Gilgen
