“Ensuring data trustworthiness involves three key aspects” As vehicle architectures grow more complex and energy-hungry, power distribution is becoming a strategic challenge. Martin Baumann, Development Engineer at BMW, explains how data-driven methods are changing electronic power distributor design. Benjamin Müller
How BMW makes its hydrogen model production-ready A flat hydrogen tank system, up to 750 km range and Gen6 battery compatibility: BMW is positioning the iX5 Hydrogen as a fuel-cell variant that fits its broader EV architecture rather than a separate technical outlier. Andrea Hoffmann-Topp
Infineon prioritises AI and SDVs in 2026 Infineon enters fiscal year 2026 with stable quarterly figures while strategically sharpening its focus on AI data centres, software-defined vehicles and physical AI. The shift requires substantial investment. Dr. Martin Large
These Infineon chips power BMW’s Neue Klasse With the iX3, BMW launches the Neue Klasse and a new E/E architecture. Four central computers consolidate vehicle functions, powered by Infineon Aurix microcontrollers, Ethernet components and digital fuses. Dr. Martin Large
Hydrogen mobility: What will determine success now Hydrogen mobility appears technically close to series production, yet its economic viability remains fragile. Between subsidies, TCO and infrastructure gaps, five interlinked factors will determine large-scale adoption – and the most decisive one is currently the most expensive. Andrea Hoffmann-Topp
Why in-car gaming is more than entertainment As 2026 unfolds, in-car gaming is emerging as a proving ground for SDVs, exposing which OEMs can translate digital architecture into tangible user experiences. This overview examines how different manufacturers approach gaming as a platform feature, cloud service or architectural showcase. Ronja Schmiedchen
VDA and Eclipse Foundation expand SDV software ecosystem The Eclipse Foundation and Germany’s automotive industry association VDA are significantly expanding their open-source ecosystem for SDVs. Their S-CORE initiative aims to create a shared software foundation that reduces development effort and shortens time to market. ADT editorial team
“A new mobility system will emerge” In connected-car innovation, Chinese OEMs are increasingly setting the pace – and the traditional automotive world has much to learn. CAM-Expert Stefan Bratzel explains why autonomous driving is becoming the decisive success factor. ADT editorial team
Who is leading the shift to bidirectional charging? As EVs evolve into flexible home and grid storage units, more manufacturers are adopting bidirectional charging. Here is how leading OEMs approach the technology — and what opportunities it opens for customers and energy systems. ADT editorial team
Percepio partners with BMW to boost software performance Percepio and BMW are joining forces to improve real-time software performance in next-generation vehicles. The Swedish software developer provides key insights that support scalability, reliability, and faster development of Software-Defined Vehicles. Benjamin Müller
How IT solutions help carmakers accelerate transformation From connected factories to cloud-driven vehicle development: digital tools and services have become a foundational element of the automotive industry. Here’s how new IT solutions help manufacturers boost efficiency, reduce risks and accelerate innovation. ADT editorial team
When the car picks up the bill As mobility becomes more digital, tokenisation offers new ways to manage payments, component histories and vehicle identities. German manufacturers are now testing blockchain to bring these concepts into real operations. ADT editorial team
Chinese brands force Europe to rethink its strategy Chinese manufacturers now set the pace in connected-car innovation, yet German OEMs still hold important advantages. The decisive question will be how quickly they can convert these strengths into competitive progress. ADT editorial team
“Driving simulators have emerged as indispensable development tools” As vehicles become more software-defined, advanced virtualization and driver-in-the-loop simulation are transforming how new functions are developed and validated. BMW’s Dr Chantal Himmels and Robert Siwy discuss how human-centered simulation accelerates innovation and ensures safety. Benjamin Müller
BMW and E.ON launch first bidirectional customer offering With vehicle-to-grid, the electric car becomes part of the energy system: The BMW iX3 can not only receive electricity but also feed it back into the grid. BMW and E.ON are thus bringing a commercial V2G offering for private customers to Germany for the first time. Ronja Schmiedchen
What does a Battery Production Data Scientist do? The high-voltage battery is considered the most important differentiating feature in electric cars. BMW uses highly intelligent data-driven systems in battery production. To ensure these become more sophisticated, there are people like Patrick Zimmermann. Chris Löwer
China Speed in the Automotive Industry – How Can We Keep Up? China is redefining the pace of development in the automotive industry. AEK 2025 shows the structures, technologies, and strategies Chinese manufacturers are using to set standards in SDV and the implications for Europe. Sabine Synkule
What Car Manufacturers Expect from the Chief AI Officer After the CDO comes the CAIO. In the executive suites of car manufacturers like Mercedes or GM, there are now AI directors who are supposed to transform processes and culture across the company. But the pressure to succeed is high - the CAIO must deliver, and quickly. Yannick Tiedemann
This is why BMW relies on Momenta in China BMW is collaborating with the Chinese ADAS specialist Momenta to develop driver assistance systems for the Chinese market - tailored to local conditions, complemented by global collaborations. Timo Gilgen
The Future of Artificial Intelligence in the Automotive Industry At the AUTOMOBIL-ELEKTRONIK Kongress 2025, AI was one of the central topics and appeared in many forms: as a driver of technical innovation, as a risk, and as a key to new vehicle concepts. What the speakers said about the topic. Dr. Martin Large
Is AI a Curse or a Blessing for Cybersecurity? While AI offers potential for risk detection, it also increases the range of cyber threats. We explain why the connected car is so vulnerable to digital attacks and whether AI is more of an opportunity or a risk for cybersecurity. Ronja Schmiedchen
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. ADT editorial team
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
