21st Technical Congress in Berlin: artificial intelligence key for connected and automated driving

21st Technical Congress in Berlin: artificial intelligence key for connected and automated driving

(PRESS RELEASE) BERLIN, 21-Mar-2019 — /EuropaWire/ — High-level stakeholders from the industry and politics comment and share their views on mobility, transport, logistics and production, in both plenary and specific technical sessions during the second day of 21st Technical Congress in Berlin. The gathering is organized by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA).

Key topics discussed were artificial intelligence (AI) and and how it contributes to automated driving, world trade, commercial vehicles and future production, among others. Brexit remains major topic as well as the transport of tomorrow and how is digitization changing production.

According to VDA Managing Director Dr. Joachim Damasky the artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a very important role in automated driving. Commenting on connected and automated driving, Dr. Andree Hohm, Director Driverless Mobility at Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG, finds the reliable detection of the vehicle’s environment to be a key foundation for automated driving. Alexander Kraus from TÜV SÜD Auto Service GmbH thinks simulations and data-based methods must be integrated during vehicle development and enshrined in global standards. Furthermore, artificial intelligence (AI) and generating knowledge from data are the drivers of the fourth industrial revolution, according to Ulrich Schrickel from Robert Bosch GmbH.

Commentaries made by key stakeholders during the second day of the congress.

Dr. Joachim Damasky, VDA Managing Director:

“Automation and connectivity are two of the central drivers of innovation in the automotive industry. AI is also a deciding factor when it comes to deploying connected and automated vehicles in highly complex traffic situations. AI will be essential for realizing ‘Vision Zero’, that is, a future without accidents. For this vision to become reality, AI systems must evaluate digitized data. The applications become better, the more data they can evaluate.”

Dr. Damasky underlined the fact that manufacturers and suppliers drive forward the development of AI systems with the required caution.

“AI applications do not learn in an uncontrolled way. Instead the algorithm is trained because the applications will be used in safety-relevant parts of the vehicle. Moreover, they must satisfy the international regulations for approving technical vehicle systems. The German automotive industry sees huge opportunities in AI technology and is driving its development forward with care.”

Dr. Andree Hohm, Director Driverless Mobility at Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG: 

“Reliable detection of the vehicle’s environment is a key foundation for automated driving. Technology, type approval and acceptance are inextricably intertwined. Broad acceptance demands that people can trust the technology and this makes riding in a driverless car as normal as riding in a driverless elevator.”

Alexander Kraus, Senior Vice President Business Unit Automotive, TÜV SÜD Auto Service GmbH:

“Automated and connected vehicles mean that the safety checks have to be adjusted. We are working on adapting the testing methods to take account of new technological challenges and furthering their development. For this, simulations and data-based methods already have to be integrated during vehicle development and enshrined in global standards. And in the future, after market launch we will have to consider software updates and make a shift from periodic servicing to continuous servicing.”

Thorsten Freund, Vice President Sales & Services Automotive at Siemens Industry Software GmbH: 

“Our slogan is ‘Digitization path – smart and fast from today into your digitization of tomorrow,’ as we present our cutting-edge solutions for comprehensive digitization of product development and production processes in the automotive industry. We are not only using expert solutions to connect data models in the various realms of mechanics, electronics, software and automation, but we also provide the necessary IT architectures such as micro services. So we are ready to move with you into an agile world of tomorrow’s mobility. How ready are you?”

Ulrich Schrickel, Executive Vice President of Robert Bosch GmbH: 

“Artificial intelligence (AI) and generating knowledge from data are the drivers of the fourth industrial revolution. Today we are challenged by the complex and heterogeneous data architecture. Our vision is therefore to have orchestrated production ecosystems: data standards will enable efficient data analyses. Homogeneous platforms will share knowledge gained and facilitate AI. Automation will relieve the burdens on employees and allow them to obtain further training.”

Prof. Peter Gutzmer, Deputy CEO and Chief Technology Officer at Schaeffler AG: 

“The current trends are changing mobility demands and require new solutions. Schaeffler is actively shaping the change with its technologies. As a partner in the mobility industry we are developing new system solutions such as the Schaeffler Mover and the Bio-Hybrid for series production. Parallel to that, we are concentrating on fully electric powertrains, which offer the greatest growth potential. Agility and innovations ensure sustainable success. That means both developing what is already tried and tested, and breaking into new fields.”

SOURCE: German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA)