Agenda 2025

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1 December 2025 | PRE-DAY

Mobility Meets Defence

Insights for the Automotive and Supplier Industry

The automotive industry is facing economic challenges. Many companies see new business opportunities in the military sector. At the same time, the technologies and experience gained in automotive development also offer potential for the military sector. The defence and armaments industry is looking for capable partners. This is creating new areas of innovation and new business opportunities for the automotive industry.

In this workshop, we provide an overview of the defence industry, its players, special features, which skills and technologies are in demand, and which can be transferred from the automotive sector (dual use). Based on experience and practical reports, we show which technical requirements, regulatory framework conditions, strategic and geopolitical aspects need to be considered.

Participants receive a compact overview of

Technological interfaces between automotive and defence
Requirements, hurdles and strategies for entering the defence industry
Cooperation with companies in the defence sector

The workshop is aimed at all functions and industries, in particular business and product development, engineering, sales and marketing, at automotive manufacturers, suppliers and development service providers who are looking for information and inspiration for product innovation and want to familiarise themselves with the potential of the defence market.

Programme

10:15

Welcome & Introduction

10:30

Overview of the Defence Industry Ecosystem

Understanding the defence industry: players, structures, markets
Special features of the defence industry – requirements and expectations

Dr Hans Christoph Atzpodien Chief Executive Officer – BDSV

11:00

Q&A

11:15

Procurement Requirements – Defense Sector

Dr Robert Weihofen VP Commodity Management Chemicals – Rheinmetall

11:45

Q&A

12:00

Lunch Break & Networking

01:00

Ukraine – A Shortcut into Defence Industry

Matthias Puschnig Oberst i. G. – German Federal Ministry of Defence

01:30

Q&A

01:45

How to Enter and Succeed in the Defence Sector (in coordination)

Daniel Zittel Head of Defence Sales – Daimler Truck AG

02:15

Q&A

02:30

Coffee Break & Networking

03:00

Automotive goes Defence – An Opportunity for a Turning Point

Antoin Abou-Haydar Head of Group Defense Office – Volkswagen AG

03:30

Q&A

03:45

Venturing into the Defence Space: Regulatory Do’s and Don’ts

Dr Christoph Patrick Goller Lawyer – Gleiss Lutz

Dr Stefan Widder Lawyers – Gleiss Lutz

04:15

Q&A

04:30

Joint Discussion with the afternoon speakers

05:00

End of the Pre-Day

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1 December 2025 | PRE-WORKSHOP

AI FUNDAMENTALS & BEST PRACTICES IN POWERTRAIN AND DEVELOPMENT

The automotive industry is under increasing pressure to deliver innovative, efficient, and sustainable drive systems in a shorter amount of time. AI can support engineering processes by improving simulation, testing, optimisation, and maintenance. In this workshop, we will explore how AI can be applied to powertrain development to reduce time to market and lower engineering costs. We will provide an overview supported by examples of how AI contributes to faster decision-making, fewer physical tests, and more efficient use of resources while maintaining high product quality.

Engineers and managers will get an overview of the basics of AI including concrete application examples during this AI-Workshop. The first segment lays out the fundamentals of AI, the different models and accompanying methods especially in machine learning. Different AI methods and their applications within drive systems and the drive system development process will be illustrated in the second segment. The topic of AI integration within an automotive company processes including the challenges and how to overcome them, will be addressed in the last segment.

10:30

Foundations of Artificial Intelligence: Concepts, Models & Methods

Core principles of AI, Machine Learning, and Generative AI
Introduction to Foundation Models, LLMs, and Agentic AI
Insights into hybrid, explainable, and trustworthy AI systems

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Philipp Slusallek Member of the Executive Board, Head of the Department Agents and Simulated Reality (ASR) – German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI)

Dr Christian Mueller Deputy Head of the Department Agents and Simulated Reality (ASR) – German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI)

12:00

Lunch Break

01:00

Applications of AI in Drive Systems and Drive Development

AI’s role in modern powertrain and R&D
Application of AI for modeling and simulation acceleration
AI methods for design optimization and calibration
AI in testing, validation, and predictive maintenance

Dr Axel Sturm Head of Innovative Vehicle Technologies – Institute for Automotive Engineering, TU Braunschweig

Fabian Notz Scientific Assistant – Institute for Automotive Engineering, TU Braunschweig

02:30

Coffee Break

03:00

Application of AI in Automotive Company Processes

Importance of GenAI in the development process
What to consider as a company for the introduction of AI in the development process
Lessons learned, typical pain points and key success factors of AI in development processes
Identification and demonstration of AI use cases (e.g. FEV GenAIHub)

Dr Dominik Lückmann Director, Motor, Hybrid & Fuel Cell Powertrains – FEV

04:30

Q&A

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2 December 2025 | Plenary Programme

08:00