PRE-EVENTS
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.
Welcome & Introduction
Overview of the Defence Industry Ecosystem
Understanding the defence industry: players, structures, markets
Special features of the defence industry – requirements and expectations
Q&A
Procurement Requirements – Defense Sector
Q&A
Lunch Break & Networking
Ukraine – A Shortcut into Defence Industry
Q&A
How to Enter and Succeed in the Defence Sector (in coordination)
Q&A
Coffee Break & Networking
Automotive goes Defence – An Opportunity for a Turning Point
Q&A
Venturing into the Defence Space: Regulatory Do’s and Don’ts
Q&A
Joint Discussion with the afternoon speakers
End of the Pre-Day
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.
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
Lunch Break
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
Coffee Break
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)
