CEO & Founder, German AutoLabs
Holger Weiss, CEO & Founder, German AutoLabs
Q: What interested you about joining the Advisory Board for AutoTech: Europe?
A: There are fundamentally two aspects - first of all I am a digital automotive guy. In 2000 we started to build our first startup in the area of GPS navigation. This company was later acquired by Nokia and was developed into HERE technology which is today the essential map layer of the entire automotive industry. Afterwards I was involved in the first in-vehicle streaming solutions and today I am developing voice AI solutions for professional drivers. So, I have a natural addiction to everything that is being discussed at the Autotech event. And secondly I am closely connected to the Event. I started to moderate panels back in 2010 and ever since I worked closely with the team.
Q: What hot topics are you exploring most in the automotive sector currently?
A: I would say that the 'hot' topics of the past years are still hot but starting to become reality. For me this is less autonomous driving but e-mobility, battery and charging technology.
Q: Are there any examples of a product or service from outside of the automotive industry that you have taken inspiration from? What was it, and how was it inspirational?
A: Yes, of course. The product cycles of the app economy are still what sets the pace in update cycles. Of course vehicles cannot be updated like an app - but we are almost there. This evolution was unthinkable a few years ago.
Q: In what way can automakers build a more strategic business through shared learnings with a third party?
A: I can see that many automakers have changed the way they are handling innovation these days. The German Automakers for example measured their level of innovation many years in counting the numbers of patents they hold. Today they are seeking for shared innovation approaches also with smaller companies. This is good for the OEMs and for their partners.
Q: How can automakers connect future visions with the reality of current applications and technology?
A: OEMs are sometimes lacking an iterative process to test things and improve them or cancel the development. This has of course a lot to do with the fact that you don't start selling a car to stop it if it's not successful. However, I believe that iterative development is something which OEMs are really lacking.