Friedrich Niehaus is responsible for heading up projects in the field of human machine interaction including HMI for autonomous driving, V2V communication, automotive connectivity & BEVs in the Advanced Engineering Department at Daimler Trucks.

He has a background in animation, photography & design and completed his diploma in industrial design at the Stuttgart State Academy of Applied Arts in 2012. He works currently in the field of UX evaluation & Method development, researching the use of Virtual Reality in evaluation.

Our vision: offer clean, connected, affordable and sure mobility solutions. Our Company’s strength lies in the diversity and passion of our people all around the world and the rich portfolio of iconic automotive brands.

Abu Miah is a Research Analyst at ABI Research, specializing in the Smart Mobility and Automotive team. With three years of experience in research across corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues and the automotive industry, Abu has expertise in evaluating and forecasting emerging technologies in vehicles, such as in-car gaming and passenger-seat displays, and delivering actionable insights for the strategy, integration, and monetization of connected and software-defined vehicle (SDV) features. These span HMI and technology architectures, in-vehicle infotainment, and connectivity, among several other domains in the vehicle.

• The Pop in Your Job:
Being at the intersection of the technology innovators and implementers of the automotive industry has given me a lot of perspective on what is needed to bring about change. It's a fascinating time to be working in this industry and after witnessing how OEMs, Tier Ones, and other stakeholders in the industry have adapted over the last few years, I'm excited to see how we fare in the last half of this decade.

Tobias is a UX designer at CARIAD in Berlin. He has designed several generations of infotainment system UIs, particularly for Volkswagen, in the fields of visual design, UX design and concept, and UI development. At CARIAD, he discusses, decides on and develops design system components, patterns and guidelines for in-car apps of the Volkswagen Group. Together with the brands, he finds the best and most robust design solutions. Also by keeping an eye on the best practices of infotainment systems on the market, Android and the mobile app touchpoint.

Dr.-Ing. Peter Schmid is Group Leader for Technical Interface Design & Usability Methodology at the Institute of Engineering Design and Technical Design, University of Stuttgart. His expertise spans applied ergonomics, corporate design, and human-technology integration. With a strong research focus on gesture control, tactile feedback, and usability in complex environments like healthcare and automotive, he has authored multiple interdisciplinary publications. Dr. Schmid’s work bridges engineering and design, advancing intuitive and inclusive user interfaces through innovative methods and experimental validation.

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Our vision: offer clean, connected, affordable and sure mobility solutions. Our Company’s strength lies in the diversity and passion of our people all around the world and the rich portfolio of iconic automotive brands.

ABI Research is uniquely positioned at the intersection of end-market companies and technology solution providers, serving as the bridge that seamlessly connects these two segments by driving successful technology implementations and delivering strategies proven to attract and retain customers.

CARIAD is an automotive software subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. Building automotive software platforms and digital customer functions for iconic brands like Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche, CARIAD supports the Volkswagen Group in becoming the leading automotive technology company. In software centers in Germany, the USA, China, Estonia and India, around 6,000 experts work on making the automotive experience safer, more sustainable and more comfortable for everyone. The company’s products include advanced driver assistance systems, a unified infotainment platform, software functions for charging and driving performance, as well as data, backend and cloud solutions, and digital services in and around the vehicle. Well-known cars like the Volkswagen ID. Buzz and ID.7, the Audi Q6 e-tron and the Porsche Macan 4 Electric are already equipped with the latest CARIAD technology.

The Institute for Engineering Design and Industrial Design (IKTD) focuses on the holistic development of technical products by combining engineering design and industrial design. Its research areas include drive technology, methodical product development, computer-aided engineering, automotive and interface design, and interior design engineering. The institute aims to enhance innovation, quality, cost-efficiency, and time-to-market through advanced methods such as simulation, additive manufacturing, and lightweight design. Led by Professors Berendes, Kreymeier, Maier, and Remlinger, IKTD is also deeply involved in mechanical engineering education, offering a wide range of courses that blend technical expertise with user-centered design approaches.