2011 SUMMARY

In the morning, IAC 2011 started with an opening of the Automotive Exhibition inside the Auditorium, together with the opening of the Vehicle Demonstration Area. While queues were forming at the registration desk, the project partners of SPITS welcomed their special guests for a VIP program. Using a hybrid tram on tires, the unique intelligent traffic technologies developed within the SPITS project, were presented and demonstrated.

At 10.30 hrs. IAC 2011 was officially opened by Mr. Harry Henssen, Managing Director of the Automotive Technology Centre, who briefly reflected the historical growth of the International Automotive Congress to its present status today. The chairman of the day, Mr. Carlo van de Weijer, Vice President Traffic Solutions at TomTom and Leader Strategic Area Smart Mobility at Eindhoven University of Technology, gave a entertaining opening speech about the challenges and opportunities for mobility in the Netherlands.

Dr.-Ing. Claus Ehlers, Director Society, Vehicle Concepts and Human Factors at Daimler AG, continued with a presentation about the Daimler approach towards a future with smart and sustainable mobility, ranging from the application of BlueEFFICIENCY technologies, the F-Cell World Drive, to new mobility concepts such as car2gether and car2go.

Mr. Akihito Tanke, Executive Advisor to President, Energy research Group at Toyota Motor Europe, presented Toyota’s Perspective of Future Powertrains & Smart Mobility. He explained three important focus areas for Future Powertrains (improvement of powertrain efficiency, energy management and reduction of vehicle load) and concluding with Toyota’s vision on future urban mobility.

The final keynote presentation was given bij Mr. Martin Thoone, Vice President Global Electronics Engineering at TRW Automotive. He explained the market trends for Smart Mobility including legislation and regulations, and concluded with the potential contribution of integrated electronics to fuel economy.

After the plenary session all guests were invited for a high-quality lunch between the stands at the company exhibition and at the vehicle demonstration area outside. Participants could watch and experience over 20 heavy-duty and light-duty vehicles, equipped with innovative vehicle technologies, hybrid or full electric powertrains, intelligent traffic systems and autonomous or cooperative driving technologies.

In the afternoon, the participants had the opportunity to attend scientific lectures divided over four parallel sessions. The topics that were discussed ranged from Electric Corner Modules, Efficient Engine Technology, Platforms for Cooperative Driving to Smart Mobility Applications.

At the end of the first day, all applicants and the winner of the ATC Innovation Award 2011 was presented. Styron Netherlands has won the competition for the best recent Dutch automotive innovation with the development of a blow molded seat back with integrated functionality. Subsequently, the winner of the Grand Cooperative Driving Challenge, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology with their car AnnieWAY, presented their technology and achievements to the audience.

After some drinks and snacks between the stands at the company exhibition and at the vehicle demonstration area outside, approximately 75 guests attended the exclusive conference dinner at the University Club. While enjoying a Michelin star, five-course meal, they could discuss their impressions of the first congress day in a comfortable setting with a relaxing ambiance.

Tuesday May 17, 2011

In the morning of the second congress day, the participants were invited to attend another four parallel sessions about Future Powertrains and Smart Mobility. The European Project ENEVATE was officially launched and scientific lectures were given about Electric Drivetrain technology, Vehicle Communication Technology and Driver Assistance Applications.

With a brief introduction by the Chairman of the day, Mr. Loek van Seeters, Assistant Chief Engineer at PACCAR DAF Trucks, the program continued with a plenary session containing another three keynotes. Prof.Dr. Wolfgang Steiger, Director of Future Technologies at Volkswagen Group and Chairman of the European Road Transport Research Advisory Council – ERTRAC, gave a very nice overview of the societal challenges for European Sustainable Mobility: Decarbonization, Reliability, Safety & Security and Global Competitiveness.

Mr. Candido Peterlini, Director Product Design and Innovation at FIAT Group Automobiles S.p.A, presented a very refreshing view on the future of mobility and how we are entering a new phase of connecting devices. He explained that FIAT is trying to integrate the car into the digital life of the consumer. As an example he presented the results of FIAT ecoDrive: an innovative application that helps drivers improve their skills by analysing their driving style based on in-car telemetry data.

The last keynote presentation was given by Mr. Engelbert Wimmer, Global Head of Manufacturing Industries Practice at PA Consulting Group. He took the audience on a rollercoaster, explaining a number of technical and economic challenges that need to be solved before we are able to establish a more sustainable mobility environment.

After the plenary session all guests were again invited for a lunch between the stands at the company exhibition and at the vehicle demonstration area outside. At 14.00 hrs. the participants had the opportunity to attend scientific lectures discussing the topics Batteries and Battery management, Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, Human factors for Cooperative Driving and Benefits for Cooperative Driving.

The 8th International Automotive Congress was concluded with two very entertaining panel discussions about the main topics: Future Powertrains and Smart Mobility. Moderated by Mr. Fred Welschen, Chairman of the Federation Holland Automotive, the expert panel members were challenged with several statements and received a number of questions from the audience. After the official closure of IAC 2011 at the end of this final plenary session, the participants enjoyed some last drinks and snacks.