Interview with Nino Romano, CTO of Continental Automotive, soon to be AUMOVIO

1. Mr. Romano, in your opinion, what key trends are currently shaping developments in your field?

The automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation. It is crucial to recognize how dynamic the most important trend of our time really is: how rapidly the automobile is evolving into a software-defined vehicle. It is important not only to keep up with the ever-faster pace of new trends, innovations, and standards, but also to actively drive this development forward. To this end, we at Continental are now undergoing a groundbreaking realignment. In September, our Automotive division is expected to complete its transformation into an independent, publicly traded company called AUMOVIO.

This means nothing but advantages for our customers. The new automotive powerhouse AUMOVIO combines the bundled expertise of Continental Automotive in a lean, agile corporate structure. This enables us to bring groundbreaking solutions for the key technology fields of tomorrow's mobility to series production in an even more targeted, faster, and customer-oriented manner. By this, I mean innovations for the software-defined vehicle, safe driving, inspiring user experiences, seamless connectivity, and autonomous driving functions.

The shift of development steps to the cloud and the exponentially growing importance of AI applications for mobility are also crucial. And, of course, key technologies such as state-of-the-art braking systems or the development of intelligent sensor systems, efficient E/E architectures, and, last but not least, assistance systems that make driving safer and more comfortable.

2. How important is IAA MOBILITY as a platform for promoting innovative ideas and collaborations?

Before every mobility trade fair, I keep hearing that the format of a physical technology show for automotive companies has somehow become obsolete. I see it quite differently. Honestly, I always look forward to IAA MOBILITY. I look forward to interacting with our customers' colleagues, exciting startups, politicians, the public, and even our competitors. IAA MOBILITY is the most important networking platform in Europe for automotive companies. It is also the central stage for technologies in all key areas: software-defined vehicles, automated driving, artificial intelligence, and innovative interior concepts for a new user experience.

3. What practical applications and collaborations do you expect to see highlighted at IAA MOBILITY?

IAA MOBILITY offers an excellent platform for showcasing existing technology partnerships and providing new impetus for future collaborations. The focus will be on innovative applications involving cloud and AI technologies, such as those being developed in collaboration with companies like Amazon Web Services and Google.

In addition, IAA MOBILITY is a central forum for exchange on the future of mobility. Among other things, the focus is on innovations from major OEMs in various key areas: for example, in the demonstration of semi-autonomous Level 3 and Level 4 systems, in the presentation of new vehicle architectures for software-defined vehicles, and in the integration of cloud and AI technologies. In addition to the major players, it is young companies and start-ups in particular that are attracting attention with visionary concepts for the mobility of tomorrow. This is often where the ideas that will shape our industry in the long term originate, for example in the areas of intermodal mobility, micromobility, and smart cities.

4. What projects will you be presenting at IAA MOBILITY?

The complete list would go beyond the scope of our conversation. I can only really recommend stopping by our booth in Hall B1, where we have put together a truly exciting portfolio of innovations for the launch of AUMOVIO. We will be showcasing new developments in four forward-looking areas: “Autonomous,” “Connected,” “Safe,” and “Exciting.” The spectrum ranges from sensor ecosystems for automated vehicles and braking technologies specifically for electric vehicles to highly innovative, AI-controlled software and cyber security solutions.

It is often the seemingly inconspicuous technologies that are essential for modern, and above all sustainable, mobility. For example, we are presenting our Green Electric Caliper, an electric brake caliper that we have designed specifically for the requirements of electric vehicles. We are also showcasing our Corner Module, which combines the electric motor, braking system, steering, and suspension in a compact chassis unit for a standard passenger car for the first time. We developed the scalable drive-brake unit it contains in collaboration with the Munich-based high-tech start-up DeepDrive.

5. How can IAA MOBILITY contribute to making sustainable technologies and approaches accessible to a broad public?

The answer is implicit in the question: by making technologies accessible to the broad public and thus actively involving end customers. After all, what good are the best innovations if they only circulate within development departments but fail to meet the actual needs and interests of users? We asked vehicle users questions along these lines in the run-up to the IAA. We will present the results of our mobility monitor at the IAA and hope that they will stimulate discussion.

It is crucial to make technologies tangible through clear, understandable demonstrations that make complex content accessible. It is also important to address and clarify critical questions and ambiguities: How secure are AI systems? How reliable are self-driving cars? What happens to my data? And what does truly sustainable mobility look like – including the political and social conditions necessary to achieve it? This is exactly where IAA MOBILITY comes in: it not only provides a stage for innovation, but also a space for dialogue, education, and critical reflection.

6. How do you work with automotive manufacturers to bring innovations to the road faster?

AUMOVIO has been one of the leading partners of automotive manufacturers from the very beginning. Almost all relevant manufacturers worldwide are among our customers. Close, trusting, and cooperative partnerships on an equal footing are essential to our customer relationships. We work with our customers very early on and very closely, especially when it comes to complex development issues. This includes the development of modern electrical and electronic architectures with powerful high-performance computers, innovative zone control units, and even the use of AI systems and cloud applications in the development lab.

All this is happening against a backdrop of ever faster development cycles and, from the perspective of European industry, new competitors, particularly from China. The key to future success is to help shape key technology trends, accelerate the integration of new functions, establish platforms and modular systems in collaboration with automotive manufacturers, promote standardization, and, last but not least, tailor offerings to each market. The triad of our success is therefore: lead, transform, deliver. We want to be the technology leader, we adapt our product portfolio to customer expectations and cost structures at all times, and we deliver: tailor-made innovations for today, for tomorrow, and for sustainable mobility in the future.