schubert.talks 2024

Software update for Germany’s economy: accilium’s schubert.talks explores the future of Software-Defined Vehicle development

Management and strategy consulting firm accilium hosts a pivotal discussion on the automotive industry’s transformation – with industry leaders from Audi, TÜV Süd, SODA.Auto, and Veecle addressing key innovations driving software-based vehicle development.

Berlin, November 6, 2024 – Last week, over 150 industry experts and decision-makers from the automotive, public, and startup sectors gathered for the sixth edition of schubert.talks – held for the first time in Berlin. The event’s aim was to address the urgent challenges and opportunities in software-defined vehicle (SDV) development, a topic of significant impact for Germany’s economy. The event not only attracted automotive experts but also key players across public sectors.

“With 800,000 employees, the automotive industry contributes nearly 5% to Germany’s GDP. Intense global competition, especially from China, demands radical innovation from the industry,” said Alexander Rauscher, Managing Partner at accilium. “The speed and quality of this transformation will determine whether both Germany’s automotive sector and the nation’s economy can maintain their leadership in the global marketplace.”

Reserve your spot now for schubert.talks 2025 in Vienna and Berlin!

Thu, March 13, 2025, 6:00 PM – schubert.talks VIENNA
Thu, October 23, 2025, 6:00 PM – schubert.talks BERLIN

Pre-register now

Software as a key technology: How Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV) are transforming the automotive industry

Lorenz Führlinger, Head of Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) vehicle series at Audi, together with Dr. Gjuki Tettenborn of Volkswagen and Sanjay Lal of CARIAD, leads the SDV Hub within the Volkswagen Group. In his keynote, Führlinger underscored the significance of SDVs for Germany’s economic future: “Software-Defined Vehicles are the key to innovation leadership. Our customers expect seamless integration and digital innovation – we need to rethink the car from the ground up for this.” He stressed the urgency of investing in software: “Germany’s automotive industry is a global leader, but maintaining that status won’t come easily. Only through close industry collaboration and partnerships with research institutions can we succeed in this transformation.”

The role of partnerships between established automotive manufacturers and innovative startups was highlighted in the following panel discussion. Leonhard Kühne-Hellmessen, Principal at accilium ventures, noted, “Startups need to professionalize their processes, while OEMs must be ready to fill gaps together.” Stefan Nürnberger, CEO and Co-Founder of Veecle, added, “Successful collaboration thrives on close feedback loops and clear communication. SDVs are essential for the automotive industry’s survival – without them, we risk falling behind.”

Alongside technological topics, regulatory challenges for SDVs were also addressed. Sergey Malygin, CEO of SODA.Auto, emphasized the need to avoid stifling innovation with excessive regulation: “We are currently witnessing how Chinese manufacturers are developing SDVs quickly, cost-effectively, and with innovative customer experiences. To keep up and stay within regulatory standards, we must bring SDVs to practical application rapidly, leveraging new tools and approaches.” Christian Pahlke, Head of Strategic Initiatives AI and Cybersecurity at TÜV Süd, added, “Germany may have stringent regulations, but it is not ‘backward.’ The key is in ongoing collaboration with regulatory bodies to create adaptive frameworks that evolve with the technology, allowing rapid innovation while maintaining safety standards.”

The schubert.talks series: A platform for over 150 industry experts

After five successful editions in Vienna, the schubert.talks series made its German debut in Berlin, attracting an impressive number of participants and setting important industry trends. “Over the past six years, schubert.talks have demonstrated growing interest in the future of mobility,” said Alexander Hotowy, Managing Partner at accilium. “We are thrilled to use this platform to discuss topics that are close to our hearts with an ever-wider audience.” Next year, accilium will continue the schubert.talks series in Vienna and Berlin, furthering discussions on the future of mobility.