Almost 20 years with VECS – what is your best memory from the event?
It was when Larry Humm from Aptiv looked back on “everything” he had been involved in from the first Radars at Hughes for cars up until ADAS for XC90. That put a very good perspective on the entire ADAS technology domain. So many parallels to today’s strategy discussions.
How has VECS helped you with new contacts and business opportunities?
I have given a few talks myself and it usually attracts people that are interested in the same topic. I think I have at least initiated a few research projects in the aftermath of the conference. Mostly though, I have been moderating and the contacts I get with the speakers have really taught me a lot. Sometimes it has led to long lasting friendship but also business opportunities, either for myself or for someone that I already know. Now recently Auke Swaan from last year has almost become a frequent flyer to Sweden because of his deep knowledge in Cyber Security. He gave a great talk! I look forward to seeing him this year too.
What topic at this year’s event are you mostly looking forward to?
Beside listening to Alwin Bakkenes from Volvo Cars I look forward to Tove Andersson’s talk in my “own” track. Her insight in the ADAS/AD business is paramount. I also look forward to listening to Andreas Reschka from Pony.ai. Andreas has a very interesting background from the AD-world including working for Zoox. But if I may say, the entire track is just… an extremely good line up!
How will the future develop for VECS you think?
One thing I have learn throughout these years is that there will come new and exciting areas to focus on. Where people really are curious about how others think and address a problem or a possibility. I think we will also attract more international audience as we are really on the forefront of many technical advances in the Gothenburg region.
What do you want to see at the event for the upcoming years?
I want to see a higher diversity of the participants at the event. Well, beside that… maybe one idea would be to have a track for “emerging tech” as well as a “short” track on a more academic level. For example, I was involved in the real and original X-By-Wire research in the nineties, but it was not until recently we see this happening on a broader level. It would have been great to have had the tech leaders from todays “X-By-Wire” presenting their result.
Some final thoughts?
Well, I am very excited and look forward to these two days…a lot!